How Safe It Is To Travel and Scuba Dive In Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea may not be your typical destination but you have no idea how rewarding it is. Scuba diving in this country will be one of the best ways to spend your summer! Being a world-class dive destination with pristine coral reefs, extremely rich marine life and exotic culture, you are guaranteed to meet the warmest season of the year with full smiles. 

The country boasts its 28,000 miles (45,000kms) of reef systems. With its large size, divers report that they rarely come across with other groups – making it conducive for them to enjoy utmost privacy and the serenity of the sea. Moreover, the abundance of diverse marine life is overwhelming. Tourists can see a plethora of fishes and marine mammals. In line with this, there are also World War II wrecks that include ships, aircraft, and submarines which are perfect for history lovers and photographers. 

With all the good things that the country promises, a common question comes to the minds of potential divers: How safe it is to travel and scuba dive in Papua New Guinea? 

The answer is VERY SAFE.

In traveling

According to reviews, attacks on tourists are rare as guided tours provide high security to people. Even expatriates report that they have lived in the country for many years without any trouble. Tourists must only follow the rules of the community, avoid the no-go areas in the country and respect the culture of the locals to enjoy a peaceful time in the country and ensure their safety.

In scuba diving

The country is known as a world-class dive destination not only for its beautiful seas and rich reef systems. Papua New Guinea is also home to some resorts which provide a wide range of liveaboard options designed to fit the unique needs of every diver. On top of it all, the country takes strong measures to ensure the safety of its divers. These are the following: 

1. The minimum age for a diver wannabe is 10 years old. He or she must first take swimming and diving lessons to be armed with knowledge and skills crucial in scuba diving.

Note: Some resorts offer introductory programs for younger children to prepare their mind and body.

2. Divers must pass the skill tests first:

• Must float/swim without swim aids for 10 minutes
• Must 200 meter/yard continuous surface swim without aids
• Must 300 yard/meter swim with mask, snorkel and fins

3. Medical certificates are required to ensure that the diver is physically and mentally fit to swim and dive.

4. A diver may not dive alone. Professionals will accompany each individual to monitor the air supply, gears, distance and overall safety.

5. Scuba diving equipment such as gears and tanks are checked and must meet quality standards to prevent accidents.

6. Insurance is also offered to visitors as resorts in Papua New Guinea are very sensitive when it comes to the security of their guests.



Given the security that tours provide to visitors and the strong safety measures taken by resorts, it is clear that traveling and scuba diving in this country is very safe. Hence, if you’re looking for a place to cross out scuba diving in your bucket list, Papua New Guinea can be your best choice!