Tufi Diving

Tufi diving takes place on the north coast of Papua New Guinea in Oro Province, where steep rainforest ridges drop into long, narrow inlets that locals and visitors call fjords. They were formed by old volcanic flows and drowned river valleys rather than by glaciers, but the effect is just as striking. At the mouths of those fjords, and on the coast beyond, are reefs, walls and muck sites that make Tufi one of PNG's most scenic and varied dive areas.

The fjords

The fjords themselves are deep and sheltered, with dark water fed by streams from the forest. Inside them you can find unusual dives on steep slopes, where shade-loving corals and black corals grow shallower than usual. Some divers come just to see the landscape from the water, on boat rides between sites that feel more like a river journey than a sea crossing.

Reefs and offshore sites

• Offshore reefs. Isolated reefs a boat ride out from the coast, with hard corals, sea fans, schooling fish and the chance of reef sharks, rays and turtles.
• Walls and drop-offs. At the fjord mouths and along the coast, walls drop into deep water and catch nutrient-rich currents.
• Muck sites. Sandy and silty slopes near the shore, including around the wharf area, that rival the better-known macro sites elsewhere in PNG.
• WWII remains. The coast saw fighting during the New Guinea campaign, and some wreckage lies in the area. Ask locally which sites are within your training.

Village life

Tufi is as much about the place as the diving. Villages line the fjords, and many visitors spend a night in a village guesthouse, travel by outrigger canoe, or watch traditional dance and bark-cloth (tapa) making, for which Oro Province is known. Respect local customs: ask before you photograph people and follow your hosts' lead on dress and behaviour.

Conditions

Inside the fjords, water is calm but visibility can be lower and water can be cooler near the surface where fresh water runs in. Offshore reefs are usually clearer. Wind affects the boat rides to the outer reefs more than the sheltered inner sites. Read the best time to dive Papua New Guinea to see how the seasons affect the north coast.

How to dive Tufi

Tufi is remote. Most visitors fly from Port Moresby to Tufi's small airstrip, usually on light-aircraft or charter services, so check schedules carefully and keep your luggage within the weight limits. Diving is mostly from a small land-based resort with day boats, which suits divers who want a land base and a slower pace.

Some Papua New Guinea liveaboards include Tufi on routes between Milne Bay and the north coast. If macro is your priority, pair Tufi with Milne Bay muck diving. Our Papua New Guinea dive trip planning guide explains how to fit in the domestic legs.

Who Tufi suits

Tufi suits divers who want more than diving: scenery, culture and a small, quiet base. The mix of reefs, walls and muck means wide-angle and macro photographers both find plenty to shoot. Newer divers will be happiest on the sheltered sites with a guide, while the offshore reefs reward experience.

Tufi diving FAQ