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1 city
Province · Islands Region
West New Britain
West New Britain has Kimbe Bay, with reefs of great coral variety, volcanoes such as Ulawun, and the Willaumez Peninsula.
In the photo: Ulawun Volcano
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know West New Britain
West New Britain Province occupies the western part of New Britain island, between the Bismarck Sea to the north and the Solomon Sea to the south. The capital, Kimbe, sits at the head of Kimbe Bay on the northern coast.
Kimbe Bay is one of the Pacific’s known dive destinations, with reefs, seamounts and walls that drop into deep water close to shore. Marine biology studies record great diversity of corals and reef fishes there.
Volcanoes dominate the province’s landscape. Ulawun, east of Kimbe, is one of Papua New Guinea’s most active, and the Willaumez Peninsula, which closes the bay to the west, has craters, hot springs and volcanic lakes.
In the interior, forests and oil-palm plantations cover the plains and slopes. Coastal villages depend on fishing and farming and host visitors on day trips combined with local accommodations.
Destinations
1 destination in West New Britain
Cities
1 cities in West New Britain in the guide
When to go
The climate is hot and humid year-round, with frequent rain. Dives take place throughout the year, and sea conditions vary with seasonal winds: check with operators before you go. From December to March, rainfall is usually heavier.
Getting there
Hoskins Airport (HKN), east of Kimbe, has flights from Port Moresby and other towns. From Hoskins the road leads to Kimbe and the Willaumez Peninsula. dive sites are reached by boat from the coast.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about West New Britain
Why is Kimbe Bay well known?
For its variety of corals and reef fishes and for the seamounts and walls near the shore, reachable by boat in a short time. It is one of the Pacific’s recognized dive destinations.
How do you get to Kimbe?
By air to Hoskins Airport, with flights from Port Moresby, then by road to Kimbe. dive lodges usually arrange transfers.
Can Mount Ulawun be visited?
Ulawun is one of the country’s most active volcanoes, and approach depends on the volcano’s activity and local authorization. It appears on the horizon east of Kimbe and can also be seen from the sea.
How many days should you allocate for Kimbe Bay?
For diving, four to seven days are usually the minimum, with two or three dives per day. Non-divers can combine snorkeling, boat trips and the Willaumez Peninsula in two to three days.