East Sepik Province dive sites

Wewak was a major Japanese military base during World War II and was subjected to extensive Allied bombing from 1943 to 1945. The harbour and surrounding waters contain multiple wrecks including Japanese transport ships, landing barges, and at least two aircraft. The most accessible wrecks are in the main bay at depths of 10 to 25 metres. Some wrecks have been identified through wartime records while others remain unidentified. The wrecks are heavily encrusted with coral and support dense marine life, making them equally interesting as wreck dives and reef dives.

Wewak is accessible by air from Port Moresby with Air Niugini and PNG Air, with flights several times per week. The town has basic infrastructure including hotels and guesthouses. Dive facilities in Wewak are limited compared to more established PNG dive destinations like Kimbe Bay or Milne Bay. You may need to arrange diving through local contacts or a specialist PNG dive travel operator. Some liveaboard operators include Wewak in their itineraries on extended voyages. Bringing your own essential equipment is recommended.

Rabaul, on the island of New Britain, is PNG's most famous WWII wreck diving destination with better-established dive infrastructure. Wewak offers a completely different experience: the wrecks are generally in shallower water, the diving infrastructure is more basic, and you are unlikely to encounter other divers. The wreck variety is different as Wewak was primarily a supply and staging base rather than a major naval port like Rabaul. For experienced wreck divers who have already visited Rabaul and want to explore less-documented sites, Wewak offers genuine discovery potential.