The Diving Facility commenced operation in late 1996:

Dive Boats:

• Two 10 metre purpose built aluminum dive boats powered by Volvo diesel engines. The boats carry up to 10 divers plus crew at up to 20 knots. Equipped with electronic navigation, VHF radio, life jackets, life raft, flares, oxygen, first aid and an EPIRB. A hot/cold shower is available for rinsing. Towels, refreshments and snacks are provided.

Dive Store:

• Rental equipment – Scubapro regulators and BCDs, Suunto/Aladin dive computers, masks, snorkels, fins and wetsuits. Torches and cameras are not available for rent at this time.
• Scuba equipment repairs and servicing to most common brands.
• Retail sales – BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, torches and various accessories.
• A wet area is provided behind the Dive Centre for washing and drying cameras/videos and diving gear.
• 240 volt charging outlets available. These are Australian type sockets. Adaptors for UK, Europe and USA are available for purchase on the Island.

Dive Itinerary:

• Boat departs Lolotata Island Resort Jetty at 8.00 a.m. for two morning dives returning to the Island at midday for lunch.
• Boat departs Loloata Island Resort Jetty at 2.00 p.m. for one afternoon dive returning to the Island at around 4.30 p.m.
• Night dives are available on request.

The Diving Season:

Late December until early April is the wet season:
The sea is usually relatively calm, but the visibility declines through the wet season.

Late April until late May is the doldrums:
The sea is usually calm and the visibility begins to improve.

Early June until early October is the dry season:
Southeast trade winds blow at this time, making the sea sometimes quite choppy, the visibility is quite good.

Late October until early December is the doldrums again:
This is when the best diving is to be had with calm seas and good visibility.

• Diving is run all year round and even during bad weather some dive sites are still accessible.
  
• Water temperature ranges from 25 degrees C (76 degrees F) in August and September up to 30 degrees C (86 degrees F) in March and April
  
• We advise divers to wear a Lycra skin to prevent sunburn and stings. During the cooler months a 3mm wetsuit or thicker is recommended.

On Arrival:

• Dive gear bags may be left at the Dive Centre on arrival. This will avoid unnecessary delays.
• You will need to complete some paperwork and present your diving certification card as well as insurance details at the Dive Centre.
• Please register which dives you wish to do for the duration of your stay. You will find a registration form attached to the notice board if the dive staff are temporarily unavailable.
• All other relevant information regarding the diving at Loloata can be found on the notice board adjacent to the restaurant.

The Loloata Dive Centre Notice Board:

• A large notice board provides information to divers. This is situated under cover in the outdoor lounge area adjacent to the restaurant. The notice board will provide maps of dive sites and information on the location and type of marine life currently being seen around Loloata. It will also provide the opportunity to register for a dive.

Diving Insurance:

• A hyperbaric facility is available in Port Moresby which is less than 30 minutes away from the Resort. Two Kina (local currency, approximately 0.50 US cents) is charged per dive which goes towards the maintenance of the facility. All divers are liable for the medical treatment costs and at around US$500 per hour it is strongly recommended that you have insurance to cover you for diving accidents. DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance can be arranged on arrival through Australia if you are resident to that area or through DAN USA or DAN Europe. This is excellent cover for one year at a relatively small cost, but be warned that arranging insurance on arrival may take at least 72 hours to take effect. The Dive Centre reserves the right to refuse diving to anyone who does not have or will not take out diving insurance!

Tipping:

• Tipping at the resort is not compulsory but much appreciated to reward good service. If you wish to tip the dive staff please present this directly to the Manager of the Dive Centre. This will be distributed equally among the local staff.

Dive Site Map & Descriptions