PNG-May 2012-Febrina Vs Dancer???

G'day all!

I am a newbie to Wetpixel, so be gentle! =)

Looking for some insight off anyone that has been on the Dancer recently since it has been running in Milne Bay.

Are they still working together with Walindi/Febrina?? How is the trip??

We are a small group and first timers to PNG and we are tossing up between the Dancer and Febrina..

Dancer is the cheaper option at the moment, but is there something that we will really miss out on diving off Febrina?? Keeping in mind that our trip will be in May...

Looking forward to any info or suggestions...

Cheers

Febrina gets my my vote.

Febrina gets my my vote.

We have been on both, the Febrina to the South Coast of New Britain a couple of years ago and on the Dancer in Milne two weeks ago. The Dancer is getting tired, we had no washing machine, no dryers (both are fried) and so no clean towels or sheets for 10 days. There were leaks in most of the rooms during the rain and an electrical fire in my friends room that was quickly put out but scary nonetheless. On the other hand, the food was good and much better than on the Febrina but that was the only positive. In Milne we did lots of dives on pinnacles (like in Kimbe) but no sharks, no big schools of fish, no pelagics, no turtles, just pretty walls. We are macro/critter folk and while Milne has the reputation for a critter place, other than Bunama (where we could have stayed for a couple of days) it was not very crittery. The crew of the Dancer was great, very helpful and friendly but they just don't have Milne down yet.

The Febrina was also a critter trip and we saw lots more stuff there but the boat itself is not quite as nice as the Dancer (or at least how it was). So a lot depends on what you want. The diving from the Dancer and the Febrina are both pretty easy, no big currents, warm clear water. If you want to dive and see lots of walls (with healthy coral) and not so interested in critters then the Dancer is a good choice but my vote today would be for Febrina.

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Bill

We have been on both, the Febrina to the South Coast of New Britain a couple of years ago and on the Dancer in Milne two weeks ago. The Dancer is getting tired, we had no washing machine, no dryers (both are fried) and so no clean towels or sheets for 10 days. There were leaks in most of the rooms during the rain and an electrical fire in my friends room that was quickly put out but scary nonetheless. On the other hand, the food was good and much better than on the Febrina but that was the only positive. In Milne we did lots of dives on pinnacles (like in Kimbe) but no sharks, no big schools of fish, no pelagics, no turtles, just pretty walls. We are macro/critter folk and while Milne has the reputation for a critter place, other than Bunama (where we could have stayed for a couple of days) it was not very crittery. The crew of the Dancer was great, very helpful and friendly but they just don't have Milne down yet.

 

The Febrina was also a critter trip and we saw lots more stuff there but the boat itself is not quite as nice as the Dancer (or at least how it was). So a lot depends on what you want. The diving from the Dancer and the Febrina are both pretty easy, no big currents, warm clear water. If you want to dive and see lots of walls (with healthy coral) and not so interested in critters then the Dancer is a good choice but my vote today would be for Febrina.

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Bill

Thanks guys!

Wow, sounded like you had a bit of an adventure on your trip! Thanks for that info, it helps a lot seeing as you were there around the same time as we will be heading over... I was concerned that they wouldn't have the trip sorted yet... we do have another year for things to get settled though I guess... Definitely worried about the lack of pelagics and schools of fish! I love to cruise through large shoals of fish and see the odd shark here and there. And we all like our critters too, at least they dont swim too fast when you're trying to take some pics! =) So its important that we have a good mixture of diving... What was the viz like in Milne bay? Any wrecks at all??

The trip we are looking at on Febrina is more expensive, but it is 2 days extra and is taking in Kavieng reef also, which I hear is great for some drifts, pelagics and schools of fish. It is also heading to the Witu islands, Fathers and New Hanover reef on top of Kimbe bay. Did you head to any of these areas whilst on Febrina?

As far as the boat is concerned, I am not fussed as long as it is reasonably comfortable and reliable.. the nicer boat (dancer) would be good for a couple of the first timers, but I am sure we would all take better diving over a better boat.

Thanks again for your input. I can't wait to get out there, it's still a year away tho!!

Thanks guys!

 

Wow, sounded like you had a bit of an adventure on your trip! Thanks for that info, it helps a lot seeing as you were there around the same time as we will be heading over... I was concerned that they wouldn't have the trip sorted yet... we do have another year for things to get settled though I guess... Definitely worried about the lack of pelagics and schools of fish! I love to cruise through large shoals of fish and see the odd shark here and there. And we all like our critters too, at least they dont swim too fast when you're trying to take some pics! =) So its important that we have a good mixture of diving... What was the viz like in Milne bay? Any wrecks at all??

 

The trip we are looking at on Febrina is more expensive, but it is 2 days extra and is taking in Kavieng reef also, which I hear is great for some drifts, pelagics and schools of fish. It is also heading to the Witu islands, Fathers and New Hanover reef on top of Kimbe bay. Did you head to any of these areas whilst on Febrina?

 

As far as the boat is concerned, I am not fussed as long as it is reasonably comfortable and reliable.. the nicer boat (dancer) would be good for a couple of the first timers, but I am sure we would all take better diving over a better boat.

 

Thanks again for your input. I can't wait to get out there, it's still a year away tho!!

We did a lot of Kimbe diving on a trip with the Mike Ball boat and it was very very good, great trip and good mix of small and large stuff. By the time you guys go, the Dancer will have been in Milne for another year so it should be getting better but for big stuff, I understand that Kavieng/Kimbe will be better than Milne which has a reputation for being a critter spot. One other thing to think about either before or after your trip is a couple of days at Loloata right near the airport in Port Moresby. Great place, really nice diving (we had the place to ourselves). Wherever you go in PNG you will have a great trip.

Bill

We did a lot of Kimbe diving on a trip with the Mike Ball boat and it was very very good, great trip and good mix of small and large stuff. By the time you guys go, the Dancer will have been in Milne for another year so it should be getting better but for big stuff, I understand that Kavieng/Kimbe will be better than Milne which has a reputation for being a critter spot. One other thing to think about either before or after your trip is a couple of days at Loloata right near the airport in Port Moresby. Great place, really nice diving (we had the place to ourselves). Wherever you go in PNG you will have a great trip.

 

Bill

Thanks again Bill,

Well, I think the group is sold on the Febrina! The longer itinery is too good to pass up and they only do it a few times a year. It sounds like we will get a good variety of diving. I am sure Dancer will have its route sorted better this time next year, but what I also keep hearing is the captain on Febrina really knows the areas up north well. Another plus for the trip.

And I will certainly look into Loloata too, good way to begin or top off a journey!

Cheers mate and safe diving. =)

I spend a lot of time diving PNG and have been on both the Dancer and FeBrina. The Dancer may be bigger and more comfortably laid out, but I fear she has gone a bit downhill since leaving Peter Hughes.

I much prefer the FeBrina for many reasons. Although she is smaller and you do have to climb ladders to the staterooms, I just love that boat. She gets into areas no other boat does. More importantly, she is captained by Alan Raabe who has forgotten more about diving in PNG than most captains will ever know. He has plied those waters forever! He is very eco friendly too. He has put most of the permanent mooring in the area to keep damage to the reefs at a minimum.

I've been with the boat in New Ireland, north shore of New Britain/Witus, Rabaul/Duke of York Islands/Gazelle Peninsula, and the South shore of New britain.

If you are bazarre little critters, the south shore of New Britain is really good. For great everything-big schools of fish/sharks/ critters you can't do better than Kimbe/Fathers and the Witus. That is the best itenerary, IMHO.

Be aware that locals will paddle their outriggers to the dive boat to trade food and just "hang out". They will often bring the kids to see the divers.

The kids LOVE it when you bring "lollies" (candy). The also like getting gifts of pens to use at school.

Women need to be aware that PNG has some cultural taboos. While locals could care less if women go bare breasted, there is a real taboo for women to bare themselves from waist to knees. Keep a lap-lap (sarong) to wrap around yourself the minute you take your wetsuit off and try to not walk around the boat in your bikini, when the locals are around.

The Fathers (dive area) and the Witu Islands (Garove Island) should not be missed if you can make it happen. The Witus are often hard to get to in rough weather. Incredible diving.

I hope you have a wonderful time, no matter which boat you choose. I would be happy to talk with you. I have free calling in Continental US if you want to chat about PNG.

I spend a lot of time diving PNG and have been on both the Dancer and FeBrina. The Dancer may be bigger and more comfortably laid out, but I fear she has gone a bit downhill since leaving Peter Hughes.

 

I much prefer the FeBrina for many reasons. Although she is smaller and you do have to climb ladders to the staterooms, I just love that boat. She gets into areas no other boat does. More importantly, she is captained by Alan Raabe who has forgotten more about diving in PNG than most captains will ever know. He has plied those waters forever! He is very eco friendly too. He has put most of the permanent mooring in the area to keep damage to the reefs at a minimum.

 

I've been with the boat in New Ireland, north shore of New Britain/Witus, Rabaul/Duke of York Islands/Gazelle Peninsula, and the South shore of New britain.

 

If you are bazarre little critters, the south shore of New Britain is really good. For great everything-big schools of fish/sharks/ critters you can't do better than Kimbe/Fathers and the Witus. That is the best itenerary, IMHO.

 

Be aware that locals will paddle their outriggers to the dive boat to trade food and just "hang out". They will often bring the kids to see the divers.

 

 

The kids LOVE it when you bring "lollies" (candy). The also like getting gifts of pens to use at school.

 

Women need to be aware that PNG has some cultural taboos. While locals could care less if women go bare breasted, there is a real taboo for women to bare themselves from waist to knees. Keep a lap-lap (sarong) to wrap around yourself the minute you take your wetsuit off and try to not walk around the boat in your bikini, when the locals are around.

 

The Fathers (dive area) and the Witu Islands (Garove Island) should not be missed if you can make it happen. The Witus are often hard to get to in rough weather. Incredible diving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you have a wonderful time, no matter which boat you choose. I would be happy to talk with you. I have free calling in Continental US if you want to chat about PNG.

Thats fantastic Allison! Thank you for your advice. And pics. =)

We have decided on Febrina. The only thing we could see in favour of Dancer was being slightly larger... The itinery we have booked onto is the best of the best it seems. Nice extended 12 night safari taking in Kimbe Bay, Fathers, Witu, New Hanover and Kavieng to top it off! =) So I think we will have a good varied dive trip.

None of us have dived PNG before so its a new experience for everyone... Just have to wait a year now!! hehehe

I really hope Alan will be our Captain for the trip also, he seems to be a bit of a character.

If you have any info you would like to share about your experiences diving in the areas we are going to, we would love to hear it.

Thanks again

McLovin