Pete Floatplanes - Rabaul & New Britain

Down in the waters of Rabaul, you'll find the Pete Floatplanes, a site that really delivers on historical intrigue. We’ve explored a couple of these Japanese reconnaissance planes now, sitting at different depths-one at 18m, another closer to 40m. The shallower plane is a good starting point, its structure still largely intact, a real magnet for schools of batfish and barracudas that swirl around the fuselage. Deeper down, the other plane offers a more advanced wreck dive, often surrounded by jacks and snapper. Both sites give you that eerie sense of history combined with decent fish action, making for a solid dive for anyone with a love for military history or just something a bit different from a reef.

Location
Rabaul & New Britain, Papua New Guinea, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-2.575000, 150.800000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18 & 40m

Best Time to Dive in Rabaul & New Britain

The warmest water temperatures in Rabaul & New Britain occur in January, averaging 30.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 30.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 30.6°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • February: 30.6°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • March: 30.6°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • April: 30.6°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • May: 30.6°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • June: 30.6°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • July: 30.6°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • August: 30.6°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • September: 30.6°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • October: 30.6°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • November: 30.6°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • December: 30.6°C (air: 26.9°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Rabaul & New Britain

Nearest Dive Centres to Pete Floatplanes

Marine Life in Rabaul & New Britain

Home to 203 recorded species including 176 reef fish, 17 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 clams & mussels, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other, 1 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Pete Floatplanes

Based on average water temperature of 30.6°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 31°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum depth of the Deep Pete floatplane dive site?
The Deep Pete floatplane dive site offers dives to a maximum depth of 40 meters. There is also a shallower option at 18 meters, providing flexibility for divers with different experience levels.
What kind of marine life and wreck features can divers expect to see at the Pete Floatplanes site?
Divers exploring the Pete Floatplanes site can expect to encounter three Japanese reconnaissance planes, which serve as fascinating wreck features. The wrecks are teeming with marine life, including little critters and schools of batfish, barracudas, jacks, soldier fish, and snapper.
How challenging is the Deep Pete wreck dive for recreational divers, considering its depth and potential currents?
The Deep Pete wreck dive is rated as an intermediate difficulty dive, primarily due to its maximum depth of 40 meters. While the data doesn't explicitly mention currents, the intermediate rating suggests divers should be comfortable with deeper dives and potentially varying conditions.
What are the optimal tidal conditions and time of year for diving the Pete Floatplanes wreck in Kavieng for the best visibility?
The provided data does not specify optimal tidal conditions or the best time of year for diving the Pete Floatplanes wreck for visibility. Additionally, the site is located in Rabaul, not Kavieng.
What scuba diving certifications are necessary to dive the Deep Pete floatplane wreck?
While specific certification requirements are not detailed in the provided data, given the Deep Pete floatplane wreck's intermediate difficulty and maximum depth of 40 meters, divers would typically need an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. This ensures proficiency in deeper diving techniques and safety protocols.
What are the typical water conditions and currents like at the Pete Floatplanes dive site?
The provided data does not include specific details regarding the typical water conditions or currents at the Pete Floatplanes dive site. Divers should consult with local dive operators for the most up-to-date information on conditions before planning their dive.