Loloata Island

Loloata is a small island in Bootless Bay a short boat ride from Port Moresby, long known to divers as the base for the bay's sites: reefs, drop-offs and a set of wrecks including the Pai II and aircraft from the war years, with soft coral, reef fish, mandarin fish and pygmy seahorses on the muck sites. The original modest dive lodge was replaced from 2019 by a larger resort with villas, pools and restaurants, which changed the character considerably. Wallabies introduced to the island wander the grounds. For visitors with a day in Port Moresby it is the accessible piece of reef, twenty minutes from the airport road.

What you actually see

• Bootless Bay reefs - the dive sites around the island.
• Wrecks - the sunken vessels and aircraft on the bay floor.
• Muck diving - the sites with mandarin fish and small critters.
• The island - the resort grounds and their wallabies.

When to go

May to October in the drier season for the calmest water and best visibility; the wet season brings run-off that cuts clarity. Diving runs year round. The resort books out at weekends.

Honest expectations

The island is now a full resort and prices reflect that; the earlier budget dive lodge is gone. Day visits need arranging. Visibility varies with run-off from the mainland. Everything on the island is resort-run.

Nearby

Port Moresby lies west; Bootless Bay surrounds the island.