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Helmuts Reef

Helmuts Reef

Kavieng And New Ireland, Papua New Guinea

Depth
Depth Icon

50m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

10m - 30m

Entry
Boat Entry Icon

Boat

Experience Level

Advanced


About Helmuts Reef

A beautiful deep sloping reef situated in the Kavieng Shipping channel and several meters away from the Steffen Strait. Here water drops to 50 meters where you will find many coral enveloped patch reefs along with a excellent display of marine life. Due to the depth and strong currents, this dive is only recommended for advanced level divers.

Helmuts Reef Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Reef, Drift, Deep

Entry Type

Boat

Max Depth

50m

Visibility Range

10m 30m

Experience Level

Advanced

Best Gas Mix

21% – 23%

O2

13% at 48m / 24%

O2
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Marine Life

  • Turtles
  • Pelagic Fish
  • Various
  • None
  • Wrasse
  • Reef Sharks
  • Groupers
Weather Conditions

Water Temperature
Dive Operators near Helmuts Reef

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Location

Dive Site Hazards

  • Hidden Depth Variations — Complex reef topography can conceal depth changes, leading to unintended profile variations.

  • Distraction from Marine Activity — High fish activity can distract divers and delay depth or gas awareness.

  • Rapid Surge Direction Changes — Surge near reef structures can reverse direction quickly, pushing divers sideways into unexpected areas.

  • Eddy Pull-Off Zones — Eddies behind structures can pull divers away from the main drift line.

  • Delayed Surface Pickup — Strong current can exceed surface tracking assumptions, delaying boat pickup.

  • Vertical Current Shear — Currents may vary by depth, causing vertical separation even when divers stay together.

  • Gradual Narcosis Onset — Narcosis may develop slowly, making self-assessment unreliable.

  • Task Fixation at Depth — Cognitive narrowing at depth can reduce awareness of time and ascent rate.

  • Increased Gas Density Breathing Load — Higher gas density at depth increases work of breathing.

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