Rabaul

During WWII, Rabaul became a major Japanese military base. There were at least 50 ships sunk in the harbour.

George's Wreck
This wreck was once a Japanese marine cable layer which was later converted to a minelayer. The bow of the vessel is in 12 meters (39 feet) of water, and the stern is at 60 meters (197 feet). The bridge area is approximately 30 meters (98 feet). It is littered with sea-fans and black coral at the deeper ends. It is also possible to see cowries, feather stars, nudibranchs, camouflaged fish such as scorpionfish, stonefish, pipefish, and the odd pelagic.

Submarine Base
This drop off is over 250 meters (820 feet), and is the edge of a vast submerged caldera. It is located just meters from the shoreline. The Japanese used this natural drop off in WWII as a way to make a quick escape, the plan being to load their submarines up with cargo and drop to the depths. You will find many soft and small corals, barrel sponges, sea fans and whips decorating the wall. At low tide the entry can be a bit awkward, but once in, the abyss awaits. A must dive.

Yamato Maru
A 4,359-ton cargo carrier sunk on the 18th of April 1943. Truck bodies are still visible.