Carl’s Ultimate on Eastern Fields PNG

Site Overview
Site Type: Rich Reef
Depth: Top: 5M Median: 20M Bottom: 50M
Location: Carl’s Ultimate dive site is in the North Eastern entrance to Eastern Fields lagoon

Eastern Fields is a submerged atoll rising from over 1,200m and covering some 400 square miles – most of this reef system is still unexplored. Being close to the eastern approaches of the Torres Strait gives this area the currents that attract the pelagic marine life. Consequently the visibility is typically very high, frequently in excess of 70m.

Eastern Fields is located 90 nautical miles south west of Port Moresby in the northern reaches of the Coral Sea.

Map showing location of Ashmore Reef and Eastern Fields at Papua New Guinea, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

Carl’s Ultimate is a sausage shaped reef in a passage swept by tidal currents. Depth varies from 5m to 50m, with swim throughs at 30m. It features fantastic hard and soft corals, gorgonians and a multitude of fishes big and small, bright and beautiful.  A haven for the underwater photographer.

The sea fans at Carl’s Ultimate grow to spectacular sizes.

Large sea fan on Carls Ultimate at Eastern Fields, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

A sweetlips hangs under a swim through at 30m.

Swim-through at 30 m at Eastern Fields, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

Where lined basslets also live.

Lined Basslet lives in the swim-through at Eastern Fields, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

Schools of Jacks hover over the reef in the crystal clear waters.

Schools of Jacks hover over the reef at Eastern Fields, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

Whilst a Unicornfish gets a clean at one of the many cleaning stations.

Unicornfish gets cleaned at Carls Ultimate at Eastern Fields, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

On top of Carl’s Ultimate – orange sea fans and anthias abound

On top of Carls Ultimate – orange sea fans and anthias abound at Eastern Fields, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

Carl’s Ultimate dive site has marine life so rich and diverse, that it is not uncommon for divers to do 12 dives and still ask for more.

Fan city at Eastern Fields, aboard the MV Golden Dawn. Scuba dive holiday, travel planning tips for PNG - where, when, who and how

Thanks to Bob Halstead for the photos and description.