Rapopo Plantation Resort is a waterfront resort located in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, set on a former coconut plantation overlooking Simpson Harbour near Kokopo. The resort sits within a region shaped by volcanic activity and wartime history, offering access to marine environments that remain largely untouched by mass tourism.
The waters surrounding Rapopo Plantation Resort are known for a combination of coral reefs, submerged historical features, and volcanic seabed formations. This area appeals to divers and snorkelers seeking quiet conditions, low diver traffic, and diverse underwater landscapes rather than high-volume dive tourism.
Resort Facilities & Meals
Rapopo Plantation Resort features landscaped beachfront grounds, a swimming pool overlooking the harbour, and on-site dining with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and seafood. Public areas are designed for relaxed use between excursions, with open views toward nearby islands and volcanoes.
Activities
In addition to diving and snorkeling, the surrounding area supports land-based activities including volcano viewpoints, historical WWII sites, village visits, and coastal exploration around Kokopo and Rabaul. Dolphin sightings within Simpson Harbour are also possible due to the sheltered bay conditions.
Staying Connected
Mobile phone coverage is generally available in the Kokopo and Rabaul area. Local SIM cards can be used for basic connectivity, and Wi-Fi is available within the resort’s common areas, though speeds may vary due to the remote location.
We Think. . .
Rapopo Plantation Resort suits travelers who value access to rarely visited dive sites, historical underwater features, and a calm resort base in Papua New Guinea. Its location provides a balance of reef diving, cultural context, and geological interest without the crowds found in more developed dive destinations.
Rapopo Plantation Resort is located near Kokopo in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, directly facing Simpson Harbour. The setting offers views toward volcanic islands and calm coastal waters influenced by the nearby Tavurvur volcano.
How to Get There
The resort is approximately 10 minutes by road from Tokua Airport (Rabaul) and around 5 minutes from Kokopo town. Domestic flights connect East New Britain with Port Moresby, making access relatively straightforward for travelers already in Papua New Guinea.
Rapopo Plantation Resort offers a range of guest rooms and suites set along its beachfront and within tropical gardens, all designed to provide comfortable stays and views over Simpson Harbour and the Gazelle Peninsula. Rooms combine natural materials, private balconies or verandahs, and practical amenities for relaxation after excursions and diving.
Garden Bayside Rooms
These rooms face the garden and harbour, featuring two twin beds or a double bed, air-conditioning, a private bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the grounds and sea. They are suitable for solo travelers or couples seeking a relaxed base close to nature with easy beach access.
Premier Poolside Rooms
Positioned near the resort’s pool and spa area, these rooms are larger and can accommodate up to three guests with one double bed and an additional single bed. Each room includes a balcony or terrace with partial sea or pool views, air conditioning, fridge, coffee and tea making facilities, and modern bathroom amenities.
Executive Suites
The most spacious option at Rapopo Plantation Resort, Executive Suites provide upgraded comfort with enhanced room layouts, separate seating areas, and uninterrupted views across Simpson Harbour. Suites include air conditioning, private bathrooms, storage space, and direct access to beachfront or poolside settings.
Across all accommodation types, in-room amenities typically include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, refrigerators, tea/coffee facilities, private bathrooms with showers, and climate control. Most rooms offer private balconies or terraces where guests can enjoy views over the water or landscaped gardens.
Diving Location Features
Diving around Rapopo Plantation Resort takes place in a region shaped by volcanic activity and historical events. The underwater environment includes coral gardens, sloping reefs, volcanic sand areas, and submerged wartime relics. Visibility is generally good, and sites are suitable for both relaxed reef exploration and deeper profile dives depending on conditions.
Dive Services Overview
Diving is with Dive Kokopo. Diving in this area typically involves short boat rides from shore, with access to reefs, harbour sites, and offshore locations. Dive planning is influenced by weather, volcanic conditions, and visibility, allowing flexible site selection across different experience levels.
The waters around Rapopo Plantation Resort and the wider Rabaul Harbour and East New Britain coastline are known for their diverse underwater environments, shaped by volcanic activity, historical wrecks, and thriving reef ecosystems. Dive sites in this region range from sheltered harbour reefs and WWII relic sites to offshore coral walls and slopes.
Marine Life Highlights
Reef areas around Rapopo Plantation Resort support a range of marine species. Common sightings include reef fish such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and clownfish, along with macro invertebrates like nudibranchs and shrimp. Larger species such as turtles, rays, and occasional pelagics may appear in deeper or current-exposed zones.
Suitability & Conditions
Many dive sites near Rapopo can be accessed with short boat rides from shore, while shallow harbour dives are suitable for snorkellers and introductory divers. Deeper walls and slope dives require careful planning with respect to currents and visibility, which can vary with weather and tidal conditions. Water temperatures in the region are typically warm, and reefs are alive with hard and soft coral growth.
Dive Sites
The waters around Rapopo Plantation Resort and the wider Rabaul Harbour and East New Britain coastline are known for their diverse underwater environments, shaped by volcanic activity, historical wrecks, and thriving reef ecosystems. Dive sites in this region range from sheltered harbour reefs and WWII relic sites to offshore coral walls and slopes.
Simpson Harbour Wreck Sites
Simpson Harbour holds the remains of several World War II wrecks and underwater relics spread across its sheltered waters. Many of these sites were impacted by past volcanic activity, leaving them partially buried or overgrown with coral. Divers can explore fragments of submerged structures—often teeming with coral growth and reef fish—providing a combination of historical interest and marine biodiversity within relatively shallow depths.
Rabaul Barrier Reef
The barrier reef systems around Rabaul are characterised by shallow coral gardens, bommie structures, and a variety of reef fish. These sites are well suited to snorkelling and recreational diving, with gentle slopes and ample macro life. The reef’s sheltered position within the harbour helps maintain calm conditions and clear visibility for much of the year.
Pigeon Island Reefs
Reefs near Pigeon Island provide narrow coral fingers and drop-offs that attract a variety of fish species and invertebrates. These sites are accessible via boat and are often visited for their mix of sand channels, bommies, and coral ridges that support varied reef communities.
Eastern Harbour Walls & Slopes
As the seabed descends into deeper channels near the harbour entrance, vertical walls and sloping reef structures offer more challenging dive profiles. These areas can feature stronger currents and increased biodiversity, including sightings of larger pelagics when conditions permit.
Volcanic Reef Zones
The region’s volcanic past has influenced seafloor topography, creating reefs with varied contours and underwater geology. Lava flows and ash deposits form natural ledges and terraces that support coral growth, sponges, and soft corals. These zones are valued for photography, macro life, and ambient reef scenery.
Kabaira Reefs
Some reef systems around Kabaira and adjacent areas have remained largely unaffected by historical eruptions and human activity. These sites show dense coral coverage and robust reef fish populations, offering a contrast to harbour sites with more structural complexity.
Marine Life Highlights
Reef areas around Rapopo Plantation Resort support a range of marine species. Common sightings include reef fish such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and clownfish, along with macro invertebrates like nudibranchs and shrimp. Larger species such as turtles, rays, and occasional pelagics may appear in deeper or current-exposed zones.
Suitability & Conditions
Many dive sites near Rapopo can be accessed with short boat rides from shore, while shallow harbour dives are suitable for snorkellers and introductory divers. Deeper walls and slope dives require careful planning with respect to currents and visibility, which can vary with weather and tidal conditions. Water temperatures in the region are typically warm, and reefs are alive with hard and soft coral growth.
Pricing for Rapopo Plantation Resort
| valid to 31 December 2026 | AUD | ||
| 7 Nights Garden Bayside Room (Double) with 10 boat dives | 1325 | ||
| 7 Nights Garden Bayside Room (Single) with 10 boat dives | 2028 | ||
| 7 Nights Premier Poolside Room (Double) with 10 boat dives | 1453 | ||
| 7 Nights Premier Poolside Room (Single) with 10 boat dives | 2283 | ||
| 7 Nights Beachfront Suite (Double) with 10 boat dives | 1836 | ||
| Included: accommodation, daily hot breakfast, return airport transfers from/to Tokua Airport (Rabaul), free WiFi, 5 2-tank dive days, tanks, weights, boat, dive guide, air fills | |||
| The per person pricing above is indicative only (and is based on an averaged exchange rate): we show 7 night with 10 dive packages at high-end and lower-end rooms (singles & doubles) for the purposes of comparison. We can give you a price (and availability) for any combination of nights/dives you wish to undertake, which will include any discounts due to you as part of that package, and any exclusions, or items payable at the resort. Please use the [Enquire Now] tab to give us your exact requirements and we'll give you the best deal we can. | |||
