On this cruise Niugini Diving's vessel Barbarian II follows the Kula Ring around the Milne Bay Islands including the renowned Trobriand Islands (famed for their Yam Festival and spectacular carvings). The voyage spans a relaxing 7-10 days spent travelling through untouched islands and pristine reefs, excellent for snorklers or the experienced scuba diver.

Scattered over 250,000 square kilometres of ocean, there are 160 named islands and 500 cays and atolls in the Milne Bay area. Around these islands can be found some of the most incredible reefs characterized by dramatic drop-offs, clefts and overhangs. The best way to experience these natural wonders is by going on a live-aboard vessel, the Barbarian II, and cruising the waters. Immerse yourself in thermal hot springs and bubbling mud pools on Fergusson Island or visit caves where ancestral people left the skulls of their enemies.

Milne Bay Province consists of a large group of islands at the extreme eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. Seven groups of islands in total, they include the Trobriand, Woodlark and Laughlan Islands, the Louisiade Archipelago, the Conflict Group, the Samarai Group and the D'Entrecasteaux Group. These islands were discovered by Europeans in the 1660s and were named by those explorers.
Throughout the years, Milne Bay Province has been visited by miners, pearl traders and missionaries and was a large naval base during the war. Today divers can explore the various wrecks which are the legacy of this tumultuous history.

The Kula Ring is a phenomenon of Milne Bay. Travelling in a circular route from island to island in elaborate Kula canoes, the villagers go on trading voyages. This traditional route is known as The Kula Ring. They follow the Kula Ring exchanging treasured necklaces (called bagi or veguwa) and armbands (called mwali) which are a sign of prestige to those who own them. The jewellery is produced from seashells and is intricately crafted by the local people. Following tradition, the necklaces move clockwise from island to island and shell armbands move counterclockwise. None of these pieces of jewellery are ever considered privately owned, rather they are the property of the community. Every piece of jewellery has a name and follows the circle, which can take up to ten years to complete.

Although the pieces of jewellery do not have a monetary value they are rich in tradition and function as an invisible treaty amongst the island people. The Kula Ring is said to prevent war between the villages by offering peaceful transactions in a normally hostile environment. The Kula Ring tradition continues to this day. The Barbarian II follows this historic circle, as islanders have for centuries.

The best way to enjoy the peace loving people of the Milne Bay area is to visit the Trobriand Islands, also known as "The Islands of Love". These islands lie to the north of the Milne Bay Province and are the home of the renowned Milalala (or Yam) Festival between June and August. Hereditary chieftains still wield tremendous power in these villages where inheritances and lines of power are matrilinear.

Milne Bay is famous for its visibility, currents, large animals and its huge range of species.

Dive sites include Banana Bommie, Cape Chesterfield and Hammerhead Reef. The reef diving is so plentiful that Niugini Diving does not visit the same reef twice but tends to travel from reef to reef looking for the ultimate dive, cruising far out into the outer reef systems, exploring where no one else even dreams of going. It is out here, in these warm clear waters, that the diver's imagination is fired. Quite often Barbarian II overnights on one of these off shore reefs and, with the spot lights illuminating the reef, draws a multitude of marine creatures into the cone of light.

Some of Papua New Guinea's best-kept diving secrets are to be found in the Milne Bay Province. One of these, Dinah's Beach, is a secluded beach with a small village. Steep limestone cliffs drop straight into the sea and magnificent walls of coral await the diver. Small shallow reefs teem with life and divers can photograph to their hearts content.

A number of wrecks are to be found in the province. There is the Lockheed P-38H-5-LO LIGHTNING fighter in 30 metres of water and the wreck of the MUSCOOTA, a coal refueling barge sunk in the second world war with parts of her still remaining above water. Her greatest depth is 30 metres and she makes a superb night dive. Perhaps the best known wreck of the Milne Bay area is that of BLACKJACK, a B17 Flying Fortress bomber. Lying in 50 metres, she is remarkably intact with the only damage being to the nose section.