Simpson Harbour, Natural port in Blanche Bay, Papua New Guinea.
Simpson Harbour is a natural port set inside a flooded volcanic caldera within Blanche Bay, on the Gazelle Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. Active volcanoes rise on several sides, and the surrounding landforms shelter the water from strong currents, making it a well-protected anchorage.
The harbor was charted in 1872 by Royal Navy Captain Cortland Simpson during his voyage aboard HMS Blanche, which also gave the surrounding bay its name. During World War II, it became a major Japanese military base and saw some of the most intense fighting in the Pacific.
Local fishers head out on the water each morning in small boats, returning with fresh catch sold at nearby markets. The harbor is a working space where daily life and the sea are closely connected.
The harbor is best explored by boat, and local tour operators in the area can arrange trips on the water. The surrounding volcanoes are active, so checking local advisories before visiting is a good habit.
The harbor floor holds around 65 sunken Japanese warships, most of them still largely intact after decades underwater. Divers from around the world come specifically to explore these wrecks, which sit at depths accessible to recreational diving.
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