Tawali Dive Center
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Milne Bay · Papua New Guinea · Pacific
Max. depth · 50 mWongs Black Jack, Milne Bay: Diving a WWII Bomber Wreck
Descend to 50 metres to explore the WWII American 'Black Jack' bomber, a poignant artificial reef nestled in the white sand of Milne Bay.
What makes this site special
- Explore a WWII American bomber at 50 metres
- Observe the 'Black Jack' markings on the bomber's nose
- Experience a deep wreck dive over white sand
- Short, focused bottom time on the aircraft
- Strict safety stop protocols are paramount
Wongs Black Jack about the site
Diving Wongs Black Jack transports you to a pivotal moment in history, as you descend towards the ghostly outline of a World War II American bomber. This aircraft, affectionately known as 'Black Jack' due to the painted playing cards – a jack and an ace forming 21 – on its nose, lies in serene repose on a bed of white sand. The dive demands precision and respect for its depth, as it requires a carefully planned profile to maximize your time with this compelling relic.
The journey to the bomber begins as you gear up for a deep descent, knowing the target awaits at 50 metres. As you break the surface and start your drop, the changing light signals the increasing pressure and the profound environment you are entering. The bomber's imposing form gradually materializes from the blue, a testament to its past and a stark reminder of the forces that brought it here.
Upon reaching the wreck, you'll find the colossal aircraft settled on its sandy bed, its structure largely intact despite its wartime demise and decades underwater. Your accessible bottom time here is brief, a mere 10 minutes, making it crucial to have your dive plan clear and your movements efficient. This brief exploration offers a unique opportunity to connect with history, observing the plane's various sections and imagining its final moments.
The dive profile for Wongs Black Jack is not just a suggestion, but a requirement for safety and depth management. After your limited time exploring the bomber, the emphasis shifts entirely to a slow, controlled ascent, incorporating strict mandatory decompression and safety stops along the way. These stops are non-negotiable, essential for your well-being after a deep dive of this nature, and contribute to the overall challenge and gravitas of the experience.
Following your ascent from the bomber, a minimum surface interval of four hours is required before any subsequent dives. This extended surface time is critical for complete outgassing and recovery, ensuring you are adequately rested and decompressed before considering another immersion. The entire dive at Wongs Black Jack is a testament to meticulous planning and disciplined execution, making it a dive for those who appreciate both history and the demands of deep technical exploration.
Diving conditions
This deep wreck dive reaches a maximum depth of 50 metres. Due to the depth and limited bottom time, a special dive profile with mandatory safety stops is required, followed by a minimum four-hour surface interval. You can expect water temperatures ranging from 25°C to 29°C.
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Frequently asked questions about Wongs Black Jack
What water conditions can you expect at Wongs Black Jack?
At Wongs Black Jack, water temperatures range from 25°C to 29°C. The dive takes place in a deep, controlled environment over white sand, with the aircraft reached during a carefully planned descent. The site requires disciplined execution because depth, limited bottom time, and the ascent profile shape the entire experience.
What level of diver is Wongs Black Jack suited to?
Wongs Black Jack is suited to divers prepared for deep technical exploration and strict dive procedures. You need to follow a special dive profile, manage limited bottom time, complete mandatory safety and decompression stops, and allow a minimum four-hour surface interval before another dive. Careful planning and disciplined execution are essential.
How deep is Wongs Black Jack, and how is the dive managed?
Wongs Black Jack reaches a maximum depth of 50 metres, with only 10 minutes of accessible bottom time at the bomber. The dive requires a special profile, followed by a slow, controlled ascent with mandatory safety and decompression stops. A minimum four-hour surface interval is required before any subsequent dives.
What will you see at Wongs Black Jack?
At Wongs Black Jack, you descend to a World War II American bomber resting on white sand. The aircraft is largely intact, and its nose carries painted playing cards, a jack and an ace forming 21. During the brief exploration, you can observe the bomber’s sections and connect with its wartime history.
