Dive and Trek in PNG

In a world where the Internet and smartphones provide ubiquitous connectivity, it's rare to find places that are truly off the grid. Papua New Guinea is one such place. Known as PNG, it is a country of ancient traditions and few roads, where vast areas of a jungle-clad interior that remain virtually untouched by modern civilization. And in the tropical waters just offshore lie some of the planet's last pristine coral reefs.

Despite PNG's wild and exotic character, travel to this bucket-list destination isn't just for intrepid explorers — but it is something most travelers will find easier and more enjoyable when they work with a tour service that specializes in PNG itineraries. To provide our customers the best possible PNG dive and travel experience, we have partnered with The Best of PNG. Founded by an avid diver and adventurer, Chris Bartlett, The Best of PNG focuses on a select and limited number of destinations and experiences to ensure each guest receives personal attention and flexible itineraries. In the case of PNG, this takes the form of tailor-made adventures that can include stays in the country's top-rated dive lodges, outrigger river safaris, birding excursions, mountain trekking and cultural interactions such as traditional sing-sings.

PNG adventures almost always begin with a flight into the Jacksons International Airport, which is located right outside the capital city of Port Moresby. From there, onward travel almost always involves a transfer to a smaller commuter aircraft. One exception is the Loloata resort, which is set on a small island that is just a 15-minute drive and a quick ferry boat ride away from Port Moresby. Though sometimes overshadowed by more famous sites in PNG's outlying destinations, Loloata offers a full range of diving excitement, from muck to reefs to wrecks and even some big animals. It is worth considering as at least a stop-over before or after travel to more distant parts of the country. Loloata has recently re-opened after a sweeping renovation of its 23 guest rooms. The on-site dive center offers daily trips to Lion Island, Horseshoe Reef Marine Park and the wrecks of Bootless Bay.

The eastern shore of Papua's Cape Nelson is carved by a series of deep fjords, where rain-forested slopes rise above still waters. This is the setting for Tufi Dive Resort, which perches on a hillside overlooking a deep body of clear, sheltered water. Just fin kicks away from the resort dock, submerged slopes yield a wealth of macro subjects, and the fjord waters also hide historic war wrecks. But that's not the only attraction; As Tufi is also a short boat ride away from coastal reefs in the Solomon Sea. The resort's dive boats visit more than 40 open water sites where coral outcroppings are home to hundreds of species of reef fish and also attract pelagic marine life from manta rays to schooling tuna and hammerhead sharks. The resort itself is a place of rustic elegance, and in addition to diving, offers a range of water and land adventures that includes explorations of the fjords by canoe, overnight stays in traditional villages, birding safaris and treks into the island's interior.

In addition to the main island of Papua, the nation of PNG includes the smaller sister islands of New Britain and New Ireland. Remote, mountainous and almost untouched by modern civilization, these islands are home to two of PNG's most storied dive lodges. Set on the shoreline of New Britain's famed Kimbe Bay is the Walindi Plantation Resort. For more than three decades, this has been PNG's go-to destination for diving diversity and colorful reefs. And that's not hype. The bay supports half of all known species of coral in the world — more than 420 in total — along with nearly 1,000 species of fish and thousands of unique invertebrates. The resort is a true out-island gem, with an eight-room plantation-style lodge and a dozen traditional bungalows spread out along an undeveloped beach. Other Walindi Plantation Resort activities are bird watching, swim in thermal springs, viewing WWII wrecks, rainforest walks, and village visits. The resort is also the home port of one of the live-aboard MV FeBrina, which ventures into the rich and seldom-visited waters around Witu Islands and the Father's Reef systems, along with seasonal excursions to Rabaul and South Coast New Britain waters.

For a true deserted island experience, travelers can fly to even more remote New Ireland, and take a 20-minute boat ride to tiny Lissenung Island. This private island is ringed in white sand beaches, and home to a collection of rustic bungalows tucked into the lush tropical landscape. The small resort has the feel of a private camp, as the owners live on site, and join guests for family-style dinners each night. Aside from the remote island vibe, the primary draw at Lissenung is the diving. The surrounding waters are a macro hunters paradise, and the mix also includes wall, reef and wreck dives. During tide changes, currents bring sharks, tunas, mackerels, huge schools of jacks and barracudas, along with schooling Eagle Rays and Mobula Rays.

Scuba diving remains one of PNG's major tourist draws, but equally popular are the land-based excursions. In some cases, these can be enjoyed from the same resorts that offer diving. A prime example is Tufi, where guests can dive a war wreck one day, then take an outrigger canoe trip to a hidden waterfall the next. Those looking for more than a day trip can schedule an overnight stay at a traditional village, or join a guided trek deeper into the interior. Also popular are trips on the country's Sepik River. Multi-day cruises along this storied waterway carry visitors into a region where centuries-old customs such as Sing Sings and Crocodile Ceremonies are still practiced in earnest and not as a show for tourists. For a more upscale take ongoing native, The Best of PNG tour service works with a collection of PNG's upscale wilderness lodges, which are equipped to deliver modern luxuries in a rustic setting, and serve as base camps for daily forays into nature and the country's fascinating and diverse cultural landscape.

Whether it's diving in some of the planet's most productive waters, cruising a wild river, or experiencing some of the world's last true indigenous cultures, We can help plan every detail of your PNG adventures. To learn more, talk to our dive travel specialists at 800-330-6611 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.