Papua New Guinea
Oceanic Pacific: world-class diving in the Bismarck Sea and Trobriand Islands
Overview
Papua New Guinea is the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, just 150 km north of Australia at the nearest point. It is mountainous in the centre, with lowland tropical forest along the north and south coasts, and a very convoluted geology in the east where three tectonic plates meet.
More than 1,000 cultural groups coexist in PNG, and there are officially 851 indigenous languages - diversity on the rampage. The coastal waters, and in particular the islands of the Bismarck Archipelago and the Trobriand Islands, offer some of the best diving in the world.
What PNG lacks in sophistication - five-star hotels and the like - is more than made up for on board a superyacht. The cruising season runs from May to October, depending on the region, with a monsoon from December to March.
Cruising & Map
Map Key - Ports & Cruising
- Royal Papua Yacht Club Marina (Port Moresby)
- Milne Bay - Alotau & the Louisiades
- Madang
- Rabaul & Kokopo (New Britain)
- Kavieng (New Ireland)
✈ Jacksons International Airport (Port Moresby)
Cruising also the Trobriand & D'Entrecasteaux Islands. Most anchorages have a mud bottom.
Getting There & Clearance
Clearance
Clearance is handled by the PNG Immigration & Citizenship Service Authority and PNG Customs. The official port of entry is Port Moresby (VHF 16). A local agent is essential given the remoteness of the cruising grounds.
Government Contacts
Immigration: ica.gov.pg
Ports: pngports.com.pg
International Airports
Jacksons International (Port Moresby) · Wewak · Daru.
Key Anchorages
Milne Bay & the Louisiades · Trobriand Islands · Madang · Rabaul & Kimbe (New Britain) · Kavieng.
Local Services
Agents
Melanesian Luxury Yachts
Charter & Diving
Indies Trader Marine Adventures
Shipyards
PNG Dockyard
Yacht Clubs
Royal Papua Yacht Club · Lae Yacht Club
Security
Kinetic Fighting
Cruising
Bismarck Archipelago · Trobriand Islands
APSA Grand Tour: Papua New Guinea
Angela Pennefather of Melanesian Luxury Yachts leads APSA's Grand Tour of Papua New Guinea, from Port Moresby to the world-class diving of the Bismarck Sea and the Trobriand Islands.
APSA Members in Papua New Guinea
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do superyachts clear in to Papua New Guinea?
Port Moresby is the official port of entry, on VHF 16, handled by the PNG Immigration & Citizenship Service Authority and PNG Customs. A local agent is essential given the remoteness of the cruising grounds.
When is the best time to cruise Papua New Guinea?
The cruising season runs from May to October, depending on the region, with a monsoon from December to March.
Where is the best diving in Papua New Guinea?
The islands of the Bismarck Archipelago and the Trobriand Islands offer some of the best diving in the world, with rich coral reefs, WWII wrecks and hugely diverse marine life.
Where can superyachts cruise in Papua New Guinea?
Highlights include Milne Bay and the Louisiades in the south-east, Madang on the north coast, Rabaul and Kimbe on New Britain, and Kavieng on New Ireland. Most anchorages have a mud bottom.
Which APSA members are based in Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea's APSA member is Melanesian Luxury Yachts, a port agency providing provisioning, visas, guides and travel services across PNG and the Solomon Islands.