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Voykit pocket guide · Papua New Guinea
Kavieng
Spend 3–4 days in Kavieng for surf (Nov–Apr) or dives (Sep–Dec); fly in, stay in town, and explore on foot.
Kavieng, the capital of New Ireland province, offers surf, diving, WWII relics and a small golf course. With only a few daily flights, a short stay (3‑4 days) lets you enjoy the water activities and walk the compact town.
- Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (surf), Sep–Dec (dives)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (less surf, cooler seas)
- Stay
- 4 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PGK
- Money
- Currency is the kina (PGK, K). Cards work at larger hotels and some shops in towns; everywhere else is cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget PGK 30–50 excl. bed · Mid PGK 60–100 excl. bed · High PGK 120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Digicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns. Buy a SIM in Port Moresby with your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 110
- Plugs
- Types I · 240 V · 50 Hz · Same angled flat pins as Australia; bring a power bank, since lodges run generators for set hours.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and hotels: Not expected.; Guides and drivers: K50–100 a day as thanks if service was good (2026 estimate).; Kokoda porters: Operators set a tip pool; also give gear you no longer need, as many trekkers do.; Villages: Pay agreed custom fees rather than tipping individuals.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap. Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water; lodges supply rainwater that should be treated.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks. Carry paper and hand gel.
Get in
By air
- KVG · Kavieng Airport
- Daily Air Niugini flights from Port Moresby and Rabaul
Typical fares
- Port Moresby → Kavieng, Air Niugini
- about PGK 300–350 one‑way (check schedule)
- Airport → town centre, taxi
- around PGK 20–30 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; airport is ~1 mile from centre.
See and do
Known for
- Surfing (Nov–Apr)
- Diving on reefs and wrecks
- WWII relics
- Kavieng Club golf course
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| WWII relics at Karkar Island | Boat charter from Kavieng, about 45 min each way | ≈2 h total |
| Lissenung Island | Boat from Kavieng harbour, 20 min | ≈30 min each way, plus 2‑hour island stay |
| Namatanai (New Ireland south‑west) | Domestic flight from Kavieng Airport, ~30 min | ≈1 h including airport transfers |
Sleep
- The Peter Torot Conference Centre
- Dormitory and private rooms, owned by the diocese
- Kalaro Guest Haus
- Four air‑conditioned rooms in town centre
- Kavieng Club
- Near golf course, various room types
- Kavieng Guest House
- Seven rooms between airport and town
- Lissenung Island Resort
- 20 min boat ride, resort with diving focus
- Nusa Island Retreat
- Five‑minute boat ride, traditional bungalows, some over water
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Sorisori |
| Thank you | Tenkyutenkyu |
| How much is it? | Hau mani i stap?hau mani i stap? |
| Where is the toilet? | Wea i stap?wea i stap? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Shake hands lightly; greet everyone in a group; avoid: Crushing handshakes or ignoring elders
- Village visit: Arrive with your guide, meet the leaders first, bring a small gift if advised; avoid: Walking into gardens or houses uninvited
- Money and gifts: Pay agreed fees to the right person; avoid: Handing out money or sweets to children
- Anger: Stay calm and let your guide negotiate; avoid: Shouting; public shame can escalate quickly
- Sunday: Expect church and quiet; join a service if invited; avoid: Noisy activities near villages
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; a laplap (sarong) works; avoid: Swimwear or short shorts in villages
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited flight frequency – book early and confirm connections
- Surf management plans may limit the number of surfers at a time
Kavieng is generally safe for tourists; petty crime is low but keep valuables hidden, watch for strong currents when swimming, and follow local surf‑management rules.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kavieng yet. Suggested stay: 4 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Surfing (Nov–Apr)
- Diving on reefs and wrecks
- WWII relics
- Kavieng Club golf course
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Papua New Guinea tourism authority: www.papuanewguinea.travel/
- Wikivoyage: Kavieng, revision 5319509 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5319509
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kavieng). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.