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Back to Kimbe

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Voykit pocket guide · Papua New Guinea

Kimbe

Spend 5–7 days for diving and reef exploration; 2–3 days if only passing through as a port stop.

Kimbe is the capital of West New Britain, a fast‑growing port on Kimbe Bay with world‑class coral reefs. Flights connect from Port Moresby to Hoskins (30 km away). The town offers diving, snorkeling, a golf course and basic lodging, but transport beyond the immediate area is mainly by boat.

Port MoresbyAlotauBuloloDaruGorokaKainantuKaviengKeremaKiungaLaeMadangMendiNamatanaiRabaulKimbe200 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Papua New Guinea
Best months
mid‑Aug to late‑Dec and Feb to May/Jun
Avoid
none specific; check local weather forecasts
Stay
5–7 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 30–45 excl. bed · Mid PGK 45–70 excl. bed · High PGK 70–100 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.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Meal at San Remo ClubPGK 15–25
Bottle of local beerPGK 3–5
Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))PGK 20–30
Diving entry (single dive)PGK 120–180

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

HKN · Hoskins Airport
Air Niugini 1–3 daily flights from Port Moresby; ~30 km (19 mi) from Kimbe

Typical fares

Port Moresby → Hoskins (Air Niugini)
≈ PGK 350 one‑way, 45 min (check)
Taxi Kimbe → Hoskins Airport
≈ PGK 20–30, 30 min
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

Roads link Kimbe, Hoskins airport and nearby plantations; otherwise travel is by boat.

See and do

Known for

  • Kimbe Bay diving
  • Coral reef biodiversity
  • Palm‑oil industry
  • Golf at San Remo Club

Day trips

WhereHowTime
RabaulAir Niugini flight from Hoskins to Rabaul, about 45 min≈1 h total

Sleep

Palm Lodge
36 rooms, private facilities, central Kimbe
Liamo Reef Resort
38 air‑conditioned rooms, diving & fishing tours
Palm Resort Hotel
Older hotel near Hoskins airport, private facilities
Walindi Plantation Resort
Beach bungalows for divers, rainforest garden
Mahonia na Dari
Marine research station, rooms at K100

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorrySorisori
Thank youTenkyutenkyu
How much is it?Hau mani?hau mani?
Where is the toilet?Wen i toilet?wen i toilet?

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

  • Transport beyond town is limited to boats; plan tours in advance.
  • Safety advice can change; check local updates before arrival.

Kimbe is generally safe for tourists staying in lodges and using organized tours; remain aware of limited transport and check local security briefings.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Kimbe yet. Suggested stay: 5–7 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Kimbe Bay diving
  • Coral reef biodiversity
  • Palm‑oil industry
  • Golf at San Remo Club

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Kimbe

Plis go long dispela address

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

US consulate in Port Moresby; other embassies in Port Moresby.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/kimbe). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.