Major city · Papua New Guinea
Namatanai
Skip unless you have a specific reason: no scheduled flights, a 4-hour drive from Kavieng, and limited accommodation. One night is enough if you pass through.
Namatanai is the second-largest town in New Ireland province, linked to Kavieng by the Boluminski Highway. It has a small guesthouse and a waterfront hotel, but no scheduled air service. Most travellers use it as a stop on a New Ireland road trip rather than a destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PGK
- Best months
- May–Nov (dry season)
- avoid Dec–Apr (wet season, road conditions may worsen)
- Airport
- check
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Melanesia ↗Malaria is present in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu (not Fiji or New Caledonia): ask a travel clinic about tablets before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Every visitor needs a visa (an online e-visa, or a visa on arrival for a short list of passports) and must file the free Digital Arrival Card before landing: check the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority for your passport before booking.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Some governments advise against travel to parts of the Highlands provinces because of tribal fighting; check your own government's current advice before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Almost all land is customary: ask permission before walking, swimming or photographing, and expect to pay fees to landowners.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Namatanai112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Namatanai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the kina (PGK, K).Papua New Guinea-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Papua New Guinea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and hotels: Not expected.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Papua New Guinea-wide
- SafetyNamatanai is generally safe during the day, but crime can occur.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 111 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and for several days around Independence Day; many shops close Sunday afternoon; lodges may close in the wet season.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- Airportcheckcheck Namatanai Airport (No scheduled services; runway closed to regular flights.
- Getting aroundWalk or arrange a ride with your accommodation.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)K8–12
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (self-catering), a night, per roomPGK 100
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (self-catering), a night, per roomPGK 150
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (self-catering), a night, per roomPGK 200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PGK 200 · Mid PGK 350 · High PGK 600
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- check Namatanai Airport (No scheduled services; runway closed to regular flights. Nearest airport with scheduled service is Kavieng (KVG).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Aug (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Namatanai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or arrange a ride with your accommodation. No public transport within town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 4 h
Boluminski Highway by car or PMV (public motor vehicle)
Provincial capital with surf, diving and the Kavieng Market.
Lihir Island
cautionDoor to door: Several hours
Occasional boat from Namatanai (check locally)
Gold mine island; no tourist infrastructure. Arrange through a local contact.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Namatanai Hotel on the waterfront; Boluminski Guesthouse a couple of km out.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- K150–250
- Mid
- K250–400
- High
- K400+
Trip budget
| Hotel en-suite room1 × 1 night × PGK 300 | PGK 300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PGK 350 | PGK 700 |
| PMV from Kavieng, one way2 × PGK 50 · check | PGK 100 |
| Private transfer Kavieng–Namatanai1 × PGK 400 · check | PGK 400 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PGK 225 |
| Trip total≈ PGK 863 per person per day, bed included | PGK 1,725 |
2026 estimate in kina; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at hotel restaurant | K30–60 |
| Beer (bottle) | K8–12 |
| PMV ride within towncheck | K5–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No scheduled flights: the airport is closed to regular services.
- Boluminski Highway is sealed for most of the way but has a crushed coral surface near Namatanai – drive carefully.
- Limited dining and shopping; bring supplies from Kavieng.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 111
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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NamatanaiNamatanai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Long dispela adres, plisTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance111
- Fire110
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PMV Kavieng → Namatanai: about K50, 4 h (check)
- Private transfer Kavieng → Namatanai: K350–500 (check)
Say or show
- Gude — Hello (goo-deh)
- Tenkyu — Thank you (ten-kyoo)
- Hamas? — How much? (ha-mas)
- Wea guesthouse i stap? — Where is the guesthouse? (weh guest-house ee stap)
Tok Pisin is widely spoken; English is understood in hotels.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Namatanai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Nov (dry season) · avoid Dec–Apr (wet season, road conditions may worsen) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Namatanai
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