Louisiade Archipelago

The Louisiade Archipelago is a string of ten larger volcanic islands frequently fringed by coral reefs, and 90 smaller coral islands located 200 km southeast of New Guinea. They stretch over more than 160 km and spread over an ocean area of 26,000 km² between the Solomon Sea to the north and the Coral Sea to the south.

The island of Vanatinai is the largest, Sideia Island and Basilaki Island lie closest to New Guinea, while Misima, Vanatinai, and Rossel islands lie further east. Misima is the most heavily populated island in the archipelago. It is located some 20 km north of the northwest extreme of the barrier reef of Vanatinai at Isu Raua Raua Island, and 80 km northwest of Vanatinai Island itself.

The Louisiades support many isolated settlements, all of which retain deeply traditional cultures. The climate is moist and tropical, and the islands are largely covered with tropical moist broadleaf forests. The Louisiade Archipelago rain forests form a distinct ecoregion, and are home to a number of endemic species of trees, frogs, lizards and birds.

Things to See and Do

* Snorkelling & diving
* Beaches
* Village tours
* Water sports
* Trekking
* Bird watching

Cruise Season – Jan – Dec
Currency – Papua New Guinean kina (PGK)
Language – English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu
Land Area – 1,790 km²
Population – 30,000 approx
Electricity – 2 angled flat pins and 1 round pin centred below Australian style
Time – GMT plus ten hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 675

Port Location – Anchorage is available at Vanatinai and the larger of the Louisiade islands.

Transport Links – Jackson's International Airport is the gateway of Papua New Guinea, situated about 8km away from the main town center of Port Moresby. Mt Hagen Provincial Airport has been declared International Port of entry because of the mining activities around the Highland provinces.

Local boats and ferries provide inter island services.