Tingwon Island, Papua New Guinea

Tingwon Island is located in the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea. It is situated almost 30km due west from New Hanover and some 6 hours by boat from Kavieng, the provincial capital. A colorful oblong reef surrounds this small group of three wooded islets.

Tingwon village is a short walk inland along an avenue of coconut palms. The inhabitants of charming Tingwon are very hospitable and their dance performances are very colorful.

The islets have excellent reef walking opportunities, and fine snorkelling and diving among large pelagic fish. Unusual gorgonian fan corals and ripple-lipped giant tridacna clams can be seen in the waters surrounding the island. Other attractions on the island include Tingliwanimat cave, bushwalking, canoeing and a lesson in weaving from the locals.

Things to See and Do

* Diving & snorkelling
* Tingliwanimat cave
* Village visit
* Bush walking
* Canoeing

Cruise Season – Jan – Dec
Currency – Papua New Guinean kina (PGK)
Language – English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu
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 – The Port is located in Kavieng and anchorage is available at Tingwon Island.

Transport Links – The National Flag Carrier, Air Niugini operate flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns in Australia, and from Manila, Honiara, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, directly into Port Moresby. Air Niugini flights are code-shared with Qantas.
Airlines PNG fly from Brisbane and Cairns directly to Port Moresby.

The main provincial airport is located in Kavieng, only 2 minutes out of town. There are daily flights from Port Moresby to Kavieng with Air Niugini, as well as flights from Rabaul to Kavieng (via Lihir) 6 days a week with Airlink. There is also an airport in Namatanai, towards the southern end of New Ireland. Airlink currently flies from Rabaul to Namatanai once a week.

Most days, the flights from Port Moresby to Kavieng stop over in at least one other destination in Papua New Guinea on the way to or from Kavieng. It is also possible to charter planes or helicopters from other areas of Papua New Guinea directly into Kavieng, with Hevilift, Tropicair, Islands Nationwide, Heli Niugini and Niugini Helicopters.

Rabaul Shipping have a weekly passenger ferry which operates between Rabaul and Kavieng. This ferry service also extends from Rabaul into other areas of Papua New Guinea. It is also possible to catch a banana boat between Kokopo and the south-western side of New Ireland, near Uluputur, which then has easy access to Namatanai.