Papua New Guinea

Country Data

Regions

2

Breaks

19

Coastline

5,152 KM

Cost of living

Capital

Port Moresby

Current Time

Security

Health

Where to surf in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is known as 'the land of the unexpected' with its enormous diversity of cultures, peoples, and landscapes. It is one of only three tropical areas in the world that also supports a glacier, high up on Mount Jaya's 5,000m (16,404ft) peak. PNG is 2,400km (1,500mi) long and 720km (450mi) wide and is exposed to three seas. Port Moresby is the mainland capital city, facing the Coral Sea, which produces erratic surf, and the town of Hula is the most consistent area. The Solomon Sea is similarly unreliable, leaving the Bismarck Sea (backed by the Pacific Ocean) as the major swell producer.

Mainland

The NW-N swell affects many different provinces including East Sepik and Sandaun (the tok pisin word for sundown, formerly West Sepik province), an undeveloped region bordering West Papua, with 260km (163mi) of mostly grey-sand coastline.

Tupira in Ulingan Bay, Madang province is a consistent swell magnet close to five user-friendly, limestone bottomed breaks and has become a contest site for the world longboard championships.

Bismarck Archipelago

Offshore the New Ireland province of the Bismarck Archipelago is home to Kavieng, PNG's best known surf area.

The north coast road of New Ireland works in any N swell and there’s a surf camp located centrally at Rubio Plantation Retreat.

Offshore islands like Simberi have been surfed and expats surf Rabaul, despite poor direct swell exposure. Bougainville and Manus islands present the biggest exploration possibilities within the swell window.

Papua New Guinea surf map

Explore the 2 regions & 19 surf breaks in Papua New Guinea.

Travel Information

General
Current Time
Tourists
140,000
Population
8,947,024
Tourist Info
Tourist Info

Security

Health

Money
Currency
PGK
Exchange rate
$1 = 3.01 PGK PGK

Cost of living

Communication
Dialing in
+675
Dialing out
05
Language
Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, English (Pidgin), 800 local languages
Electricity
Plug Type
i
Visas

Most nationalities can get a free visa on arrival for stays of up to 60 days. Australians currently only get 30 days.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.

Library

Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Papua New Guinea.

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