Sandaun and East Sepik
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Positives
- Consistent monsoon swell
- Fun sized uncrowded waves
- Low tourist numbers
- Cheap surf camp option
Negatives
- No outstanding breaks
- Tricky access and transport
- Hot and sticky weather
- Street crime and diseases
Sandaun and East Sepik surf travel guide
PNG is exposed to three seas of which the Bismarck Sea (backed by the Pacific Ocean) is the major swell producer. This NW-N monsoon swell affects Sandaun (the tok pisin word for sundown), an undeveloped region bordering Indonesia's Papua region, with 260km of mostly grey sand coastline where expats, based in Vanimo, working in the logging industry discovered good surf on this mountainous coast.
Surf spots in Sandaun and East Sepik
Research the 13 surf breaks in Sandaun and East Sepik and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 13 breaks in Sandaun and East Sepik.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Sandaun and East Sepik
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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.
Getting There
Air Niugini or Airlink from Port Moresby to Vanimo (VAI) via Wewak (WWK). Daily flights via Madang to Wewak. POM-VAI: $95 o/w. Air Niugini flies a fleet of Fokker 28; boards over 8ft could be a problem.
Getting Around
Transport is very limited because of poor roads. Most travel is by PMV (Passenger Motor Vehicle): a bus, a truck or even a motorboat. Buses are cheap but dirty and crowded. Hertz car rental for a Toyota Corolla is $67/day. Local boats can be hired cheaply. Katani 2, a 58ft sailing catamaran can be chartered with PNG expert Surf the Earth (STE).
Accommodation
Lido Village has local homestays ($20/n). For A/C rooms, stay in Vanimo Beach Hotel ($130/n) or the Sandaun Surf Hotel ($120/n). Book basic Vanimo Surf Lodge ($100-149/n) through Perfect Wave. The Catholic churches run guesthouses ($50/n). Various hotels, guesthouses and backpackers available in Wewak including the Sepik Surf Site Lodge. An average meal is $10.
Activities
Vanimo is a pretty little seaside town with a free trade zone. Take a trip over the Indonesian border to the bustling city of Jayapura. Wewak is way busier, but don't expect nightlife or shopping. Visit the Japanese war memorial, WWII bomb craters, one of five markets to buy sacred masks and carvings or play golf.
Hazards & hassles
Street crime stories are plentiful but PNG is big and Sepik is safe. Pack antibiotic cream for reef cuts. Transport and hygiene are hassley. This area is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
Handy Hints
There are surfboards for rent at Lido Village. Each surfer pays a one-off payment of AUD$50 plus AUD$12 per day as part of the Surf Management Plan run by the Surfing Association of PNG (SAPNG) to help with traditional rights, development, sustainable surf numbers and conservation.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.