PNG - Kavieng / Rabaul area

[NYCcowgirl]

Hi all, still working on final details for my Pacific islands extravaganza this Sep/Oct. I am considering adding some more time in PNG so I can see more than one part of the country. Not a hundred percent certain I can squeeze it into the budget, but I think it would be worth the effort!
Anyone have experience / advice for this area? Specifically, I am looking at Lissening Island Resort vs. Nusa Island Retreat vs. Rapopo Plantation Resort. Rapopo is the most affordable, but Nusa has some intriguing local residents. They all offer diving & flights are comparably priced to Kavieng & Rabaul. Any help to narrow it down would be most welcome. Thanks!

 

[rmorgan]

What else are you doing in PNG?

 

[NYCcowgirl]

What else are you doing in PNG?

I'll be at Tufi Resort for 10 days (first stop is 2 wks in Solomons, then Fiji on the way home).

 

[clownfishsydney]

I have stayed on Nusa Island about 17 years ago, was very good. Friends have used Lissenang in the past two years, again very good. Kavieng area is more remote as is the diving, some sites are a long way from the resorts but are very good.

I have also dived Rabaul (on the same trip) but used an operator that no longer exists. They diving was also very good. Both have wrecks and reefs.

See my website for some information about the sites I dived. Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Web Site

 

[NYCcowgirl]

I have stayed on Nusa Island about 17 years ago, was very good. Friends have used Lissenang in the past two years, again very good. Kavieng area is more remote as is the diving, some sites are a long way from the resorts but are very good.

I have also dived Rabaul (on the same trip) but used an operator that no longer exists. They diving was also very good. Both have wrecks and reefs.

See my website for some information about the sites I dived. Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Web Site

I spent a lot of time browsing your site when I first started planning this trip - it's amaaazingly comprehensive - I have done quite a few dives but I am in awe of the sheer number of dives and places you have covered. Thank you for taking the time to share it all - definitely a fabulous resource!!!

 

[rmorgan]

@NYCcowgirl, did you finalize your plans for PNG?

 

[NYCcowgirl]

@NYCcowgirl, did you finalize your plans for PNG?

Yes, I decided to go w Nusa Island Retreat - it just looks so lovely & peaceful, and I would actually rather stay somewhere that is not 100% all about diving as I will have just done 10 days on the liveaboard plus 1o days at Tufi. I hope to be able to check out the market in Kavieng and spend some time just chilling on the beach. Can't wait - hopefully the flights cooperate

 

[rmorgan]

Assume and expect the worst, flight-wise. We had only one glitch, which required an overnight in Port Moresby, but we were on Oceania with three folks from Hawaii who were delayed by three days (an overnight in Hoskins, a flight canceled out of POM, another flight late out of POM, causing a missed flight out of Brisbane). Air Niugini is acquiring a number of new aircraft, but I don't think they'll arrive before you do. Have a terrific adventure!

 

[NYCcowgirl]

Assume and expect the worst, flight-wise. We had only one glitch, which required an overnight in Port Moresby, but we were on Oceania with three folks from Hawaii who were delayed by three days (an overnight in Hoskins, a flight canceled out of POM, another flight late out of POM, causing a missed flight out of Brisbane). Air Niugini is acquiring a number of new aircraft, but I don't think they'll arrive before you do. Have a terrific adventure!

I've read plenty of the horror stories - just going to cross my fingers, hope for the best, & make sure I have extra travel insurance. Thank you!