Kavieng is the capital city of the New Ireland province of Papua New Guinea.

Mask from the Malagan people

Understand

Kavieng is located on the northern tip of the New Ireland. With only one or two flights arriving every day, it is not a major tourist destination. However, with excellent diving, sailing, fishing and surfing it can offer a rewarding visit for those with the time, and money, to seek it out. Visible from Kavieng are the many islands lying between New Ireland and New Hanover.

On January 21, 1942, Kavieng was bombed by Japanese forces. The Japanese invaded and occupied the island. By the time the Allies retook the island in 1945, Kavieng had been almost completely destroyed. Today Kavieng is New Ireland's export port for copra and other products and is home to a thriving tourism industry.

As a result of the Japanese occupation and subsequent Allied invasion there are several relics from WWII in the town.

Get in

• Air Niugini has daily flights from the nation's capital, Port Moresby, as well as flights from Rabaul, Manus and other locations in PNG.

Get around

The town of Kavieng is small and can be safely visited on foot. Even the airport is only one mile from the center.

Do

• Surfing. The northern end of mainland New Ireland around Kavieng is a popular surfing area, with North Pacific Ocean swells between November and April. PNG surf tourism promoters have entered into partnership with local land and reef owners to develop "surf management plans." These provide resource owners with income from the surfers and limit the number of surfers at one time.

Wreck in Kavieng Harbor

• Diving. Most of the islands between Kavieng and New Hanover to the north are fringed with reefs. Numerous currents bring in nutrients for the sea life. Several dive companies operate from the town, and organize dives both to natural sites and wrecks dating from World War II. Dive organizers include:

• Scuba Ventures Kavieng.

• Fishing. The seas around Kavieng have an abundance of fish of many species (see New Ireland article). Companies providing fish charters include:

• Sports Fishing New Ireland. Operate the 42-foot MV Maikara for 4-5 day fishing cruises or day trips from Kavieng.

• Play golf. Rounds can be played on a nine-hole course at the Kavieng Club.

Buy

• Carvings. New Ireland is home of some unique carvings from the Malagan culture. These are to be found in collections and museums all over the world but these days only a few skilled carvers remain.

Sleep

Budget

• Noah’s Ark Transit House, Ligga Village (5km from Kavieng), ☏ +675 9841267. Basic accommodation overlooking the sea for backpackers and groups. 
• Rawal Tropical Guesthouse, P.O. Box 125, ☏ +675 984 1097, fax: +675 984 1098. Attractive new construction in the center of town. 
• The Peter Torot Conference Centre, Tabar Terrace, PO Box 49, ☏ +675 9842682, fax: +675 9841279. Owned by the diocese of Kavieng. Dormitory and private accommodation. 

Mid-range

• Kalaro Guest Haus, Enuk Street, PO Box 539, ☏ +675 984 2546. Four air-conditioned rooms in the center of town. 
• Kavieng Club, Coronation Drive, PO 62, ☏ +675 9842224, fax: +675 9842457, kaviengclub@global.net.pg. Next to the golf course, this offers a range of accommodation types. 
• Kavieng Guest House, Emirau St, PO Box 691, ☏ +675 984 1165. Seven rooms between the airport and town. 

Splurge

• Kavieng Hotel. The town's main hotel, for visiting business people and tourists. 
• Lissenung Island Resort, P.O.Box 536, ☏ +675-7234 5834, info@lissenung.com. On a very small island, 20 minutes by boat from Kavieng, the resort offers attractive accommodation and diving. 
• Nusa Island Retreat, PO Box 305, ☏ +675 984 2247, fax: +675 984 2404, nir@global.net.pg. On an island five minutes from Kavieng, this resort offers traditional-style bungalows, including some built over the sea.