 New
Ireland Province offers a very healthy range of
surfing possibilities for the adventurous surfer.
Best identified nowadays, is the northern end
of mainland New Ireland and around the Kavieng
area. There are plenty of options down the east
coast along the Boluminski Highway. To the west
of Kavieng extends the Bismarck Achipelago, with
over a hundred islands extending out to New Hanover
which also has brilliant potential and uncrowded,
often deserted reef breaks. Other large island
groups are only now being identified with great
new surfing possibilities emerging.
Kavieng is located just a couple of degrees south
of the equator, and from November to April, during
the northern hemisphere monsoon, the north coast
and the string of island leading to the west,
do enjoy North Pacific Ocean swells.
 Nowadays,
Kavieng is reasonably well known for having access
to a good range of quality reef breaks in relatively
close vicinity. Surf within the Kavieng area is
now well identified, and has hosted many a traveling
surfer. Most breaks in New Ireland Province are
reef breaks, and vary in their degree of difficulty,
depending on the size and direction of the swell,
and the depth of the reef.
Naturally, access is important, with the Kavieng
area and the east coast most accessible and most
frequented. Locations further a field, are now
being serviced by charter vessels based out of
Kavieng.
 Being
based only a few degrees south of the equator
ensures relatively stable weather patterns, although
the area does enjoy good ocean swell generated
in the North Pacific from Northern hemisphere
monsoons (November to April). When these swells
meet the myriad of reefs, the potential becomes
very obvious. Swells generally range between 2
– 6 feet, and sometimes bigger. Most all
breaks are over coral reef, which makes surfing
all the more interesting.
The Kavieng area hosts the Kavieng Surf Club,
with a new Club likely to emerge in Central New
Ireland in the near future. These Clubs are affiliate
Clubs of the Surfing Association of Papua New
Guinea (SAPNG) and the Niu Ailan Surfriders Alliance
(NASA). For more information surfing in New Ireland
visit NASA's website at www.surfingpng-newireland.org.pg
and the Associations website at www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg
which covers the best identified parts of the
county for surf tourism, and essential information.
In an effort to promote sustainable development
of this growing sport, the Niu Ailan Surfriders
Alliance manage and oversee Surf Management Plans
in four areas of New Ireland, essentially a surf
quota system with prescribed base fees generated
and dispersed between the Club and the resident
communities adjacent the resource.
 Visiting
surfers to the Kavieng, East Coast, Central Coast
and Lavongai (New Hanover) areas will need to
make contact with the Niu Ailan Surfriders Alliance
regarding the availability of space under the
Management Plans. These Management Agreements
are not exclusive to New Ireland, as other forms
exist in other parts of Papua New Guinea, with
the aim of fostering local club development, community
development initiatives, good relations and just
as importantly, sustainable surfing development
and a truly unforgettable PNG surfing experience.
Other locations are free to explore and utilize
but it is essential that good sense prevail and
residing communities be approached and give permission
to Go for It ! Papua New Guinea acknowledges Customary
Rights to Reefs and best not to simply assume,
but to check first.
Correspondence should be forwarded to the Niu
Ailan Surfriders Alliance via email nasa@surfingpng-newireland.org.pg.
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