 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). Kavieng Surf Club has an email
contact kaviengsurfclub@global.net.pg
and the Association has a web site www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg
which covers the best identified parts of the
county for surf tourism, and essential information.
With Kavieng being the most frequented location,
the reefs have come under growing pressure and
visitation. In an effort to promote sustainable
development of this growing sport, Kavieng Surf
Club manage and oversee the Kavieng Area Surf
Management Plan, essentially a surf quota system
with prescribed base fees generated and dispersed
between the Club, the resident communities adjacent
the resource, and the Surf Association.
 Visiting
surfers to the Kavieng area will need to make
contact with the Kavieng Surf Club regarding the
availability of space under the Management Plan.
These Management Agreements are not exclusive
to Kavieng, 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. A copy of the endorsed
and enforced Kavieng
Surf Area Management Plan is attached and
identifies those areas within the management plan.
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 Kavieng
Surf Club via email kaviengsurfclub@global.net.pg.
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