"When it comes to surfing, PNG now holds the mantle once held by Bali in the 60’s as a secret surfing Nirvana – a stunning setting for endless waves which roll through unridden, just begging for surfers.

Think about it: up at 6am, hop in the outboard, ferry out to one of the numerous breaks – if one isn’t pumping, another around the corner will be – surf ‘til your stomach hurts, back to base for a gourmet brekky, then back out for another few hours.

And so the days pass by in a blur of sets with more barrel waves than you could ever imagine in one session.

Yes, it is that good.

Nusa Island off Kavieng on New Ireland is a favoured spot as is Vanimo on the north-west coast of mainland PNG. And with nearly 600 islands to explore you’d be mad not to hop a boat to discover your own south seas paradise.

Try the sleek Tiki Tu catamaran for custom charters out of Kavieng.." Chris Ord, Get Lost Magazine

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We came to Papua New Guinea initially, in search of just that – undiscovered waves going unridden. Sick and tired of hassling for waves, totally over the cold water of Victoria in Australia’s south, and wanting to find our own secret spots we came to New Ireland and headed out to find waves away from the already well-known spots around Kavieng township.

And we found them, plenty of them.

Easily accessible, with heaps of variety, and open to the north-west swells that hit the area from November through to April. We were so convinced that the area had such great potential for discovering even more waves, we decided to bring our yacht to New Ireland, and continue the search.

Tiki Tu has been based in Kavieng since 2004, and we have been lucky to have pioneered some great surfing locations. Adam, your skipper, has been surfing for over 35 years and is the best person to take you surfing to the breaks in this area, many of which he found and named.

The most recognised surfing areas of New Ireland now have Surf Management Plans in place, which limit the number of visiting surfers to ensure uncrowded conditions. The most well known and visited area is the Kavieng Surf Managed Area (established in 2003). Recently, Surf Management Plans have been established for the East Coast of Mainland New Ireland and for the North Lavongai area.

These plans are administered by the Niu Ailan Surfriders Alliance (formerly the Kavieng Surf Club), and you can obtain a copy by emailing us, or the Niu Ailan Surfriders Alliance on kaviengsurfclub@global.net.pg. This quota system is fantastic for promoting uncrowded conditions, but be warned, the quota can book out quite a fair way in advance.

Adam is the Vice-President of the Niu Ailan Surfriders Alliance, and Dani is Secretary.

We take you to the North Lavongai area or you can choose to hang around the Kavieng area (see the ‘Surf Kavieng More Often’ Tour details below).

The coasts of Lavongai (New Hanover) and its outer islands has proved to be the most reliable outer area with lots of great waves and still more yet to be found and ridden. We’re still finding more breaks on each trip, and many of our guests have been "the first" to surf these waves – a very rare experience in the overcrowded world elsewhere.

The areas we frequent have uncrowded reefs and points, most with an excellent anchorage nearby or right next to the break.
Our swell season from November through April is pretty consistent, with very few flat spells, however it is true that we don’t get quite the consistency and size as say the Mentawais do, but you don’t have to contend with dozens of other boats turning up to spoil the experience.

Guests aboard Tiki Tu are often surprised to discover that PNG has an indigenous form of surfing, practiced long before the arrival of the white skins and modern surfboards. Surf craft are usually discarded and reshaped pieces of outrigger canoe hulls and ridden either lying down or sometimes standing up.

Crew are blown away by the stoke and the spirit the local kids have for surfing. This is perhaps the most pure form of surfing experience available left on the planet. We suggest you see it while you still can.

We have established excellent relationships with all the island communities which we visit. The South Pacific reputation of hospitality or Aloha spirit is not only still alive, but often overwhelming to newcomers. On arrival at some destinations, flotillas of canoes come out from the shore to welcome the new visitors. And there is always an audience cheering you on when you are out surfing.

The spot that we visit most has loads of breaks over a relatively small area, hosting three rights and a very long, fast and hollow left, locally known as Malili, and is very similar to Tavarua. Vala Vala is a right point/reef without coral and is a great hotdog wave. The same spot has a left and right A-frame peak named Gas Chambers, as it spits in both directions. Very short but sweet tube.

The area has more great reef passes between the offshore islands. Don’t bother trying to find these spots on a map though, as the entire area is literally uncharted. Strange but true.

Winds in the area are generally light and variable, so an offshore wind can usually be found, and most spots are surfable on all tides, but better around high water.

After several surfing trips to other Pacific island countries – Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Philippines and Vanuatu – we believe that New Ireland has better surf more often than most Pacific destinations.

The best thing about cruising this area is the real possibility of finding that virgin wave. If you’re not the first person ever to have surfed it, you will certainly feel like you are.

This is a true surfing frontier.

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The ‘Surf Kavieng More Often’ Tour

Tiki Tu can also be chartered as a live-aboard within the Kavieng area. If you’d rather not spend time travelling to the outer islands, you can choose to surf in and around Kavieng Harbour.

This is by far the best way to maximise your surf time. We simply anchor right on the best break of the day, or just move around as the waves dictate.

All the reefs around Kavieng have an anchorage immediately next to them, so if you’re not surfing, you can keep your eye on the action from the yacht, or dangle a line over the side, go snorkelling, or shoot the action from the comfort and shade of the catamaran.

By staying on Tiki Tu, anchored at any break you like, you are free to surf when its best, or whenever you like. You still have access to Kavieng town, and Nusa Island Retreat for bars and nightlife.

So, if you have a limited time, and simply want to surf more often in the best waves in the Kavieng Area, consider a stay on Tiki Tu. Think about it – no surf transfer fees or waiting for a boat to take you to a break – you’re already there.

All you have to do is book in early to assure yourself a spot in the line-up.

The Kavieng Surf Management Plan is virtually booked out for the 2007/2008 season, so book now for the 2008/2009 summer season.