Lissenung Island

Picture a small private island with a white sandy beach, tall palm trees, beautiful flowers, magnificent sunsets and tradtionional bungalows. Surrounding this beautiful hideaway are some of the most colourful reefs and the best fish life this planet has to offer....

Just north of Australia lies Papua New Guinea - The Land of the Unexpected.

After a 1:30 hour flight from Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, you reach Kavieng. Situated only 2 degree south of the equator, on the north-western end of the island of New Ireland, you find yourself in this small, laid-back town. Often referred to as a typical "Somerset Maugham" South Pacific island setting, you are now right between two crystal clear oceans: The South Pacific in the north and the Bismarck Sea in the south.

However, this area has not always been so peaceful. During World War II, Kavieng had been occupied by Japanese troops and was finally freed by the allied forces in 1945. A few wrecks from this time still remind us of the battles fought in this area so many years ago.
But the real attraction of the waters around Kavieng is the fish life. Come along with us and we show you more.......

Lissenung Island Resort is located a 20 minute boat ride away from Kavieng. The resort, which was started in early 1996, is all there is on the island. There are only 4 bungalows with a total of 7 rooms, accommodating a maximum of 14 guests. Other than a handful of local staff, you won't see another soul. You can easily circumnavigate the entire island in about 10-15 minutes. Deckchairs and a bottle of wine on the beach at sunset time are the perfect way of ending an exciting day of diving.

The set-up of the resort is simple but comfortable and Lissenung Diving is the first address for divers visiting the Kavieng area.

The main house offers comfortable chairs on a sandy floor and it is here where cold drinks and delicious meals await you. Fresh seafood, such as fish, crabs and crayfish (lobster) feature high on a menu where set meals are served, rather than actually giving out a menu to choose from. Special dietary requirements can be catered for on request. Please advise us of those as early as possible, as food supplies can be a little limited at times.

Many of the ingredients used in our meals come from the local market in Kavieng or are bought from the vendors that either visit our island or come out to meet our dive boats at various dive sites. We buy fresh fruit such as pineapple and bananas as well as all our seafood from these people.

Beer and Wine are available at the resort, but feel free to bring along your own alcoholic beverages. Especially spirits are often unavailable in PNG.

All buildings are built in the traditional style, most of them with thatched roofs and from bamboo woven walls. The local "building materials" are surprisingly strong and withstand even the strongest rainstorms.

Some local artifacts, which are also for sale, complete the picture and give the buildings that great PNG atmosphere

Accommodation

• The 4 bungalows are spread out over the island, giving the guests plenty of privacy. 3 of the 4 bungalows house 2 double or twin rooms
• The last bungalow is a one-room bungalow
• The bungalows are the only buildings on the island that have a timber floor. All other buildings have sand floors.
• All rooms are fitted with a mosquito net over the bed, a ceiling fan, a large desk and a warderobe. All bungalows also have a big verandah with comfortable chairs to relax in after the diving.
• The beautiful breeze that reaches every corner of the island ensures that no air-conditioning is necessary.
• Four of the rooms have their own ensuite bathroom each, with toilet, basin and shower. For the other three rooms, the share facilities are just a short stroll away.
• Although the water in your shower is not heated, the warm environment (28° Celsius/83F) usually ensures a pleasant water temperature.
• The big desk in front of the window is ideal for photographers, giving them plenty of natural light to work by and ensure that all camera gear is ready for the next dive
• There are also a number of powerpoints in each room, so batteries can be re-charged at all times.
• The rooms are serviced daily and all linen and towels are provided.
• Lissenung Island Resort is a PDAI GO ECO operator and as such, we are committed to minimise diver's impact on the aquatic ecosystem whilst contributing to environmental, economic and cultural conservation.

Lissenung Island and the local community

Lissenung Island Resort prides itself on supporting the local communities. We purchase the vast majority of our produce for meals at the local markets or from the locals directly. Almost daily, fishermen and other neighbours paddle over in their dug-out canoes to sell us their wares. This ensures that the seafood and fruits are as fresh as possible.

We also pay reef fees to various communities, which goes towards the upkeep of communal facilities such as schools, aid posts, building supplies etc.

All our staff live on Enuk Island, which is the closest island to Lissenung and "our" community. A visit can be organised to have a look at the school and for a stroll through the village. It's only a 5 minute ride away and the whole trip usually takes approx. 1.5 hours. A small fee of A$12.00/US$10.00 is charged and goes toward the upkeep of the school, which doesn't get much government funding. Schoolbooks, tables, chairs and other material is purchased with this money.
The kids from this school also perform sing-sings at Lissenung. These traditional dances, with local music, hand-made instruments and costumes, tell stories about hunting, fishing etc. The resort pays for these performances and the money earned also goes toward the school.
Feel free to bring along excercise books, pencils and similar items. They are always a great hit with the kids!

Adventures In Paradise

Yacht Charters can take you on a voyage of discovery around the beautiful tropical islands of the Bismarck Archipelago in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea on Tiki Tu, a 33’ sailing catamaran.

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The islands of the Bismarck Archipelago are untouched by mass tourism, untroubled by 5-star resorts and package tourists not interested in the culture of the country that they are visiting. Every experience that you have will feel like you are the first to experience it, the first person to visit this island village, surf this wave or snorkel on this reef. New Ireland is an honest place full of people ready to invite you into their lives and their homes and allow you to have an experience that you will never, ever forget.

Adventures In Paradise Yacht Charters are the only yacht charters operating on a full time basis in Papua New Guinea.

Your hosts, Adam and Danielle Smith, can offer you an exclusive, uncomplicated, unspoilt, unbelievable experience concentrating on your interests. Every charter is tailored to the desires of those on board. There are no set departure dates or lengths of charter. Enjoy a few days’ island hopping and snorkelling, or set sail for a month and do it all, exploring river systems, fishing, snorkelling, hiking, surfing, visiting villages and more.

Travel Agents Enquiry Here