The idea to develop the resort came after Max and Cecilie Benjamin travelled overseas for a diving holiday in 1978 where they immediately recognised the outstanding marine biodiversity of Kimbe Bay in their own backyard.

Walindi Plantation Resort commenced on the shores of Kimbe Bay in 1983 and we are a fully family owned resort now reaching three generations. The resort has now grown to incorporate 20 accommodation units, day dive boats and links with two liveaboard dive boats.

Terrestrial outreach such as bird watching, WW2 history, village visits, thermal hot river swimming, volcano climbs as well as scuba diving and snorkeling have expanded the footprint of the resort to include many PNG traditional resource owners.

The drive for environmental education of all concerned, strong environmental protection policies such as using only permanent marine moorings at dive sites plus community consultation practices is central to the resort’s operation ethos today and for the foreseeable future.

ACCOMMODATION
Walindi Resort has two types of rooms, Bungalows (premium room type) and Plantation House Rooms (standard room type).

The Bungalows are free-standing ‘bure’ style accommodation, with ensuite bathroom, ceiling fans (no air-conditioning), tea and coffee making facilities, small fridge, closet, work desk and a private verandah. The Bungalows are located along the beachfront and have water views.

The Plantation House Rooms are slightly smaller, but still with all the same features as the Bungalows. These rooms are built in a block of four sharing a common verandah and have garden views. Room rates include all meals, daily laundry service and wi-fi at the main resort building.

Walindi Resort is proud to support sustainable building design since our foundation in 1983. We care about the environment and have designed the resort and rooms to reduce our impact and deliver effective Eco-standards to our guests.

BUNGALOWS
Bungalows are free standing “bure” style accommodation, built in local timbers and materials. They are nestled in the tropical gardens of Walindi with ocean views.

The bungalows are fan cooled and fully screened. They each have a private verandah and ensuite facilities and are accessed by paths winding through the rainforest gardens. Bungalows can be reserved as a single, twin, double or triple.

PLANTATION HOUSE ROOMS
Plantation House rooms at Walindi are built in blocks of four rooms, constructed with local timbers and materials. The rooms are situated amongst the gardens.

Plantation House Rooms are fan cooled and fully screened. Each room has private ensuite facilities and similar features to the larger bungalow accommodation. Each block shares a common verandah. Plantation House rooms can be reserved as a single, twin or double.

FACILITIES
The central resort area is the social hub of Walindi. Here you will find the tropical and airy reception, Casuarina Restaurant, lounge and bar area (Planter’s Bar), swimming pool, sundeck, Blue Taro Boutique and a comprehensive reference library with TV. Complimentary wireless internet is available in this central building.

CASUARINA RESTAURANT
The restaurant offers three meals daily (included in the tariff) and fare is Western and Asian style, delicious and plentiful, featuring local seafoods, fruits and vegetables. The beef served is produced on neighbouring Numundo Plantation. Meals are at set times. Special dietary requests will be accommodated wherever possible, just let the Manager or Reservations Staff know of your needs prior to arrival.

PLANTER’S BAR
Planter’s Bar is the perfect place to relax and socialise. Share stories with fellow guests or just watch the day draw to a close over the water before dinner. The bar is fully stocked with mixed drinks, beers, a selection of wine, soft drinks, bottled water and snacks and is open for most of the day.

LOUNGE & LIBRARY
The library/lounge is air-conditioned with comfortable seating and an extensive reference library encompassing marine life, underwater photography, local terrestrial life and history information. A small fiction section is also housed. Complimentary tea and freshly ground PNG Highlands coffee are available at all times in the lounge.

POOL & SUNDECK
The resort swimming pool and sun deck are favourite places to relax. Take a cooling dip in the pool or lay on a sun lounger overlooking Kimbe Bay.

ACTIVITIES
Kayaks & Stand Up Paddle Boards are available for in-house guests. Swimming and snorkeling are also possible from the jetty or beach area. See relevant sections for further details on activities such as diving, snorkeling, freediving, land tours and birdwatching.

SCUBA DIVING PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Papua New Guinea is located in the coral triangle, the centre of marine biodiversity which has the highest diversity of tropical fish and coral in the world. The waters of Kimbe Bay are home to prolific and diverse marine life and reef structures.

Pristine and colourful corals are home to a variety of fish, crustacean and invertebrate life and many of the reefs have resident schools of barracuda, tuna and jacks. A range of shark species are regularly sighted, including hammerheads and silvertips, particularly on the offshore reefs.

Resident pods of dolphins frequently entertain divers transiting between sites. The occasional sightings of orcas, pilot whales, whale sharks and other marine life passing through Kimbe Bay waters delight both guests and staff.

Walindi Resort has three purpose-built day boats to take guests out diving and snorkeling the wonderful waters of Kimbe Bay. The Bay with over 40 different sites to choose from, offers a variety of different sorts of dives – underwater sea-mounts, unbelievable sheer walls, fabulous coral gardens, huge fans and funky critters.

Our dive sites are suitable for all levels of diver and whatever the length of your stay, the one thing we can promise is that you will not be bored!

Walindi Resort has a full-service dive centre where our day boats are docked and prepared each day to venture out into Kimbe Bay. The dive centre features a compressor room for refilling tanks including Nitrox and a gear hire room with a full range of dive equipment available for rent.

From the moment you arrive, Walindi Resort does all the heavy lifting so guests can spend more time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful dive sites. Walindi takes care of your equipment, sets it up, packs it down and washes it each day, all guests have to do at the end of the day is step off the boat. All gear is also fully washed, dried and returned prior to check out.

Walindi’s three dive boats were all custom-built in Brisbane according to Australia’s high commercial vessel standards. Each of the three vessels is in the 9-metre range with an exceptionally wide beam for the length and are powered by Suzuki Marine’s most modern engines, ensuring a safe and comfortable ride.

If you enjoy snorkelling, why not try out diving? Or, if you are already a certified diver, why not expand your qualifications? Today scuba diving can be a very easy and pleasurable activity. No, you do not have to invest many days in the classroom and the pool.

Our highly trained instructional staff can guide you gently into this new world. Kimbe Bay offers some of the best conditions to learn to dive, with warm, clear, calm seas and a pristine underwater environment.

Your instructor will take care of the strategic planning and preparations, teach you a few tactical skills and be your personal guide to a fun and secure adventure. Walindi Resort offers the full range of PADI dive courses.

SNORKEL & FREEDIVE PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Kimbe Bay with its warm, clear, calm waters and small rainforest covered islands offers a unique and ideal place for Snorkeling. A large number of Kimbe Bay reefs come close to the surface so are very well suited for snorkeling and is one of the few places in the world where the snorkeling is at least as good (and possibly better in some areas) as the diving.

Pristine and colourful corals are home to a variety of fish, crustacean and invertebrate life and many of the reefs have resident schools of barracuda, tuna and jacks. A range of shark species are regularly sighted particularly on the offshore reefs.

Resident pods of dolphins frequently entertain snorkelers transiting between sites. The occasional sightings of orcas, pilot whales, whale sharks and other marine life passing through Kimbe Bay waters delight both guests and staff. Guests can also snorkel just in front of the resort or use the paddle boards and kayaks available to explore nearby reefs.

The configuration of the bay and its position relative to prevailing winds creates an unusually sheltered environment for the rich complex of seaward reefs.

Coupled with the spectacular underwater terrain, composed largely of steep-sided, patch, saddle, or pinnacle reefs and 100m+ depths just a few hundred metres from the resort jetty, Kimbe Bay offers the most ideal location to train and experience freediving in calm, warm waters with little current.

Walindi designed and custom made ‘Dolphin Nets’ allowing our guests to virtually swim with the pod as they ride the bow of our day boats. This method allows guests, often within touching distance, to watch their behaviour and hear the pod as they communicate with each other and if you are really lucky the same can be experienced with Orcas. These encounters are opportunistic and often occur when travelling between snorkel sites.

TOURS PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Walindi Plantation Resort has developed several exciting land tours exploring New Britain’s rainforests, rivers, volcanoes and wildlife.

For an adventure, hike up the local active volcano; for a more relaxing day visit the natural spa that is the thermal hot river; visit relics of the past with reminders of WW2; wake up early to see the sunrise and look for birds, spend the day at the local village, fly around Kimbe Bay on a scenic helicopter flight or stay up late and watch the natural lightshow of the local firefly trees. There is an adventure to suit all interests.

VOLCANO HIKE
A reasonably arduous hike uphill takes you up to the top of the active Garbuna volcano crater. The innumerable species of flora and fauna you will see in the rainforest on the climb up puts New Britain and the whole of Papua New Guinea on the top of naturalists’ and scientists’ lists.

Starting just at the edge of Walindi Plantation, this trek takes you though lush pristine rainforest, where vast trees rise to form a dense canopy. The route will take you on a gentle climb through the rainforest to the crater on a bush track known only to local guides.

On your way up keep an eye out for interesting insects, birds and plants. The route then comes out in the open scorched valley with steaming vents, volcanic rubble and hot streams.

The hike up will take approximately three hours. The walk back down (along the same route) takes approximately two to three hours. The terrain is steep and can be slippery, but it is a wonderful way to see the Island from a very different perspective.

HOT RIVER
Hidden in the West New Britain tropical rainforest runs a thermal river. It is a wonderful emerald green stream with swirling pools and mini waterfalls, fed by a volcanic spring.

Due to its volcanic source, the river is naturally rich with minerals and high in sulphur, so a brief soak in its waters will leave your skin and hair feeling soft and silky smooth. The water temperature is around 43° Celsius (around 110° Fahrenheit).

Take the opportunity to bathe in warm waters surrounded by rich rainforest and to feel completely rejuvenated, treat your body to a natural exfoliating treatment with the special red mud found along the riverbanks. For a truly unique spa session, the hot river is a must when visiting Walindi Resort.

WWII PLANE WRECKS
For anyone interested in plane wrecks or war history in general, the abandoned New Zealand 4522 Lockheed Vega Ventura and the American B-25H Mitchell Bomber are worth a visit.

In 1944 the B-25H Mitchell crash landed due to engine trouble, damaging the front nose gear and the Lockheed Vega Ventura PV1 took a Japanese 25mm bullet through the starboard engine’s fuel line during a strafing run; both were considered irreparable and scrapped.

A short drive to the north of Walindi, and guests can climb through the vine ridden historic aircraft that are considered the last in the world to have the original outfitting of artillery.

FIREFLIES
For a quick after dinner jaunt, you can visit the local firefly trees where you will encounter whole trees pulsing with the luminous fireflies – a truly amazing natural spectacle.

Located on the very edge of Walindi Plantation Resort’s property, lies a collection of small trees that during the day looks like any other tree in the surrounding rainforest, but at night these trees come alive with thousands of tiny beetles called Fireflies.

These minute beetles flash in synchronous or pulsing waves of light, a magic light show in the forest. It is not entirely known why they have chosen these trees and why they flash like they do but what is certain is it is a natural nocturnal spectacle worth seeing.

HELICOPTER SCENIC FLIGHT
Helicopter scenic flights are available with Niugini Helicopters and is one of the most exciting experiences we offer, flying over the islands of Kimbe Bay, the lush rainforest and pristine volcanic lakes including a low flyover of Gabuna Volcano. Up to 5 passengers can ride in the helicopter with pick up and drop off directly at Walindi Resort with options of 30 minutes or 1 hour flights.

BIRDING PAPUA NEW GUINEA
New Britain is a geological hotspot that holds many endemic species and contributes significantly to the avian diversity of the New Guinea region. A birdwatching tour to Papua New Guinea is not complete without a visit to the Bismarck Archipelago.

Walindi offers the best location for exploring the north coast of New Britain and the Bismarck Sea in comfort. Tours are offered to nearby rainforests and small islets in Kimbe Bay for a host of exotic Bismarck and New Britain endemics.

Exciting species include the Heinroth’s Shearwater, Golden Masked Owl, New Britain Pitta, Nicobar Pigeon, Blue-Eyed Cockatoo, twenty pigeons and doves, nine kingfishers including the Black-Headed Paradise Kingfisher and a host of little known passerines.

DIVE LIVEABOARDS PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Papua New Guinea is located in the coral triangle, the centre of marine biodiversity which has the highest diversity of tropical fish and coral in the world. Whilst on the liveaboards, guests will be diving on some of the most beautiful reefs and sea mounts in the Bismarck Sea, with abundant fish life amongst picturesque and dramatic volcanically formed reefscapes.

The dive liveaboards, MV FeBrina and MV Oceania, offer a variety of itineraries throughout the year tailored to suit changing weather patterns and designed to dive the best of what is on offer in Papua New Guinea. Kimbe Bay itineraries can be combined with your stay at Walindi Resort.

KIMBE BAY – PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Kimbe Bay pulses with life: its coral reefs hold more than half of all species on Earth, a rainbow jungle that more than 900 reef fish species call home. Kimbe Bay is located in the Bismarck Sea, a key area in the global center of marine biodiversity.

The Coral Triangle and Kimbe Bay lie almost centrally within this. Its marine life is remarkable: Kimbe Bay possesses 4 critically endangered, 11 endangered and 173 vulnerable species.

These include the Largetooth Sawfish (Pristis pristis), Pondicherry Shark (Carcharhinus hemiodon), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) and Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis).

Kimbe Bay’s secret to its rich healthy marine ecosystem is its complex and diverse bathymetry (the measurement of depth of water in oceans, seas or lakes). A narrow coastal shelf fringes the coastline of the bay, descending to oceanic depths of over 1,000m. Along this coastline, fringing nearshore emergent reefs are neighbors to seagrass beds, mangroves and river estuaries forming multiple land-sea interfaces.

Coral reefs in Kimbe Bay are as striking as they are fortunate. Its reefs have been assessed as high diversity and high coral cover sites – amazingly with relatively low human impact. Of the 173 IUCN Redlist vulnerable species, 159 of these are scleractinian corals.

The endangered coral Cantharellus noumeae is also found in the Bay. In 2018, researchers from James Cook University undertook upper mesophotic surveys in Kimbe Bay, which resulted in reporting a species of Black Coral (Antipatharia) that had not been previously described to science, let alone the Bay itself.

The occasional sightings of orca, pilot whales, whale sharks and other large marine life passing through Kimbe Bay often with young are also an indicator of the importance of Kimbe Bay as a habitat for these animals.

The combination of a rich and varied fish fauna, well developed coral reefs, and a spectacular, relatively pristine environment, is ample justification for the establishment of a special conservation status for Kimbe Bay.

KIMBE BAY DIVE SITES
The configuration of the bay and its position relative to prevailing winds creates an unusually sheltered environment for the rich complex of seaward reefs. Coupled with the spectacular underwater terrain, composed largely of steep-sided, patch, saddle, or pinnacle reefs, it is one of the tropic’s most exciting dive areas.

Below are brief descriptions for just some of our favourite reefs around Walindi. We have listed some of the more interesting fish and critters that have been seen at the sites listed, but of course there are no guarantees that you will see them on every dive.

What we can guarantee however, is that you will see vastly more than can ever be described in the brief overviews given here. Take your time and dive carefully, and you will be able to better appreciate what is one of the most diverse and healthy ecosystems on the planet.

AGU REEF
The reef flat of the main reef at Agu is only 1-2m (3-6ft), with a very narrow ridge dropping away to the south. Just under the boat, the mooring is situated at a depth of 5m (16ft), with a gradual ridge sloping down to 20m (65ft) with a ledge at 35m (115ft) before dropping away into the deep.

It is a narrow ridge, so you can either choose to swim along the ridge or along the wall, and either offers a great dive. If there is a good current, hop over to the current side of the ridge and you will see schools of barracuda, batfish, rainbow-runner, big-eye trevally, even a couple of gray reef sharks or dogtooth tuna.

The ridge is covered with hard coral, with many sea anemones with pink anemone fish. In the shallows, hard corals and damselfish make a nice combination and good place to do a safety stop. If you come back from the ridge and still have some spare air, you can explore the wall on the main reef where you should find a good selection of nudibranchs.

ANN SOPHIE’S REEF
Anne Sophie’s Reef is one of Kimbe Bay’s most diverse reefs. Situated at the northern tip of the bay, it is just over an hour’s boat ride from Walindi. The main dive site is at the end of the reef structure running south away from one of the coastal islands.

The top of the reef is in about 5m (16ft) of water, it slopes down onto a sand bottom consisting of small coral bommies covered in a variety of soft coral. The maximum depth onto the sand is 23m (75ft). The reef is made up of a vast amount of varying corals, from hard brain coral and tubastea branching corals to elegant sea fans, black coral trees and barrel sponges.

Along the sand bottom garden eels and goby shrimp can be seen. On the top and along the sides, crabs, scorpion fish, nudibranchs, flatworms and dart fish can be found.

The water column surrounding the reef is abound with fish life such as barracuda, trevally, bat fish, unicorn fish, Moorish idols, parrot fish and damsel fish. On most dives grey reef sharks and turtles have been seen. The dive site can vary with the water movement, from calm, still water to a moving current across the top.

BRADFORD’S SHOAL
Bradford Shoals is a dive site of the sea mount type, an isolated reef that rises from considerable depths to within sixty-five feet (20 meters) of the surface.

The reef structure is predominantly flat plates of hard corals, and adaptation allowing maximum utilization of the reduced sunlight at that depth. There are also many colonies of Leather Coral, Sarcophyton. The reef slopes downward from its twin summits to a lip at about ninety feet (27 meters), after which the drop is almost sheer vertical.

Among the corals are a number of the smaller species of reef fish such as fairy basslets, butterfly fish, and damselfish, and quite a number of pink anemone fish. Interesting as these are, the main reason for visiting Bradford Shoals is big fish, especially pelagics.

The reef seems to act as a magnet for these fish and on any dive one is almost certain to see large schools of Barracudas, Pinjaro, Big Eye Trevally, Dog Tooth Tuna, Unicorn Fish, Fusiliers and Sharks, either Grey reef sharks or on rare occasions a Hammerhead.

CHRISTINE’S REEF 
Christine’s Reef begins as a submerged saddle between a large reef and two much smaller detached reefs. While it is quite possible to swim down the saddle, around the first of the detached reefs, and then back up the saddle, the saddle itself is the most interesting.

Starting at the main reef a diver descends down across a thick growth of staghorn corals and quickly reaches the saddle proper to find a beautiful combination of large gorgonian fans, red whip gorgonians, and a few barrel sponges, many of which are adorned with colourful crinoids.

The larger of the two dark red sea fans at the southern end of the saddle is a particularly good place to observe longnose hawkfish. The red sea fans also make an excellent backdrop for photographing the hawkfish or any other fish willing to pose in front of them.

At the northern end of the saddle, just past the gorgonian fans and barrel sponge, are several sea anemones occupied by families of clown anemone fish.

EMA NORTH
North Ema Reef has as its main feature a deep bommie attached to the main reef by an even deeper saddle. The bommie is covered with gorgonian sea fans whose white feeding polyps contrast with their red skeletal structure. Beneath the sea fans is an under story of leather coral. There are also a few colonies of burning bush soft coral.

Because one can remain on the deep bommie only briefly, making a shallow circumnavigation of the main reef is a pleasant way to finish the tank of air and gain an extra measure of decompression.

The east side of the reef is an almost sheer wall along which sea anemones occupied by pink anemone fish occur at almost regular intervals in the ten to thirty foot (3-9 meter) depth range.

The south end of the reef has a more gradual hard coral slope with typical reef fish and an occasional passing school of barracuda. Returning along the west side wall, look for the large sea anemone with orange anemone fish, one of the less common species of Kimbe Bay.

EMA SOUTH
South Ema Reef – if any dive site in Kimbe Bay can be said to have it all, it would have to be South Ema. Huge barrel sponges, red whip gorgonians, colourful soft coral, and a deep swim through are just a few of the attractions.

Descending along the saddle from the main reef a diver passes a few gorgonians and plate corals at just below thirty metres (100ft). Just off the west end of the shoulder, where it begins to rise again, is the entrance to the swim through cave.

Entering through the smaller opening on the north side allows one to better appreciate the gorgonians and sponges that frame the much larger opening at the southern end.

Ascending upward from the shoulder onto the large attached bommie one passes a stand of Dendronephthya soft coral, thickets of red whip gorgonians, and into a cluster of barrel sponges, the largest of them almost two meters (6ft) tall.

The crest of the bommie is covered in hard corals with occasional sea anemones. Fusiliers, trevally, and sometimes barracuda cruise the waters above the bommie. Leafy scorpion fish can also occasionally be found on South Ema.

HANGING GARDENS 
This site is Walindi’s House Reef and is a 2 minute boat ride from the jetty. Hanging Gardens is a dive site situated along a sheer vertical wall starting from just below the surface and descending to a depth of about ninety feet/thirty meters where the wall meets a sand and rubble bottom. Along the wall are numerous ledges and overhangs, as well as several large cut backs into the cliff.

The site is named for the many tangles of rope sponge hanging down along the face of the cliff, some up to ten feet/three meters in length and with crinoids clinging to them.

In the shaded areas beneath overhangs and within the cuts are prolific encrusting communities dominated by sponges and sea squirts. These encrusting communities are excellent habitats to search for many small macro subjects like nudibranchs, feather duster worms, and living shells.

Hanging Gardens is also an excellent choice for a night dive when many of the nocturnal animals that hide in the caves and crevices come out to forage.

INGLIS SHOALS
Inglis Shoal is another of Kimbe Bay’s sea mount type of dive site. The isolated reef rises from considerable depths to forty-five feet (14 meters) below the surface. As with Bradford Shoals, the basic reef structure is primarily composed of flat plates and mounds of non-staghorn corals.

In addition there are also large stands of a greyish soft coral, probably Nephthya, and numerous sea anemones, several of them with brilliantly coloured columns. The different sea anemones are inhabited by at least three species of anemone fish- Clarks, Pink, and Spine-cheek.

From the bare patch at its crest, the reef slopes downward on all sides to a lip at about eighty-ninety feet (24-28 meters), after which it falls away in sheer vertical walls.

Like Bradford Shoals, the main appeal of Inglis Shoals is fish action in the waters above the reef. Schools of barracuda, batfish, trevally, fusiliers, or unicorn fish are there on virtually every dive. Grey reef sharks and hammerheads show up with regularity, and there are also numerous cleaning stations and moray eels.

KIRSTY JAYNE’S REEF 
Kirsty Jayne’s Reef is a long extending reef, lying north to south. There are two moorings for this reef, and most of the time diving will start from the Christine’s side. The ridge is narrow and starts descending from 5m/16ft and gradually goes down to 25m/82ft, both sides are fringing walls.

The top of the reef is covered with hard corals, barrel sponges and damselfish. A short saddle meets with the end of the other ridge. This then ascends to 17m/55ft. On the other side are numerous red sea whips that line up in two lines. At 17m/55ft there are a couple of gorgonian fans and olive whips surrounded by schools of purple anthias – it is a spectacular view.

Coming back to the Christine side, just beside the boat, there is a boundless coral garden. It is possibly the most attractive point of Kirsty Jayne’s Reef. It is between 5-15m/16-49ft in depth, and is a very nice area for your safety stop.

JOELLE’S REEF
The top of Joelle’s Reef sits in approximately 16 meters (52 feet) of water, and the surface of the reef gently slopes down to 25-30 meters (82-100 feet) before it reaches a vertical drop off, except the southern side of the reef that reaches a depth of around 40 meters (130 feet).

Joelle’s is great for those who love big fish, most of the time you can see schools of Barracuda, Big Eye Trevally, Red Pinjalo, Dog Tooth Tuna and Surgeonfish, and on occasion Hawksbill turtles.

For the shark lovers, you can also catch a glimpse of either Grey Reef Sharks or White Tip Sharks. You will generally see fantastic fish action at Joelle’s when there is at least a small current running. Around the mooring you can also find three types of anemone fish, Pink, Clarks and Spine-cheek.

OTTO’S REEF
Otto’s Point is the steeply descending corner at the north-eastern end of Otto’s Reef. As the point descends it passes through large numbers of disc shaped mushroom corals at about forty feet/12m, and there is a number of brown bladelike sponges at seventy to eighty feet/20-25m. There are also sea anemones with pink anemone fish at several depths along the wall.

Unquestionably, the biggest attraction of the dive is the fish life. Schools of barracuda, trevally, sea perch, fusiliers, and unicornfish feed in the currents just beyond the reef, joined on occasions by sharks and tuna. As they round the point they sometimes come so close to the reef that a diver sitting quietly can almost touch them.

Also of interest is the wall south of the point where, at depths of twenty to fifty feet/6-15m, there are numerous ledges, overhangs, and small caves. The area has a rich growth of many kinds of sponges as well as black corals, reef clams, and ascidians. Within this encrusting community you can find spider crabs, gobies, and sponge-eating dorid nudibranchs.

RESTORF ISLAND
Restorf Island offers more diversity within a short distance from the resort than almost any other Walindi dive site. From the sandy beach a diver almost immediately enters the sand flats in which there are large colonies of garden eels, at least four species of shrimp gobies, burrowing gobies, sand anemones, occasional flatheads and flounders, and (in season) the large excavated nests of yellow margin triggerfish.

A little farther to the northeast is a hard coral reef which has some sea anemones occupied by clown anemone fish near the boat mooring and a dense growth of black coral trees and gorgonians and barrel spongers on its deeper side.

Swimming around to the west side of Restorf Island brings a dive where the reef slopes downward in a patchwork of loosely connected bommies, many serving as anchors for gorgonian fans, black coral trees, sea whips, barrel sponges, and elephant ear sponges. Among these live many species of smaller nudibranchs, shrimp, feather duster worms, and an occasional octopus.

SUSAN’S REEF 
Dense stands of Red Whip Gorgonians, Ellisella sp., give Susan’s Reef a unique aesthetic quality that sets it apart from other Walindi reefs, a feeling which is heightened by clinging tangles of colourful crinoids.

The sea whips are most numerous at the reef’s southern end between seventy-five feet (22m) and fifty-five feet (15m) as it rises up from a saddle that connects the dive site to the much larger Vanessa’s Reef.

Susan’s Reef extends in a northerly direction with a sheer wall on its east side and a sloping garden of hard corals on the west. At the crest of the connecting saddle, at about eighty feet (25m), are some pale sea fans, and when the current is right a few small sea pens push up through the sand to feed.

Continuing upward past the sea whips a diver comes upon three large red sea fans. The deepest, at forty-six feet (14m), is a good place to find the long-nose hawk fish. Above the thirty-foot (10m) depth, the reef is almost exclusively composed of dense staghorn corals among which are a few sea anemones, which serve as hosts to three different kinds of anemone fish.

VANESSA’S REEF
Vanessa’s Reef is a submerged shoulder that extends westward from a much larger reef at a depth of fifty to sixty feet/fifteen to eighteen meters. Its primary attractions are a multitude of large dark red gorgonian sea fans, and farther out on the shoulder, a sponge garden.

Many of the sea fans are eight to ten feet/two to three meters across, or more, and make picturesque backdrops for diver shots. The fans are also a good place to look for hawk fish, commensal shrimp, and other macro subjects.

The sponge garden includes many bright orange sponge mounds. Many of the sponges have heaps of crinoids clinging to them, affording the crinoids and elevated position from which to feed in the current.

Near the end of the sponge zone, in 60 feet/18 meters of water, is the boat mooring, beyond which there is a sparser mixture of sponges and sea fans. On both sides of the shoulder the reef slopes downward to a sandy bottom. To the north there are additional ridges and ravines, and more sea fans.

Website: www.walindiresort.com

Rooms: 20

Price: from 267 EUR per night

Tufi Resort in Papua New Guinea is a personalized boutique resort, a hidden oasis, nestled atop a breath-taking fjord, with 180º panoramic views of the sea, fjords and mountains. Tufi Resort is a place that makes the outside world and all its daily stress seem a million miles away.

Located in Oro Province 250 miles due east of the capital Port Moresby and only 80 miles from the famous Kokoda Trail, Tufi Resort is the perfect place to rest the weary body after the challenges of trekking the trail.

Accommodation features include polished timber floors and all the creature comforts including insect screens, 24 hour electricity, air-conditioning, hot water, bedroom with ensuite, hair dryer bar fridge, coffee and tea making facilities. Most bungalows have verandahs overlooking the Coral Sea or Tufi fjord.

Resort amenities include a terraced BBQ area, in-ground pool with views of the fjord below, pool and table tennis, lounge bar area and library.

The main building is of a colonial design with a comfortable large surrounding, cool breeze ways and natural lighting. Internally there is reception, gift shop, library lounge and TV and dining area.

Typically our guests dine on a selection of local seafood, vegetables and tropical fruits in the resort dining room or enjoy a BBQ grill on the fjord terrace, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and ice-cold beer.

Please note: Our accommodation rates include guests’ meals which consists of continental breakfast, lunch and a 3 course dinner (sample menu below).

Our local chefs do a wonderful job creating daily set menus, utilising the freshest, seasonal mainland and local produce available, with a strong emphasis on reef fish and seafood.

We also provide a range of western cuisine including meat and chicken dishes as well as an array of local cuisine specialty dishes. Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice. Please note à la carte options are not available

Activities include diving, fishing, bush and nature walks, snorkeling, paddle boards, hobby cats, canoeing, traditional outrigger safaris, kayaking, trekking, bird watching, beach BBQ and great cultural interaction in the village.

Experience and participate in cultural everyday activities like sago-making, net weaving, spear manufacturing, tapa printing, face and body tattooing.

Tufi is a stress-free environment where the locals are warm and friendly. A place where you can be left alone or mix with guests and villagers. A place where you can relax, recharge and feel totally invigorated.

Location
Tufi is located in Oro Province on the northern side of the mainland of Papua New Guinea and approximately 250 kilometers due east of the capital, Port Moresby. Situated on the tip of Cape Nelson, Tufi is also 130km south east of the famous Kokoda Trail and Popondetta the major provincial township.

Village Guesthouse Accommodation
The village eco-guest houses are a great way to experience the culture and traditional way of life. Explore with the local fishermen, go snorkeling and catch a fresh lobster for dinner and help the village people prepare your meal, the traditional way.

Observe the time-honored ways of sago making, face and body tattooing, canoe construction, string bag and rope and fish net weaving. Experience their colorful dancing and their spellbound rituals.

Be mesmerized by their colorful plumed head dress and their tapa cloth designs. Listen to the stories told by the elders that have been the Tufi cultural foundation for centuries. Mix and live with the friendliest people in the South Pacific.

Breakfast

includes the freshest and juiciest in season fruit, boiled eggs with a selection of dried fruits and nuts. Daily baking of fresh bread, muffins, pancakes, banana bread and preserves, plus cereals, yogurt, tea, fresh local coffee and juice. A small hot breakfast menu is available at an additional charge.

Lunch

is prepared daily by our wonderful local chefs. We pride ourselves in using as much local produce as possible, whilst utilizing offerings from the ocean and surrounding fjords.

Menu selections change daily, ranging from fresh salads, Tufi burgers, delicious wraps or pan seared freshly caught fish, to mention just a few items. Sunday lunch is normally our delicious Beach BBQ spread at Komoa Beach and generally after our popular McLaren Harbor Cultural Tour.

Dinner

is a 3 Course Dinner Menu most nights of the week, with the menu changing regularly. Commencing with an entree, fresh baked bread rolls, followed by a main course and a house made dessert. The resort offers a delicious buffet once per week dependent on the number of guests.

The Tufi Bar

has a great selection of wines and beverages. Any item can be purchased for your room refrigerator. We will be glad to supply you with ice for your room as well. Please note that as the bar is fully serviced personal alcohol is not permitted to be consumed in public areas.

Special Dietary Needs

Not a problem! Our chefs love to work with local produce, so there’s plenty of variety. If you have any special dietary requirements, please pre-advise our reservation staff prior to arrival; we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.

Conference Centre
For your next local meeting, consider Tufi Resort where business and leisure entwine in one of Papua New Guinea’s most spectacular settings. Tufi has a well equipped conference centre with data projector, screens, wifi, whiteboards, notepads & pencils and can accommodate up to 40 guests.

Ideal for meetings, seminars, team building exercises, board meetings and conferences in general. A great venue to concentrate and focus without the daily disruptions of a city environment.

The air conditioned venue has been designed with natural light and is situated away from the main building to facilitate an undisturbed meeting. We can package accommodation and flight options from Port Moresby to make your event cost effective.

Weddings
Tufi Resort is an ideal location for weddings and anniversaries. Sensible economical packages are available and we can tailor your wedding to your needs. Try a traditional wedding in a local village or a conventional wedding at the resort. Whatever the choice, the resort will be able to accommodate your needs.

If you are planning a wedding, we can advise you on all necessary documentation required for a ceremony in Papua New Guinea and make all the necessary arrangements to ensure your wedding day is the most memorable day in your life.

Scuba Diving at Tufi
The outer reef experience is unsurpassed with a choice of dozens of world-class dive sites. Moor onto a few of our favourites, Cyclone Cay, Black Rocks, Stewarts Reef and Shark Tip. Dive the famous Dutch cargo ship the “S Jacob” or Blackjack – an intact B17 bomber – as specialty charter dives.

Spectacular marine life in abundance: schooling barracuda and reef fish, hammerheads, reef sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, grouper and cruising pelagic as well as soft and hard corals. A pristine environment unspoiled.

The fjords are excellent for macro diving with gobies, nudibranch, shrimps and clams. These animals can be seen by diving, but conditions are also ideal for snorkeling.

Because there is very little current movement in the fjords, many sponges and coral species grow prolifically and there are some very large sponges and shelf corals that are not common on the outer reefs.

5-10 nautical miles offshore lies a string of reefs – ‘bommies’ that come up from a staggering depth of up to 600 m to a nice safety-stop level of 7-5 m below the surface. The outer reef experience is unsurpassed with visibility exceeding 30m all year round and water temperature from 26-29°C.

Spectacular marine life in abundance with schooling barracuda and reef fish, variety of sharks including the rare white Hammerhead Shark and an abundance of little critters, ideal for macro photography.

The majority of reefs in the region remain unexplored and it will be some time before the full diversity of the Tufi reefs is known. The resort focuses on reef and muck diving and all diving is carried out under the guidance of PADI dive professionals.

The resort is well appointed with dive boats. Crystal at 30 foot, is spacious and has comfortable seating. The boat features a shower and toilet facility and is well equipped with all safety features. A cruise speed of 20 knots provides divers less time travelling and more time underwater.

All vessels are fully equipped with first aid kits and oxygen therapy equipment. The resort has four other smaller multi-purpose boats equipped for diving, fishing or sightseeing.

Wreck Scuba Diving 
The Tufi wharf was originally established by the Australian New Guinea Administration based at Tufi prior to WW2 and was expanded and began operations as an advance US navy PT Boat base in December 1942.

Conducting operations as far north as the Huon Gulf harassing Japanese shipping supply lines.for several months eventually notching up many successful missions. Soon after the front line became too distant and the base relocated to the Huon Gulf and the base resorted to being a rear support base for the allied forces.

There is a large amount of wreckage and debris from the destruction of two PT Boats (PT67 and PT119)and a small Australian freighter on the sea bed just if the wharf.

All three vessels exploded during a refueling mishap during the war. Several 50 calibre anti-aircraft machine guns and ammunition scatter the sea floor. One of the highlights of this dive is a perfectly good ol’ Landrover …

The secret of how it got to be ‘parked’ there so neatly will be revealed after you complete this dive! This is a decompression dive with max depth 45m. Deco stops are compulsory and a surface interval of 4 hours is mandatory before the second dive.

Muck Diving
Our resort wharf will never cease to amaze you. The term “muck diving” originated here in PNG. Tufi is regarded at the top muck diving destination in the World!

Right at the jetty, in front of the dive shop, a new world awaits the unsuspecting diver. In amongst the rubble of dumped machinery and coca cola bottles from WWII, a wide variety of little critters have made their home.

Every conceivable species of gobie, nudibranch, mandarin fish, ghost pipe, banded pipe and a plethora of other fascinating creatures, offers the diver a mecca for underwater macro photography. All this in less than 10m (32ft) of water!

During a night dive the inhabitants of this area are totally transformed and one cannot recognize it as the same dive done during daylight hours.

One of the highlights of this dive is a perfectly good ol’ Landrover. The secret of how it got to be ‘parked’ there so neatly will be revealed after you complete this dive! This is a decompression dive with maximum depth of 45m (147.6ft).

Decompression stops are compulsory and surface intervals of 4 hours are mandatory before the second dive. July, August and September are our windy months.

If conditions are really windy then we are our windy months if conditions are really windy then we take all our diving up into the Fjords. The Fjords offer spectacular Muck Diving and great shelter from the wind.

Tufi Reefs – Papua New Guinea
5-10 nautical miles offshore lies a string of reefs and bombora (bommies) that come up from a staggering depth of 600m (2000ft) to a nice safety-stop of 5-7m (16-22ft) below the surface, with visibility exceeding 30m (98ft) and water temperatures from 26-29ºC (78-84ºF).

Spectacular marine life is abundant with schooling barracuda, reef fish and varieties of sharks, including the rare white hammerhead and a multitude of little critters, ideal for macro photography.

The majority of reefs in the region remain unexplored and it will be some time before the full diversity of the Tufi reefs is known.

Bev’s Reef
Our friendly Manta Ray cruises around several reefs. It is often seen at Bev’s, Minor and Marian’s reef. This Manta is very distinct. It has a white collar around the neck on top of its back. Its wingspan must be at least 3 metres from tip to tip.

An awesome sight. This dive site has it all… On the top of the reef the rare and beautiful, but highly venomous Rhinopias can often be found by the insistent searcher.

Black Rocks
Black rocks and its neighbouring site are our most southerly dive spots. These circular reefs with deep spurs offer all levels of diving. Gentle currents bring in schools of pelagic including barracuda, jack and spanish mackerel.

Large silver trevally play hide and seek with a variety of reef sharks. The exposed rocks on the tops of the reefs offer great swimming and snorkeling in between dives in a protected setting.

Blue Ribbon Reef
Appropriately named, because this is the home of the blue ribbon eel, which changes color during various stages of its life. This is also a coastal reef north of Tufi at the mouth of McLarens Fjord which is sheltered from seasonal trade winds.

Buddy’s Reef
Buddy’s is one of our lesser-dived reefs. It offers some drift diving when the current is strong at certain times of the year.

Clancy’s Reef
Top of this reef also has spectacular corals. This dive also offers some great wall diving. White tip reef sharks cruise around patrolling this reef. The white hammerhead patrols this reef also. This reef offers good snorkeling for the non-diver.

Cyclone Reef
During the 1972 cyclone a small island was formed from broken coral. This is now the breeding ground for a variety of seabirds. It also provides a sheltered lee side where the coral reefs have the opportunity to grow undisturbed by wave action during the trade winds season.

This reef is a perfect mooring spot for our dive boat and ideal for our snorkelers. This is one of the prettiest coral reefs in this area. There are 3 distinct dive sites at this reef.

Cyclone Bommie
This bommie lies off to one side. Here you will often find turtles, unafraid of divers and lots of tropical coral fish and the occasional hammerhead shark coming up from the deep to investigate the intruders.

The far wall is perpendicular with some interesting swim-thru and deep caves. The top of this bommie is at 5m and offers an ideal safety stop, where you can virtually “breathe your tank out”.

Those with good eyesight can spot the rare Rhinopias, family of the scorpion fish, it will shed its skin every 12 to 13 weeks. The pectoral fins have what look like glass windows. This is an extraordinary creature.

Cyclone Wall
Wall diving at its best! From 7m, vertical walls plummet down to beyond 40 m where it slopes way beyond your vision. The walls are covered in colourful lichens, hard and soft corals. Nudibranchs of all sizes and varieties dot these walls. Macro or wide angle lens now poses a difficult question. The top of the reef is exquisite.

Cyclone Reef Outer Wall
Sheer wall with overhangs for nearly 1 km. Level off at 20 plus meters for half a tank and come back at a higher level, leaving you with plenty of air to ‘play’ around the top of the reef. Hawksbill and green turtles often ‘hang’ around the top of this reef. Large brain coral reach up to just under the surface.

Dyer’s Reef
This reef is named after another guest from Australia who just adored this reef. He was a keen amateur underwater video photographer. This is a coastal reef at the mouth of the next fjord south of Tufi called Amunyan Bay.

There are 2 resident Turtles on the main reef. The larger one of the two is particularly tame and if the diver is gentle enough it can be approached to within half a meter distance. A small tropical island offers shelter from the trade winds during May to September.

The reef on the lee side of the island is great for snorkelers. Many different species of nudibranch can be seen here. This reef is ideal for diving during strong windy days, without having to go to the outer reefs.

El’s Reef
El’s and Clancy make a great mid-range duo. Both dives are similar and are host to schools of small colorful reef fish of the Indo-Pacific region.

Gabriella’s Fish Point
Named after one of the previous managers. It is a long reef with one large bommie. Colorful corals and a vertical walls straight down to 45 m. Lots of fish life around the bommie with plenty Pelagic when the current is running.

House Reef (Tufi Wharf)
Our resort wharf will never cease to amaze you. The term ‘muck diving’ was invented here in PNG. Right at the jetty in front of the dive shop complex a new world awaits the unsuspecting diver.

In amongst the rubble of a century of dumped garbage, with machinery and coca cola bottles from WW11, a wide variety of little critters have made their home.

Every conceivable species of gobie, nudibranch, mandarin fish, ghost pipe fish, banded pipe fish and a plethora of other fascinating creatures offer the diver a mecca for under water macro photography.

All this in less than 10m of water! During a night dive the inhabitants of this area are totally changed and one cannot recognise it is the same dive during daylight hours.

Marian’s Reef
Together with Bev’s reef is the two close-by reefs offering something for everyone. This reef has an amazing variety of gobi’s. Also the hairy ghostpipe fish can be spotted here. Pelagics cruise around the top of this reef. Big brain corals allow some brilliant shots. Great dives for all levels of dive training.

Minor’s Reef
Minor’s reef is one of our most spectacular dive sites….. The perpendicular walls are covered with large minor nudibranchs. Their yellow ‘rose’ shaped eggs are superb subjects for photography. Often tiny clear, see-through shrimps hide amongst the egg formation.

They are sometimes difficult to spot at first, but are great for macro shots. Our giant manta is often seen cruising around this reef continuously soaking up the plankton. At times large schools of big ‘hump headed’ parrot fish are seen cruising past.

Mulloway Reef
Undoubtedly one of our best dive sites! The dive team swims towards the far point where the reef drops off to beyond 200 m. Generally, the current is strong, bringing plankton and bountiful food for thousands of fishes.

The place literally ‘explodes’. Hammerheads, reef sharks, rays and schools of pelagic frantically are in search of food. You can ‘hang on’ a protruding rock or a submerged mooring rope and watch the show.

Mulloway is named after one of our first guests who lived in Mulloway near Coffs Harbour in Australia. Great visibility caused by the ocean’s current up swelling. A spectacular giant clam lives at the safety stop.

Paul’s Reef
A great combo as a second dive after Stewart’s Reef, Paul’s boasts of soft corals of various colors and has good beds of large staghorn corals which cover a particular part of the reef. Lots of sea-anemone host a variety of clown fish that are particularly territorial here on this reef amidst the schools of travelly and barracuda.

Ritchie’s Bommie
This reef presents lots of soft corals and wall dives where our white hammerhead shark can be spotted along with grey nurse, white tip and black tip sharks that patrol this area. Red snapper in large schools abound this reef.

Shark Tip
This reef is one of our newly discovered dive-sites. We chose this name because white-tip-, silver tip-, black tip and some grey nurse sharks always greet us. Nudibranch can be found amongst nice colorful coral.

Stewart Reef
The closest reef to the resort. Just a 20-minute boat ride offers a splendid dive. Here we tie up to a defunct lighthouse. The top of the reef has schools of spanish mackerel, barracuda and schooling trevally. The outside walls are covered in soft and hard corals. This reef lends itself to a great night dive.

Tony’s Bommie
A very good deep dive. At a depth of 30 to 35 m on a sloping white sandy bottom, the diver can visit a huge colony of garden eels. They are not too shy and can be approached carefully to take a snap shot before they retract into their holes. Large gregorian fans hang on vertical walls.

Veale’s Reef
This reef is close to Mulloway. Ideal for drift diving the slope with the current after diving the wall into the current you will find plenty of pelagic species.

It is an extensive reef, so after the drift diving part, the dive boat will pick up the divers. The white Hammerhead is often seen here as well. Corals on top of the reef are pretty.

Tours & Activities
Tufi Resort has superb scuba diving, natural landscapes and a beautiful culture that attracts visitors from across Papua New Guinea, the Asia Pacific region and the world. We’re proud to showcase everything this dynamic region has to offer, by providing our guests with access to a range of activities and experiences.

These have been hand-picked by our knowledgeable local team, who pride themselves on introducing guests to the beauty and wonder that is Papua New Guinea, the country and its people. They can all be tailored to suit your experience, interests and abilities.

The adventurous might like to consider some fishing, outrigging or kayaking. Those wanting to explore the beauty of their surrounds, like a local, should definitely investigate our outrigger safaris.

Most of our tours and activities have been planned to provide a cultural experience and interaction and a way to extend this is to consider spending one night (or more) in a nearby village through our guesthouse accommodation options.

Adventure Tours & Experiences
Tufi Resort is set in a very unique and pristine region of PNG for the adventure traveller. With its clear waters, lowlands and highlands, this region offers diversity encompassing soft and hard adventure activities dependent upon fitness levels.

Trek for 3 to 5 days to the twin peaks of Mt. Trafalgar and Mt. Britannia in virgin rainforest, or experience treks in closer proximity to the resort.

Experience this untouched pristine environment, which has an abundant variety of unique flora and fauna. Live in the wild under sago roofs, wash in cascading ice-cold waterfalls and explore the rainforests. Test yourself …

Tufi is the paddler’s paradise. Take a traditional outrigger safari expedition to explore the coastline from 1 to 7 days, or sea kayak down the coast, through the fjords over large coral outcrops and shelves to sandy cays, into deep fjords to take in the surrounding rainforests.

Birds of Paradise, flocks of Horn Bills, Eclectic Parrots, rare Black Palm Cockatoos and numerous species of Lorikeets flourish in the treetops and fjord cliff tops. Beautiful white sandy beaches and scattered coral reef shelves make it one of the most exciting and visibly breath-taking coastlines in Papua New Guinea.

Tufi is an exciting destination for the adventurer, offering trekking and exploring, cultural interaction, village overnight stays, outrigger safaris and bird watching. The village eco-guest houses houses are a great way to experience the culture and traditional way of life.

Explore with the local fishermen, go snorkeling and catch a fresh lobster for dinner and help the village people prepare your meal, the traditional way.

Observe the time-honored ways of sago making, female tattooing, canoe making, string bag making, rope and fish net making. Experience their colorful dancing and their spellbound rituals.

Be mesmerized by their fantastic head dress and their tapa cloth designs. Listen to the stories that have been the Tufi cultural foundation for centuries. Mix and live with the friendliest people in the South Pacific.

Kayaking, Canoeing & Beach Days
Take a slow boat ride to the end of Tufi’s Fjord. We will tow some kayaks along for a leisurely paddle back to the resort. Along the way, see some spectacular scenery. Some of the cliff faces are several, hundred feet high. Magnificent rainforest covers the surrounding mountains.

The Fjords are over 100 meters deep. Sheltered from the prevailing winds, the surface of the water is like glass. Along the shores are several local huts, tucked away in an idyllic setting. This is a real touch of paradise.

Duration of this fjord cruise is approximately 3 hours. Leave at 9am and return by lunch time. Take some insect repellent with you; after all, you are entering a tropical jungle. You’ll love it!

Do not hesitate to talk to us if you wish to organise this trip the way it will suit your requirements. However, please arrange with reception at least one day before.

Komoa Beach
Do you dream of tropical white sandy beaches, with crystal clear, warm water, beautiful coral gardens and colourful reef fishes? On Komoa Beach, your dreams come true!

Half-day or full day snorkeling trips, including local lunch of freshly caught fish and lobster can be organised by the resort. Depart the resort at 9am and return by midday or 3pm.

Relax under a coconut palm, soak up the sun. (Bring plenty of sunscreen and a T-shirt to cover you when snorkeling) The landowner, Apaulus will welcome you, show you around and offer you a fresh coconut to drink for morning tea. We supply beach towels and an “Eski” cooler for your beer and soft drinks.

All you need to do is make arrangements at reception at least one day prior to the trip! It’s all right here for you. Please note: Activities can be requested through Reservations and should be booked and paid for at the resort, during your stay.

This includes, but is not limited to: canoes, paddle boards, hobby cats, kayaks, local guided activities and tours, hikes, guesthouse day trip visits or guesthouse stays.

Cultural Experiences
Papua New Guinea is the land of a million different journeys. Tufi explores many of these journeys and allows you to uncover culture and traditional ways that one thinks does not exist anymore.

Tufi is a great location to combine with other cultural festivals taking part in the country, to give you a mix of the different provinces and their cultural differences.

Tufi’s cultural festival will enlighten you into the Oro province traditional ways of food gathering and hunting, village life, spiritual beliefs and introduce you to their language “Karafe”. This is their place talk, meaning the language spoken by their villages.

At Tufi, we encourage school groupsto come and spend time in the local village guesthouses. This will open children’s minds to a very basic way of life without the modern conveniences we rely on today, such as computers, mobile phones, supermarkets, electricity and even running water.

We encourage this form of educational experience to enlighten the young ones of today, so they can appreciate nature at its finest and learn a survival that they would not be exposed to in their own environment.

Daily life of the local villagers includes building their traditional homes and canoes from sago palms, traditionally gardening and fishing and processing of their food, making ropes for hunting pigs, fishing nets and processing various trees for tapa cloth which is traditional clothing.

The “getaway” factor of Tufi’s location is romantic, making it very conducive for weddings and honeymoons. There is no transfer time at Tufi, as you virtually fly right into the resort. No other resort offers this convenience. So whether it’s a wedding or a conference, you will not find a better place for privacy and ambience.

Please note: Activities can be requested through Reservations and should be booked and paid for, at the resort, during your stay. This includes, but is not limited to: canoes, paddle boards, hobby cats, kayaks, local guided activities and tours, hikes, guesthouse day trip visits or guesthouse stays.

Papua New Guinea | European History & Tufi Resort
In the 18th century Tufi was first recognised as an idyllic anchorage for British capital ships. Later, and in the same period, it became a government station, occupied by the British. The first missionaries here were Anglican and their religion remains predominant today.

The Resort occupies the site that was formally the District Manager’s residence during PNG’s colonial era.

During WWII the Tufi wharf was initially occupied by the Japanese but then was subsequently used as the site of a USN Advance PT Boat base from December 1942, with PT Boats operating along the coast from Buna to Mambare.

After WWII the original District Manager’s residence was converted to a guesthouse for government employees and other buildings were added. The first hotel was built in the 1970’s and Tufi became a popular getaway for Port Moresby residents.

Nature – Papua New Guinea
Tufi is surrounded by a wide range of diverse habitats including beachfront coastal, mangroves, lowland rainforest, hill rainforests, littoral forests, coconut groves, plantations and grasslands. All have their own unique flora and fauna, but of particular importance are the butterflies and birds.1

Tufi is home to the world’s largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandra Bird Wing, that can have a wingspan of up to 28cm, and the males have a fantastic iridescent green and yellow colouring.

The blue ulysses butterfly and bright green priam’s birdwing are also common visitors to the grounds of the resort, attracted in by the variety of nectar bearing colourful plants, such as Hibiscus, Poinsettia and Frangipani. The world’s largest grasshopper, longest stick insect and longest beetle also live in the Tufi area.

Whilst the mammal fauna of Papua New Guinea can be somewhat secretive, there is the opportunity to occasionally see cuscuses, wallabies, echidnas and tree kangaroos, some of which are kept as pets in local villages.

Orchids
The Tufi region and surrounding areas are renowned for their diversity and abundance of orchids, with common to extremely rare species in exotic abundance.

With perhaps ten percent of all known orchid species endemic to New Guinea and many of those existing within Oro Province, keen orchidists should definitely consider placing Tufi on their holiday wish list.

Within a few minutes walk of the Resort, extensive colonies of spathoglottis papuana can be seen growing on the rock faces of the fjord. For more information, please visit the Orchids of New Guinea website

Birds
Over 120 bird species have been identified within a few hours walk of Tufi including. There is a stand of trees just above one of Tufi’s fiords where Birds Of Paradise display at dawn and at dusk each day.

Orotoaba village is a 45 minute boat ride from Tufi Resort, to the sandy beaches at either Kaviana or Jebo village, or then a 45 minute hike along a well-worn bush road to the hill village of Orotoaba, which is located immediately above the 150 meter high Jebo waterfall.

An overnight tour to view the birds departs Tufi Resort immediately after lunch and returns at lunch-time the next day; homestay accommodation provided in Orotoaba village. Download our Bird Watching Itineraries.

Website: www.tufiresort.com

Rooms: 26

Price: from 302 EUR per night