papua new guinea
NUSA ISLAND RETREAT
Like surfing? How do you like the sound of endless waves rolling through unridden, just waiting for a cut and thrust christening? Like a spot of scuba? Cluttering the coast are reefs upon reefs also empty of people but jam packed with marine life.
Fishing? You won't be able to lift your catch.
Sailing? Which island/bomie/reef would you like to take a bearing for?
Culture? Would that be of the prehistoric or WWII variety? You've got some of
the most colourful of both on New Ireland, off the north east Papua New Guinea.
Nusa Island Retreat is the place to stay in the untouristed north of PNG. Set on a small islet off the larger isle of New Ireland (this is a story of islands, after all), the retreat is a favourite for surfers who do nothing but surf. The dinghy whizzes you out before breakfast, setting you up for a constant round of surf, eat, sleep, surf, eat, sleep.
Non-surfers can explore nearby village markets, scuba, snorkel, sail, or generally wander around in a hypnotised state, wondering, 'can this be real?' It is and it's that good. Nusa Island retreat is of the simple but so good variety: there's nothing you'll want for.
The food is a fest of freshness and the staff so welcoming they'll make
you feel like you've been a miserable bastard for way too long.
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Amenities
- dugout canoes
- dinghy transfers to whatever reef you want to surf (there are plenty)
- snorkel gear for hire
- local artworks and carving room
- visiting market
- sea kayaks for hire
- mountain bikes for hire
- table tennis table along with books, magazines, board games, cards and plenty of music
- restaurant and bar
- sailing charters at your doorstep
Price Guide
- single: A$120 standard beachfront or A$150 overwater
- twin: A$130 standard beachfront or A$170 overwater
- triple: A$150 standard beachfront or A$195 overwater
- quad: A$180 standard beachfront or A$220 big house only
- five share: A$200 standard beachfront or A$250 big house only
- six share: A$250 standard beachfront or A$270 big house only
- willing to share A$70 standard beachfront only
- surf transfers: A$60 per person per day
Accommodation Type
- high quality traditional island style bungalows (most smack on the beach) for up to six people. Shared facilities.
- two over-water premium bungalows include ensuite bathrooms.
- there is also a large two-storey house with own bathroom for large groups or families
Directions
Air Niugini flies into Port Moresby from Australia (Sydney, Brisbane & Cairns), Hong Kong, Tokyo, Manila, Honiara
and Singapore.
Airlines PNG fly into Port Moresby from Brisbane and Cairns.
From PM, there are daily flights to Kavieng (the main town
on New Ireland) with Air Niugini. You’ll be met at the airport
by Nusa Island staff and driven in approximately five minutes
to the wharf where it’s on a boat to get across to Nusa
Island Retreat.
Contact
Nusa Island Retreat
T: +675 984 2247
E: nir@global.net.pg
W: www.nusaislandretreat.com.pg
You will LOVE!
- the daily before-brekky surf (roll out of bed into the dinghy)
- brekky
- the after brekky surf
- lunch
- the after lunch surf
- afternoon beer
- the after-afternoon beer surf
- the dinner feast featuring the best seafood you’ll ever have
- okay there’s more than just the surf and food: diving and snorkelling anywhere in the region, including on WWII wrecks
- wandering the markets in Kavieng
- exploring nearby islands and villages on the sea kayaks
- slowly coming to understand and appreciate the WWII history that occurred here (the Japanese held New Ireland for a long time
- watching the locals ‘shark call’
- the huge smiles plastered on nearly every local’s face
- surfing alongside local kids who ride anything they can find approximating a plank?
- the truly tropical way of life
You might NOT LIKE!
- the mozzies; they’re not bad, but they are there
- sharing a bathroom if you’re not in the posh lodges
- no air conditioning
- the beds are basic
- for non-fish lovers: the dominance of fish on the buffet
- being stuck on Nusa island... you have to wait for a dinghy to be available if you want to get back onto the main island for any reason. But then, you’ve got all the time in the world so relax, eh?
- having to leave