Papua New Guinea is the perfect vacation destination for people who have seen it all! There is sure to be something in Papua to impress even the most seasoned traveler. The scenery remains the same as it has been for hundreds of years, the culture remains traditional, and water sports abound for the adventurous traveler.
To start your exploration of Papua, take an island cruise. In fact, many visitors make their vacation a cruise experience. The Sepik Spirit is a large cruise ship that takes visitors on three or six night cruises on the Sepik River. This is a great way to explore life along the rivers, which has remained relatively the same for centuries.
Papua New Guinea is often called an underwater photographer’s paradise. Some of the most famous underwater photography has been taken on dives around the island. Beneath the depths of the water, you can see all kinds of coral, including impressive coral walls and gardens, as well as kelp beds and numerous WWII shipwreck sites. The waters around Papua New Guinea are warm and this makes diving available year-round. The area’s beautiful coral reefs are teeming with the world’s most colorful fish! The sport of scuba diving is worth learning when you visit this lush island!
Many people come to Papua New Guinea to enjoy jungle treks through the formidable wilderness. Whatever your skill level, there is a hike or hike to match on the island. In the Highlands, you can climb high mountains with beautiful views and several volcanoes. Alternatively, take several days and trek through the jungle with your own private guide. Be sure to keep an eye out for World War II artifacts, which are hidden all over the island.
If you like wildlife, you’ll want to take a day to go bird watching. The island is the only place to see the Bird of Paradise, and there are nearly forty different species of these extraordinarily colorful birds. If you’re new to birding, you can take guided tours of some of the rainforests to find the best spots to spot the island’s colorful birds.
For an extreme island adventure, enjoy rafting on some of Papua New Guinea’s rivers. There are rapids for all skill levels and many companies to help you get the adrenaline rush that comes from an exhilarating river trip. This is another way to see some of the island’s colorful flora and fauna!
During your visit to New Guinea, be sure to take some time to experience the local culture of the Aboriginal people. While the island’s people constantly face the challenges of modernization, there are many highland subsistence farms that still rely on the culture that has been a part of their lives for hundreds of years. A diverse island, there are over a thousand different cultures on the island to explore. To find your next adventure, head to the exotic embrace of Papua New Guinea.
