Coast and Beaches
Lissenung Island Resort
Located a 20-minute boat ride from Kavieng – the capital of the New Ireland Province, Lissenung Island is a small, private island with tall palm trees and framed by white sandy beaches. Situated only 2 degrees south of the Equator, its part of the Coral Triangle and home to some of the highest coral, fish and invertebrate diversity in the world. Established in 1996 by Dietmar Amon, an Austrian dive enthusiast who is still the owner and director to this day, the resort’s four bungalows and other buildings remain the only developments upon the island. Children are only permitted over the age of 12, and the maximum occupancy of 16 guests means that personal service and a relaxed atmosphere is guaranteed. The small size of the resort emphasises its philosophy and desire to acquaint guests with the local community and traditional way of life.
All buildings are built in the traditional style, with hardwood floors and spacious verandas in each room. The eight rooms are in four duplex bungalows, dotted around the island to offer privacy and tranquillity. Accommodation is basic but comfortable. In keeping with the resort’s eco-tourism objective, half of the roof of each bungalow is corrugated iron, in order to collect rainwater which is fed into a tank and used as the resort’s water course. Using local building materials and labour, the developments are eco-friendly and blend beautifully with the island’s lush vegetation.
The main house, or ‘haus win’ is the hub of the resort, where drinks and meals are served. Featuring comfortable chairs on a sandy floor, local artwork and a large communal table for meals, it is perfectly in keeping with the traditional and natural feel of the resort. A daily-changing menu offers a seafood/fish and a chicken/meat option for lunch & dinner. Guests simply tick their day’s choices before heading out for diving, and the food will be plated individually. Just about all options can be turned into a vegetarian or even vegan version, and almost all of the ingredients used are purchased fresh from local fishermen and farmers.
As the majority of guests come here for the diving, the resort has a fabulous dive set up featuring three dive boats, several highly experienced dive guides and a fully equipped dive shop. In close proximity to the island are around 40 wonderful dive sites to choose from. Additionally, due to the small occupancy of the island diving programmes can easily be tailored to suit individual desires, should the conditions allow for it. Daily boat trips to the outer reefs, drop offs and wrecks with a maximum of three dives per day are offered. The day usually starts at 8.30am with 2 morning boat dives and guests return to the island for lunch. In the afternoon, you can go out for a third boat dive, relax on the island or take a shore dive on the fabulous house reef. Night dives are also available upon the house reef. PADI and speciality dive courses can be arranged for new divers.
As well as diving, Lissenung island offers great surfing opportunities for keen surfers. A special agreement with reef owners means the resort’s guests are able to surf any break at any time, and have exclusive access to the sell in this area. Unlike the dive centre, the island cannot offer any surf equipment or instruction, so guests wishing to experience the tropical reef surfing must bring their own equipment.
Facilities
Restaurant/bar area, three dive boats, a fully equipped dive centre. The rooms have a mosquito net, fly screen windows, verandas, all bathroom amenities, and large desks by the window, ideal for sorting camera equipment.
Local Wildlife
Marine life in the area is spectacular, and particularly well known for pelagic fish activity. Guests can expect to find shark, tuna, barracuda, and eagle and mobula rays if lucky. The coral is wonderful and many smaller species can be found within the reefs. The house reef is home to seahorses, up to six different clown fish species, and around 175 colourful reef fish species. The resort’s turtle conservation scheme also means that hawksbill and green turtles are regular visitors to the island.
Optional Activities
Diving, snorkelling, surfing, fishing, kitesurfing, village tours and island walks.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
Beer and wine are available at the resort, but if you wish to drink spirits it is recommended to bring your own – there are mixers available on site!
If you have any questions regarding our Papua New Guinea tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We write to express our thanks for organising another highly successful special itinerary tour [to Papua new Guinea], despite the last minute changes to our tour schedule. We were very impressed with [your representatives]. They ran a highly professional service in all aspects. The three lodges, all with their own very special character, were well run with friendly staff, clean and with good facilities. The food at all three was excellent -including the vegetarian provision. The transfer arrangements…were excellent…The excursion opportunities at all the lodges were good.. .The three contrasting locations of the lodges…enabled us to sample three very different village cultures, and their remoteness and juxtaposition to primary rainforest. . .made for excellent wildlife viewing especially for birds.. .In all our world travels so far, we have never been able to match the very special experience that combined the comfort of these individually unique lodges.. .with the opportunities to explore some of the world’s dwindling rainforest and meet its ancient and charming peoples and witness its unique birdlife. To step outside our lodge cabin [at Tari] and observe three species of birds of paradise was just magic!