DESCRIPTION:

Nusa Island Retreat is situated on Nusa Island, just off the coast of Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. The Retreat is low impact and eco-sensitive with accommodation in the form of traditional island style bungalows. Most of the bungalows are set on the water's edge an all have great views.

Nusa Island Retreat was voted one of the ten best beaches in the world – it is set on an idyllic sandy island point and surrounded by superb swimming beaches with crystal clear, coral encrusted lagoons that are teeming with marine life, not to mention the World War II ship and plane wrecks that are also nearby. It is the perfect Papua New Guinea location to base yourself for activities such as surfing, diving, fishing, kayaking, or exploring and cultural activities of any kind.

For surfers looking for somewhere uncrowded different and remote, Nusa Island Retreat is surrounded by an unspoilt natural playground which boasts an excellent variety of numerous surf breaks and waves throughout the surf season. Kavieng is located just a couple of degrees south of the equator, and during the northern hemisphere monsoon, the north coast and the string of islands leading to the west, enjoy uninterrupted North Pacific Ocean swells. The peak surf season extends from November through late April.

ACCOMMODATION:

Nusa Island Retreat is the only accommodation facility in the Kavieng area that caters for surfers by providing boat transfers to the breaks, so the majority of surfers do choose to say there.

They have simple, high quality traditional island-style bungalows that can cater for up to six people. The Premium bungalows are built over the water and have ensuite bathrooms, and the Standard bungalows are built right on the beach or just back from the beach and have the use of shared bathroom facilities. They also have a large 2-storey house with it's own bathroom that is perfect for large groups or families.

FACILITIES:

Restaurant & Bar - Centrally located on the beach point, our bar and restaurant (which has an excellent reputation) is fully licensed & stocks a range of beers, spirits, wine, champagne and soft drinks. Both breakfast and lunch are a variety of dishes chosen from an a la carte menu, and dinner is a buffet-style smorgasbord, with plenty of seafood, fresh local fruits and vegetables, along with pork, beef and chicken dishes.

Toilets & Showers - Communal & centrally located within the Retreat. Nusa Island has a naturally sensitive environment so we (and the community) use dry composting toilets. These systems are some of the first to be used in Papua New Guinea.

Artefacts & Carving Room - Nusa Island Retreat boasts one of the most extensive collections of Malagan carvings as well as a good variety of works from other areas in PNG. Malagan culture is the unique history and tradition of the Northern New Ireland region. Mysterious and intriguing, Malagan carvings are highly sought after by museums and art buyers from all over the world. Most pieces are for sale.

Phones - Use of phone and fax is available upon request.

Email - The Tourist Bureau in Kavieng has a computer that is available for email use at reasonable rates.

Other Activities:

Snorkelling - There are a number of good reefs and areas of interest nearby to snorkel on. There is an interesting plane wreck just a few minutes from the island. We also suggest a day trip to Ral Island for a great snorkelling experience. Hire gear is available from the dive shop.

Sailing - Please enquire at the office if you wish to go sailing. Adventures In Paradise Yacht Charters are located right next to the retreat, and offer Sunrise and Sunset Sails, as well as Half Day and Full Day charters visiting the islands in the area.

Dugout Canoes - There are local style canoes available for complimentary guest use
Sea Kayaks - Several single & double sea kayaks are available for hire at reasonable rates

Cycling Tours - The retreat has 4 good quality mountain bikes, offering a variety of guided tours. Half day and full day Kavieng Town. Sightseeing Tours are available as well as extended overnight tours down the Boluminski Hwy, staying in the local guesthouses. Advance bookings are required for the extended tours.

Walking - Both Nusalik and Nusalavu islands offer nice walks.Nusalavu (or Big Nusa) has rock-pools, a blowhole and several World War II relics that can be explored - allow and hour or two. Or stroll around Nusalik Island and enjoy getting to know some of the local families living the traditional village life. See some of the local women making traditional shell money, as well as a variety of other shell jewellery, which are available for purchase. Please be aware that the locals are generally conservative/traditional people, therefore women should not walk around the island in bathers only (ie. wear a sarong), but can feel free to wear them casually within the retreat.

SURF:

Kavieng and its environs form part of the Bismarck Archipelago, an extensive chain of islands with fringing coral reefs. All breaks are reef breaks, and vary in their degree of difficulty, depending on the size and direction of the swell, and the depth of the reef. A surfer's paradise with consistent swells between 3 - 5 foot, getting up to 6-8 foot and sometimes bigger. All breaks can be surfed on most tides and the set ups vary depending on conditions.

The Kavieng area hosts the Kavieng Surf Club (KSC), which is affiliated with the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea (SAPNG). In an effort to promote sustainable development of this growing sport, the Kavieng Surf Club manage and oversee the Kavieng Area Surf Management Plan, essentially a surf quota system which limits the number of visiting surfers to 20 per day. It is necessary to book into the quota prior to arriving in Kavieng, as it does book out well in advance.. When making your booking with us, we will confirm availability within the surf quota, and book you in on your behalf. With 9 breaks in the Management Plan, and only 20 visiting surfers plus a handful of local surfers, waves are guaranteed to be uncrowded!

Nusa Island Retreat operates 6 long boats to access the breaks, and surfers need to prepay Surf Transfers for the duration of their stay. This transfer fee allows unlimited boat access to all of the breaks within the Management Plan area. There are no set transfer times, as they have boat drivers ready to take you surfing when you want to go surfing. They try and spread groups around the different breaks, rather than piling you all onto the one peak, but essentially you choose where you want to surf. The boat and driver stay with you at the break for the entire period that you are in the water, ready to return you to the retreat when you are ready.

PACKAGES:

Standard - Includes economy flights & taxes departing Sydney/Brisbane with Air Niugini, 7 nights bungalow accommodation, all meals, surf transfers daily, PNG surf association & Kavieng surf club taxes and airport transfers. 7 nights - AU$2640 per person

Premium - Includes economy flights & taxes departing Sydney/Brisbane with Air Niugini, 7 nights accommodation in over water bungalow with ensuite, all meals, surf transfers daily, PNG surf association & Kavieng surf club taxes and airport transfers. 7 nights - AU$2780 per person