Vanimo Surf Lodge has a range of surf breaks on the north coast of Papua New Guinea neighbouring Indonesia’s territory of Jayapura. Vanimo, like a number of other Papua New Guinean locations, has remained a relative secret and still today enjoys a low profile as thousands of surfers fly overhead to other locations around the globe overlooking what is basically a wave mecca on Australia’s doorstep.
Vanimo is located approximately 1500kms north of Cairns, Australia. Air Niugini has daily flights from Brisbane to Port Moresby and every second day from Port Moresby to Vanimo (1.5hr). Air Niugini has fares to Port Moresby from Sydney (4.5hr).
SURF
The waves on offer in Vanimo make it an idyllic location for surfers who are looking to surf without a couple of hundred “mates” in the water. On most days you would be lucky to have in excess of 6 surfers at any break and more likely 3-4. Foresight and planning is the secret to low numbers here as the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea have introduced a global first to maintain and limit the crowds for the benefit of all. Vanimo is arguably one of the safest PNG surf destinations as all staff are trained in Basic First Aid and if required the hospital is only a 10-minute drive away near the airport.
Consistent swell is about the only thing that runs on time and most times the season runs early in October and finishes late in May. The Lodge is open from November to April for surfing and closed May to October. Fishing charters can be another option, we’ve had Giant Trevally up to 10kg caught right out the front of the lodge, just off the beach, on lures. Enjoying a meal at the restaurant with a couple of ice cold local South Pacific lagers to wash it down is not a bad way to end the day as the sun sets to the west in a very similar scene to that of Hawaii’s North Shore except there’s hardly anyone around to get in that sunset photo snap.
ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation at Vanimo Surf Lodge is beachfront traditional hut style with some stylish finishes. The traditional hut theme was selected to blend in with the village surroundings and give the traveller a cultural experience leaving the big city.
FOOD
Meals at the lodge may be made from locally sourced seafood, meat, chicken and vegetables so it’s always fresh and cooked in the traditional way for another cultural experience. If you like fruit there is certainly no shortage as the lodge grows its own red paw paws and there is a wide selection of other locally grown fruits including limes, bananas, star fruit, pineapple and even local vanilla beans. The locals are always up for a bit of a chat and you’ll get the chance to learn some “pidgin” English at the same time.
