Circumnavigation of New Britain Island

Embarkation | Madang, Papua New Guinea

Madang Township was once known as the “prettiest town in the South Pacific”. Its peninsula setting is a showplace of parks, waterways, luxuriant shade trees and sparkling tropical islands. The diverse geographical nature of Madang province is reflected in the 170 different languages that are spoken. This diversity is showcased in the Madang festival with its colourful displays of “sing sings” performed by numerous cultural groups from across the Madang Province.

PASPALEY PEARL will be alongside in Madang.

Cape Gloucester. West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

Lying on the northern peninsula at the west end of the island of New Britain is the seldom visited location of Cape Gloucester. The Peninsula is densely vegetated with thick rainforest, and the extinct Mount Talawe volcano creates a spectacular backdrop to the south. On the eastern flank of Talawe lie the four overlapping volcanic cones of the active Langila Volcano. Langila is one of the most active volcanoes in the Bismark archipelago. Several uninhabited picture postcard islands lie just offshore, providing the ideal location for swimming and snorkelling in the warm tropical waters of the Bismarck Sea.

Witu Islands. West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

The Witu, or Vitu Islands are volcanic ocean peaks fringed by coral reefs located in the Bismarck Sea off the north coast of New Britain Island. They were once the chief copra centre of Papua New Guinea, today cocoa is now the main crop harvested. The largest island, Garove or Big Witu is a volcanic caldera where the southern rim has collapsed, creating a spectacular entrance. The main village of Garove is nestled inside this scenic natural harbour.

Kimbe Bay. West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

Kimbe Bay is at the heart of the Coral Triangle and is considered one of the world’s most diverse ocean environments, with everything from shallow seagrass beds and mangroves to deep seamounts. It is an important biodiversity hotspot, home to more than 60 percent of the coral species of the entire Indo-Pacific region. Above the water, black volcanic beaches provide a unique and dramatic contrast to the lush greenery of the surrounding forests. The volcanic landscapes create spectacular scenery and a rich flora that adds to the region’s appeal.

Ataliklikun Bay. East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

Ataliklikun Bay is home to the indigenous Tolai, who are believed to have migrated to the Gazelle Peninsula relatively recently, displacing the Baining people who were subsequently driven westwards. Whilst the Tolai people almost universally identify as Christians, old beliefs and traditions still persist including the secret Duk-Duk society. The society has religious, political and social objectives, representing a form of law and order through its presiding spirits. Duk-Duk only appeared with the full moon. Justice was executed, fines extorted, taboos, feasts, taxes and all tribal matters arranged by the Duk-Duk members, wearing masks or chalk on their faces.

Rabaul. East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

Set at the eastern end of the island of New Britain, the tropical port town of Rabaul has always been famous for its spectacular setting. Nestled beside Simpson Harbour, the township is surrounded by six volcanoes, one of which, Mt Tavurvur, is still active today. The most recent major volcanic eruption was in September 1994 when Tavurvur and Vulcan covered much of Rabaul and surrounding villages with volcanic ash. This eruption saw the growth of the nearby coastal town of Kokopo which has now become the administrative and tourism centre for Rabaul.

Duke of York Islands. East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

Located in the St George’s Channel between New Britain and New Ireland, the Duke of York islands comprise 13 rarely visited islands totalling 58 square kilometres in area. The first European to site the islands and give them their name was the British navigator Philip Carteret, in 1767. In the 1870s, a German trading station was opened at Balanawang Harbour, and the area’s first Methodist mission was established in 1880.

Jacquinot Bay. East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.

Jacquinot Bay lies on the south coast of the island of New Britain and is surrounded by the densely forested central mountain range that dominates the southern part of the island. Prior to World War II there were several small villages and localities around the bay, including copra plantations at Palmalmal and Cutarp. It was used as a logistics and support base during the New Britain Campaign of World War II after being captured by an Allied amphibious operation undertaken on 4 November 1944.

Tami Islands, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

The Tami Islands (Kalal, Wanam & Idjan) are a small group of uplifted coral atolls, with two main villages on the two larger islands and many smaller reefs and cays. In the centre is a beautiful, crystal clear blue lagoon with abundant marine life and stunning coral formations. The seldom-visited islands are located off the coast not far from the town of Finschaffen. Tami Islanders are renowned artisans and are most famous for their intricately decorated bowls.

Disembarkation | Madang, Papua New Guinea

Madang Township was once known as the “prettiest town in the South Pacific”. Its peninsula setting is a showplace of parks, waterways, luxuriant shade trees and sparkling tropical islands. The diverse geographical nature of Madang province is reflected in the 170 different languages that are spoken. This diversity is showcased in the Madang festival with its colourful displays of “sing sings” performed by numerous cultural groups from across the Madang Province.

PASPALEY PEARL will be alongside in Madang and disembarkation will commence after breakfast.