Papua New Guinea
Signature
January to April, September to December
Trip Overview
The PNG Explorer is Papua New Guinea’s premier liveaboard surf charter, offering a rare opportunity to explore one of the last truly uncrowded frontiers in surfing. Operating along the remote northern coastline, the Explorer has no fixed schedule, allowing the experienced crew to chase the best conditions each day. Guests can expect access to a wide variety of high-quality reef and point breaks, many of which are rarely surfed and completely isolated.
The surf season runs from October to April, bringing consistent North Pacific swells that light up the region’s diverse setups, from long, peeling rights to hollow, fast lefts.
Designed for both adventure and comfort, the PNG Explorer accommodates a small group of surfers between 8 and 10, ensuring an uncrowded lineup and a personalised experience. The vessel features spacious cabins, an open-air dining area, and plenty of deck space to relax between surfs. Tender boats provide quick access to breaks, while hearty meals, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, and village visits round out the experience.
With its combination of world-class waves, total flexibility, and off-the-grid exploration, the PNG Explorer delivers a surf trip unlike anything else in the world.
Accommodation
With five spacious cabins, PNG Explorer accommodates a maximum of 10 guests. The entire vessel is air-conditioned, keeping it at the perfect temperature on those hot PNG days. There are also two separate shower rooms with hot water, as well as laundry services.
The spacious lounge area is equipped with a large flat-screen TV, DVD player and sound system. Alternatively, guests can kick back between surfs with a collection of popular books and magazines.
Make your way to the upper deck where you can relax on a daybed while enjoying views of the surf with a cold drink in hand. The lower surf deck has plenty of space to store your surfboards, as well as your wax, sunscreen and an esky to chill your drinks. The aluminium dive ladder and underwater platform make it easy to access the water from the vessel’s deck.
Enquire Now
Surfing PNG
Surfing aboard the PNG Explorer offers a truly unique experience, combining world-class waves with the freedom and flexibility of a charter boat. As Papua New Guinea’s only liveaboard surf charter, the PNG Explorer gives guests access to remote and rarely surfed breaks along the country’s pristine northern coastline.
With no fixed itinerary, the crew can chase the best conditions day by day, offering everything from long, reeling point breaks to punchy reef setups, often with no other surfers in sight.
The prime season runs from November to April, when consistent swells from the North Pacific light up the region’s wide variety of waves.
Daily surf missions are supported by tender boats for quick access to the breaks. With a knowledgeable crew, experienced surf guides, and access to some of PNG’s most remote and untouched coastlines, the PNG Explorer offers an unparalleled surf trip for those looking to venture well off the beaten path.
Malili
A long wave with a playful and surfable wall, this wave is a mellower option on bigger swells and is good for all levels of surfers.
Vala Vala
Vala Vala is a right-hand reef pass close to the shore. It has a flat weed-covered reef bottom and a double bowl section. Vala Vala is a consistent break and a swell magnet that is a popular choice for surfers of all abilities.
Korongai (The Slab)
A right-hand reef break located at the entrance to the bay. Korongai is hollow in both directions, but only for 25 metres. Paddle in, grab the rail and be spat out. It’s a four-second ride that guarantees a cover-up and could be the best barrel of your life.
Naikasau (Outer Kiddies)
A fast and playful right-hand point, breaking off a beautiful island. Short and shallow and lots of fun.
Lovongai Right
A peeling right-hander that delivers a long ride with a consistent wall set in one of the most beautiful locations in the region.
Anselim’s Reef
Not one of the most surfed waves in the region, Anselm’s Reef is sheltered from the easterly wind but needs decent swell before it starts to work.
Drain Pipe
Drain Pipe needs a solid swell to work, but in the right conditions is a hollow and crazy right-hander with big barrels.
Two Trees
Consistent and reliable, Two Trees is a barreling right-hander with several sections. Good for surfers of all levels.
Surf Guiding
On board the PNG Explorer, the dedicated surf guide plays a crucial role in maximising the surf experience, using in-depth knowledge of local conditions to get guests into the best waves at the right times. The guide works closely with the captain to track swells, winds, and tides, ensuring flexible daily missions tailored to the conditions and crew.
They also help manage the group dynamic in the water, matching surfers with suitable breaks, offering tips on specific spots, and maintaining a smooth, respectful vibe in the lineup. Their local insight also enhances cultural interactions during village visits, adding depth and ease to the overall experience.
Food & Drinks
Some Caption here
From the modern galley, PNG Explorer’s chef caters to a range of dietary requirements and serves up a selection of delicious food, from poached eggs and fresh juices to mouth-watering lobster and tender roast lamb.
For breakfast, guests can expect PNG’s finest coffee, teas, fresh fruit, smoothies, toast, pancakes and a cooked breakfast of eggs and bacon. Lunch includes a range of sandwiches, wraps and salads, and dinners include freshly caught fish, lobster or mud crab, or a selection of meat and vegetarian dishes.
You won’t go hungry between meals on PNG Explorer, with fresh sugar bananas, pineapples and pawpaw always in abundance, as well as freshly baked coconut and banana cupcakes and other local specialties. You’ll love the delicious snacks onboard including chips, peanuts, fresh sashimi and the skipper’s favorite fish bites.
To minimise plastic waste, all guests are given an aluminum drink bottle, which you can refill in the galley. Enjoy a refreshing beverage on board as you take in the last waves of the day and choose from a selection of drink options, including the local and popular ‘SP’ brew, soft drinks, and mixers.
Enquire NowActivities & Experiences
While the PNG Explorer is primarily a surf-focused vessel, it also offers a range of non-surfing activities that make the journey just as rewarding for non-surfers or those looking to take a break between sessions. Fishing is a major highlight, with guests able to troll for tuna, Spanish mackerel, and other pelagic species as the boat cruises between locations. The crew is well-equipped with fishing gear and local knowledge, giving guests the chance to land fresh catches that are often served up for meals on board.
Beyond fishing, the PNG Explorer provides opportunities to explore the rich cultural and natural landscapes of Papua New Guinea. Guests can take guided visits to remote coastal villages, where traditional ways of life are still practiced, offering a rare and respectful window into PNG’s vibrant cultures.
Snorkeling in the region’s clear, coral-rich waters is also a favorite pastime, along with paddleboarding, beachcombing, or simply relaxing on deck with panoramic views of untouched coastline.
Enquire Now
Some Caption here
