Owned in partnership by Australians and native Papua New Guinea people this place is well laid out comfortable and above all it is yours!!!! for the time you are there. No neurotic tourists, no fluffy cocktails just adventure, with friends or family.
A hop, skip and jump from Sydney, Brisbane or Cairns to Port Moresby and then an unbelievably picturesque flight over the mountains to Vanimo.
The Detail
Vanimo Surf Lodge has a range of surf breaks on the north coast of Papua New Guinea neighbouring Indonesia’s territory of Jayapura.
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 six surfers at any break and more likely three to four.
Foresight and planning is the secret to low numbers here as the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea has introduced a global first to maintain and limit the crowds for the benefit of all. The various locations around Papua New Guinea have a limit on the number of visiting surfers and at Vanimo the current limit is 20 visiting surfers spread over eight breaks. The ability to travel to the different local breaks by foot, land and sea provides great variety.
The range of waves varies from the easy Town Beach to the freight trains at the right at Log Point and Lido’s Left. Immediately out and in the front of the Vanimo Surf Lodge within easy view from the restaurant deck area is Lido’s right which peels endlessly over a mostly sand covered rock bottom with enticing backdoor sections similar to Australia’s famous Angourie Point.
Vanimo’s surf area offers a total backdrop of tropical wilderness with a view back to shore only occasionally dotted with a village hut amongst the thousands of coconut palms and beautiful tropical jungle. The lodge currently accommodates 12 guests. It is located on the beachfront adjacent to the small Lido village.
There are no surf shops but there are local doctors, hospital, banks, supermarket and pharmacy in town.
Local villagers gather each day in the Vanimo town centre to sell their crafts made from all natural materials.
Vanimo Surf Lodge has contacts with local villages to facilitate tours around the area. A favourite is the Waterfall tour where you meet with a team of guides who walk you along the cool mountain stream for approximately two kilometres upstream to a series of waterfalls where the water is so refreshing, crystal clear and cool.
The lodge can also arrange snorkelling and game fishing tours on request.
The lodge clientele ranges from those looking for adventure in waves surrounded by a jungle shoreline in uncrowded waves where smiling and waving dominates any aggression in the line-up which is reserved for the wave faces, to those simply wanting to relax by the beach sipping a cool drink of your choice or coffee. Papua New Guinea grows some of the world’s finest Arabica coffee so you can be sure it is as fresh as you can get.
It makes for a holiday atmosphere where you can totally relax in and out of the water, time is not a problem because not many people bother with a watch and nothing much runs on time in Papua New Guinea.
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. Fishing 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.
Meals at the lodge are made from locally sourced seafood, meat, chicken, farmed crocodile when available 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 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.
Bookings are easily made online, just go to their site (linked below)
https://www.vanimosurflodge.com
https://www.instagram.com/vanimosurflodge/
https://www.facebook.com/Vanimo-Surf-Lodge-Papua-New-Guinea-219921698049007/?fref=ts
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), Brisbane (3hr) and Cairns (1.5hr).
Earthseatravel Vanimo an excellent tick for value for money and a unique place to travel.
Should you require any further information, hit us up here on this blog, or go to the Vanimo website.
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