Discovered by Dutch explorers in 1516, it was 1877 when the first missionaries arrived.  

With the development of copra plantations it soon became one of Germany's most profitable colonies.  During World War II, New Ireland fell to the Japanese and many of the island's towns, infrastructure and industry was destroyed.  Kavieng is situated at the northern tip of the island.  It has often been described as a "typical Somerset Maughan south sea island port".

This is an island paradise of sandy white beaches, clear springs and rivers and soaring mountains that run the entire length of the island.

A road links north to south and is made from crushed coral.  Travel is easier by boat and the interesting Malangan culture in the northern and central part of the island is unique within the Pacific.

Sorcery, shark calling, surfing and gourmet seafood including coconut crabs, crayfish, reef-fish and unpolluted shellfish make New Ireland and its outer island an escapist dream.

Kavieng has daily F28 jet services from Port Moresby via Rabaul or Manus Island.  

Check the Air Niugini schedule and fares

A little more than one hour's flight from Port Moresby (PNG's capital), over rugged mountains, secluded tropical islands and waterways, brings you to one of Papua New Guinea’s most picturesque and tranquil outer islands, New Ireland.  With it's crystal clear, tropical waters teeming with diverse marine life and WWII relics, New Ireland offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to escape to an idyllic tropical island paradise undisturbed by modern civilization.

Kavieng, the capital of New Ireland Province, is situated on a beautiful harbour at the northern tip of the island of New Ireland.  This is a sleepy little town with a surprisingly modern airport, two supermarkets, a couple of government offices, two hotels and a regular fresh food market.

Off the north-western coast of New Ireland is New Hanover.  Between the two islands is a maze of reefs, coral islands, clear water mangroves and passes - a marine nursery of amazing fertility.  The southwest coastal reefs drop precipitously (down to 1000 meters plus) forming dramatic drop-offs at the entrance to passes between the Bismarck Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

It is the unique location of the tiny little islands between the open South Pacific Ocean and the Bismarck Sea that has created an underwater wonderland.

The change of tides produces some strong currents which flush clear waters from the deep sea over the abundant reefs and through tiny passages.  It is during those currents that the pelagic action is happening.