Lissenung Island ResortKavieng

Lissenung Island is like a small paradise in the middle of the South Pacific, just one resort on a very pretty island, how much more secluded can it be? This perl of an island is very close to fantastic reefs which are amongst the finest in PNG. The island is a short boat ride away from Kavieng and has a fully qualified PADI dive base. Lissenung Island has a soft pink sand beach, which is extremely rare in PNG; the perfect place for happy hour drinks as the sun goes down.

Lissenung Island Resort has come a long way since the mid 1990s, when the little resort appeared on the international dive market. The rough edges have been 'filed away', and without changing the lovely and unpretentious setting of this quiet and remote island, Dietmar and Ange, the owners of Lissenung Island have made considerable improvements to the accommodations and facilities.

Nearby Kavieng, the main town of New Ireland province, is a remote area even by PNG standards. Supply ships arrive irregularly, and produce we all take for granted at our local supermarkets may be scarce for months at a time. Under these difficult circumstances the inventive menus prepared in the Lissenung kitchen deserve high praise indeed, as does their little herb and vegetable patch. Fish, lobster, crayfish and chicken feature quite often, and vegetarian versions may also be ordered at any time, though meat and milk products are always difficult to find in this part of the world.

Excursions to neighbouring islands and village visit are easily arranged. With a maximum of only 14 divers and snorkellers Lissenung is often booked out by families or friends travelling together and thus enjoying their own private island, and even fully booked this island will never feel crowded.

Almost all of the 7 rooms now feature spotlessly clean, modern ensuite bathrooms, spacious covered verandahs (some with daybeds), gleaming wooden floors and the intricate woodwork the Kavieng region is famous for. There are three bungalow blocks, each bungalow has two private rooms. Six rooms have their own private facilities. 1 room has shared shower and toilet building which are just a short stroll away. Every room has ceiling fans, fly-screens and mosquito nets.

Sandy pathways, fringed by fragrant floral plants and tropical shrubs, meander between all bungalows and beach facilities. At night tiki lights lead the way to the main house. Although the water is not heated, the warm environment usually ensures that the water temperature is pleasant.

The main house was designed to let nature in, with a sandy floor, handcrafted furniture and comfortable lounges and beautifully decorated with masks and other local artwork. This is where everyone comes together a few times a day for lovingly prepared meals, games and stories or a quiet afternoon with a good book. Next door and adjacent to the dive shed is the newly-built, spacious and airconditioned office with separate desks for guests who would like to send emails or digitalise their photographs.

Lissenung Island Resort has stable mobile phone reception. Prepaid local Sim cards are available. Some rooms and all common areas have free wireless internet access for guests. The resort also provides a guest computer for internet access upon request.

This is the perfect place to unwind from stressful city life and stay close to nature, listening to the birds in the trees and the waves lapping on the beach.