Diving Trip to Papua New Guinea • Tufi Resort
Travel period
Features
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Tufi Resort in Papua New Guinea
Tufi is one of Papua New Guinea’s most unique destinations. Tucked away among impressive, rainforest-covered fjords, the resort is the ideal base for a diving vacation that combines spectacular underwater experiences with authentic culture.
The waters around Tufi offer a surprising variety. You’ll dive on colorful coral reefs, explore the impressive Blackjack wreck—a nearly intact B-17 bomber from World War II—and have the chance to encounter barracudas, reef sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, and other pelagic species. The sheltered fjords, on the other hand, are a paradise for macro diving enthusiasts, with gobies, nudibranchs, shrimp, and countless other small underwater creatures. Thanks to the calm conditions, beautiful soft corals and colorful sponges also thrive here. The house reef is definitely worth a visit, whether for a dive—during the day or on a night dive—or for snorkeling, kayaking, or canoeing.
If you want to discover more than just the underwater world, a cultural excursion will introduce you to the hospitable people of Tufi. Learn how to build a fire and bake bread the traditional way, admire local dances and crafts, and end the day with a barbecue on Komoa Beach. This way, you’ll experience not only Tufi’s impressive natural beauty but also the rich culture that makes this remote destination so special.
Best time to visit Tufi, Papua New Guinea, for a diving vacation
You can visit Tufi year-round. Generally speaking, October and November are the best months to consider if you want both the best diving conditions and the chance to spot hammerhead sharks, among other things. From around April through September, the sea gets a bit rougher, but this is still a good time for divers. Keep in mind that the wind can be stronger, which can sometimes limit access to the offshore reefs.
Average temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Tufi, Papua New Guinea
In most cases, a 3mm or even a rashguard will suffice. Around the month of August, the water in Tufi is the coldest, about 26C. Then you might even consider a 5mm.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Days 1 & 2 | The Trip to Papua New Guinea
Today you begin your journey to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Travel from Europe to Port Moresby usually requires a combination of international flights. The most common routes include transfers in Singapore or Brisbane. Travelers can choose from several airlines serving these routes. Although the journey may take some time, it offers adventurous travelers the chance to discover a pristine piece of paradise.
On day 2 you will arrive in Port Moresby and it is probably not possible to fly on to Tufi. Upon arrival in Port Moresby, check into the Airways Hotel, near the airport. Tomorrow you will make another short flight to Tufi, but for now you can rest first.
Please note that for this program, arrival in Tufi is always on a Friday. This depends on the local flights, which do not operate daily.
Day 3 | A short flight to Tufi
The flight from Port Moresby to Tufi is a unique experience in itself. You board a small plane and fly to Tufi in less than an hour. The airstrip in Tufi is made of gravel and is right next to the Tufi Resort, which makes arrival very convenient. In fact, the airline check-in counter is even located in the resort!
Once you’ve arrived at the Tufi Resort, check in and spend the rest of the day exploring this enchanting setting. Whether you want to snorkel, kayak, canoe on the house reef (included in your stay), or take a relaxing walk through nature, there is something for everyone. And if you’re a lover of orchids, you’ve come to the right place! The Tufi region and surrounding areas are known for their diversity and abundance of orchids, from common to extremely rare species. As many as 120 different bird species have also been spotted in the area, making bird lovers in their element here.
Days 4–11 | Diving and Culture
For the next 8 days you will make 2 boat dives daily in the morning. Diving at Tufi is truly fantastic and wonderfully diverse with an abundance of world-class dive sites. Some of our favorites include Cyclone Cay, Black Rocks, Stewarts Reef and Shark Tip.
The fjords lend themselves perfectly to macro diving, where you can discover gobies, nudibranchs, shrimp and shellfish. Snorkeling is also ideal here because of the excellent conditions. Many sponges and coral species grow abundantly in the fjords because of the low current, and some very large sponges and table corals can be found here, which is rare on the outer reefs.
At 5-10 nautical miles from shore are a series of reefs and bommies rising from dizzying depths of up to 600 meters to a safe stop at 5-7 meters below the surface. Spectacular marine wildlife, including schools of barracuda, reef fish, several species of sharks such as the rare white hammerhead are spotted here.
Most of the reefs in the region remain unexplored, and it will take some time before the full diversity of the Tufi reefs is known. The resort focuses on reef and muck diving, and all dives are conducted under the guidance of PADI diving professionals.
Additional activities in the afternoon
Day 5: After diving in the morning, head to Komoa Beach in the afternoon. Every Sunday the resort hosts a cozy beach barbecue here. Enjoy a cold drink as you float in clear blue water. Everything is taken care of to perfection!
Day 8: Visit to local village. A more extensive cultural visit takes place on Day 12.
Day 12 | Cultural visit to the Tufi tribe
Since you start your return trip tomorrow, you can’t dive today. But not to worry, there is a fantastic program scheduled today.
Papua New Guinea is the land of a million different journeys. Tufi explores many of these journeys and lets you discover culture and traditional ways that you think no longer exist.
From the Tufi resort, it is possible to visit a traditional village on a “cultural day trip. The daily life of local villagers includes building their traditional houses and canoes from sago palms, traditional gardening and fishing and processing their food, making ropes for hunting pigs, fishing nets and processing different trees for tapa cloth, traditional clothing. During the cultural day trip you will learn how to build your own fire, see how they still bake their own bread and learn the traditional dances of the tribe. The cultural day will end with a delicious beach BBQ.
Days 13–15 | The Journey Home
Today you will depart again in the morning towards Port Moresby. Depending on your plans and flight schedule, you can travel on in one go or stay another night at the Airways Hotel. Many of our clients traveling to Papua New Guinea combine a stay at the Tufi Resort with a liveaboard in the Bismarck Sea, for example. You’re there now anyway, so to speak…. Feel free to ask us about all the possibilities, via Australia, Solomon Island and Fiji are also “around the corner.
If you have a good connection you can land in Europe during day 14, and otherwise you will be home on day 15.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from Papua New Guinea?
Reefs, fjords, and shipwrecks
Around Tufi, you’ll find a remarkably diverse diving area. You’ll explore colorful coral reefs, dive on the impressive Blackjack wreck, and search for reef sharks, barracudas, manta rays, and other pelagic species. In the sheltered fjords, the focus shifts to small marine life, including nudibranchs, gobies, shrimp, and walls densely covered with soft corals and sponges. Thanks to this variety, no two dives are the same.
The Culture of Tufi
Stay in the heart of the fjords
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Tufi Resort
Tufi Resort is situated in a spectacular location atop one of Papua New Guinea’s distinctive fjords. From the resort, you can enjoy panoramic views of the fjords, the Coral Sea, and the rainforest-covered hills. Thanks to its secluded location, an unparalleled sense of tranquility prevails here, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life quickly feels far away.
The resort features a swimming pool overlooking the fjord, a terrace with a barbecue, a lounge bar, a library, and recreational activities such as pool and table tennis. The main building is built in a colonial style with open spaces, plenty of natural light, and a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. Here you’ll find the reception desk, the restaurant, and the lounge, among other amenities.
Every day, the restaurant prepares fresh meals using local ingredients, including fish and seafood, tropical fruit, and seasonal vegetables. Barbecues are regularly held on the terrace overlooking the fjord, where you can enjoy Papua New Guinean cuisine in a relaxed setting, complemented by a selection of wines and cold beers.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package costs US$ 3.768 per person, based on two people sharing a Standard Room. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of items are included as standard in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from US$ 3.768 p.p.
- 10 nights in a Standard Room
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Diving package with 16 boat dives
- Daily unguided dive on the house reef
- Unlimited snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking
- Tufi Cultural Tour
- Komoa Beach BBQ
- Domestic flights POM - TFI - POM
- Airport Transfers in Tufi
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Port Moresby from US$ 2.055 p.p.
- Marine Park Fee - 20 Kina per day = US$ 6
- Airways Hotel in Port Moresby on Day 2 and Day 13
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Diving equipment, complete set approx. US$ 63 per diem
- Bird of Paradise Tour, approx. US$ 32 p.p.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday
Diving general
This diving trip is suitable for divers of all skill levels. There are plenty of dive sites for divers with little experience, as well as plenty of dive sites for divers with a lot of experience.
In the morning, you’ll do two boat dives. If you dive inside the fjords, you’ll be in sheltered waters and the dive will focus mainly on macro life. If you dive on the outer reefs, you can definitely expect to see some big creatures!
You can do daily unguided dives on the house reef, a fantastic macro dive site that really comes alive, especially after dark.
This ranges from 5 minutes in the fjords to 30/60 minutes for the outer reef dive sites.
In total you can make 4 dives, 2 in the morning (included), and 1 dive on the house reef during the day (included) and 1 dive on the house reef at night (extra: €95,- p.p.).
Yes, on the house reef. This costs an additional €95 p.p.
The house reef is a great macro dive site for a night dive.
Yes, various PADI courses are offered.
Yes, on-site.
Diving equipment
Both tanks are present.
By default, divers use 11.5-liter aluminum tanks. There are also a number of larger tanks available, which are 13-liter tanks.
No, there’s no nitrox
That’s possible. The prices are converted from USD, so they may end up being slightly higher or lower.
- Full set per day: 60 USD, approximately US$ 63
- Complete 5-day set: 210 USD, approximately US$ 211
- Dive computer per day: 25 USD, approximately US$ 25
- Regulator per day: 25 USD, approximately US$ 25
- Wetsuit per day: 10 USD, approximately US$ 10
- Masks per day: 10 USD, approximately US$ 10
- Fins per day: 10 USD, approximately US$ 10
- BCD per day: 15 USD, approximately US$ 15
- Torch per day: 15 USD, approximately US$ 15
- Mask, snorkel, and fins set per day: 15 USD, approximately US$ 15
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Absolutely, in the fjords and on the house reef is fantastic snorkeling.
There are several tours including the birds of paradise tour, BBQ and on Kamoa Beach, a visit to the local village, fishing, snorkeling on the house reef and much more.
Accommodation / Resort
Yes.
You will stay at the Tufi Resort on full board.
Breakfast includes fresh seasonal produce, bread and beverages, with optional hot food for an additional charge. Daily lunches are prepared by local chefs, with a focus on local ingredients ranging from salads to freshly caught fish. Sunday there will be a BBQ at Komoa Beach. Dinner usually consists of three courses, with a weekly buffet depending on the number of guests. The Tufi Bar offers a range of wines and drinks; personal alcohol is not permitted in public areas. Special dietary needs can be accommodated if notified in advance.
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