Resorts
TAWALI RESORT
This unique and special resort nestles in an orchid-rich jungle, at the edge of the ocean, amongst the fishing villages of the Milne Bay area of Papua New Guinea. Reachable only by boat and built on a bluff above the water, the jungle surrounds Tawali. Birdsong fills the air and one can almost feel the luscious weight of the jungle’s energy all around. Tawali is stimulating, exciting and yet ultimately relaxing. The entire resort has been constructed by local craftsmen from local lumber and beautifully carved woodwork including totems and masks are found through the resort. Some of these artworks took two years to complete and they are unique to the Milne Bay area. Since there was no electricity supply to this remote area until Tawali was built, all the woodwork was built on site by hand. The project brought new opportunities to the local people and has been a huge boost to the local workers. Locals previously without jobs were trained by local carpenters and given new skills. Now covered wooden walkways connect the air-conditioned bungalows to the main buildings, including the reception area, library and dining room. The library is set up to allow digital photographers to edit images on site. There is a satellite phone service.
Each bungalow has a private balcony overlooking Hoia Bay. There are two queen-sized beds in each room and the hand-carved rosewood interiors are simple and elegant. The beautifully crafted and hand polished floors are a delight to see. Each room has its own personal safe and coffee making facilities (and PNG coffee is delicious!), as well as a work desk for setting up camera systems. Bathrooms are modern and fully tiled with solar powered hot water systems so a hot shower is always available. Relax on the veranda after the diving is over and enjoy watching the pod of dolphins that often visit the bay, whilst you sip a glass of wine.
Great care has been taken to ensure top quality food from local ingredients. Local farmers raise the fruits and vegetables served at table and great pride is taken to provide the best variety and the freshest fruits. Mango, papaya and pineapple are abundant locally, as are several varieties of banana and coconut. Maybe dinner will consist of local fish wrapped in banana leaves or fresh fruit straight from the trees. Bread is baked each day and desserts are a speciality (PNG grows some superb cocoa for chocolate, too!). Three buffet meals are served each day, with snacks, juices, coffee and tea available throughout the day. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are served at the bar. A covered wooden veranda makes a very pleasant place to enjoy dinner or maybe a drink, whilst listening to the chorus of tree frogs or the calls of jungle birds. There is much for the non-diver (or the diver on a day off) to enjoy locally and trips can easily be arranged. Enjoy a guided hike in the rainforest or through local villages, but take a pair of binoculars so that you can enjoy some of the 269 species of birds that have been found here. A visit to the skull caves is certain to be fascinating. The remains of village dignitaries were placed here for centuries. This spooky experience is not to be missed. All land activities are arranged on a weekly basis and are conducted by experienced local guides.
The dive centre is close to the main resort and is reached along a covered walkway. Each day there is a choice of coastal or outer reef diving. Coastal day boat dives leave the resort in the morning and return for lunch and leave again in the afternoon, returning in plenty of time for dinner. These trips are 2-tank dives and you can opt to take a morning trip followed by an afternoon trip, or simply keep to 2 tanks each day. Outer Reefs boat dives are also offered on a daily basis. Outer Reefs trips consist of a 3-tank dive (with lunch taken with you). Shore diving on the house reef, including night diving, is also available daily. Nitrox is available.
The resort is reached by a road transfer, and when the road peters out you make the final stage by boat (about a 15 minutes ride)!
Stays can be of any length. Prices given below relate to a stay of 7 nights.
Price from $2206 for 7 nights. Includes: airport transfers; 7 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a twin/share basis at Tawali Resort, including coffee, tea and fruit juices; 6 days of diving (3 boat and/or shore dives daily, dive guide on boat dives, reef and chamber fees); fuel surcharge. Reduction for non-divers. Single Occupancy Supplement: $269 for 7 nights.