Ocean Lover's Dream: Papua New Guinea

In the north of Papua New Guinea, in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Lissenung Island offers dreamlike corals, surfing – and hope – to divers of all levels

Grant Thomas

Sandwiched between the Bismarck Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, Lissenung Island is a hidden gem of Papua New Guinea. Pristine white-sand beaches lined with palm trees are fringed by some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs. The small, private island is accessed exclusively by boat from the nearest town, Kavieng, which is only a short flight from the capital, Port Moresby. Lissenung Island Resort has everything an ocean lover could ever dream of. Days are spent scuba diving and snorkeling around the surrounding reefs, immersing in cultural island tours, surfing empty waves or simply relaxing and soaking up the island life.

The owners of Lissenung Island Resort, Dietmar and Ange, are fully committed to the protection of the local marine environment, so much so that they have privately funded their very own turtle conservation project. Turtle numbers are on the decline in Papua New Guinea as a result of human consumption, overfishing, and pollution. Around the world, sea turtle eggs are often taken from their nests and sold in local markets as delicacies, novelties or even aphrodisiacs.