About PNG Frontier Surfaris

The PNG Surfaris shoudl be on the top of this list for any surfer that is seeking uncrowded waves in a remote paradise. PNG Surfaris offers an exceptional experience. Amazing food, super friendly crew, amazing hosts and an endless supply of remote and uncrowded surf that will cement PNG Surfaris as the best Surf trip you ever had. 

Check out a Coastalwatch.com for an article featuring World Surfaris team rider Blake Wilson
 
About PNG Surfaris  
Solidly built, this spacious 23 metre charter vessel has been refitted to ensure the absolute comfort and functionality for the ultimate uncrowded surf charter experience in the perfection of tropical PNG. Providing fantastic service is a top priority for PNG's most experienced duo in surf exploration with Captain Andrew Rigby and wife Jude. Together with their experienced crew, they aim to maintain and expand on the great hospitality & PNG experience they have provided over the past three years of surf charters.
Built to survey the super sea worthy PNG Explorer provides air conditioned comfort, a must have in the tropical climate of Papua New Guinea. The large shaded deck space allows ample room for outdoor relaxing, dining & board storage. Not forgetting the amazing cuisine ranging from locally caught shellfish and fish to locally reared beef.  Accompanied by a selection of Aussie beers & wines not forgetting the local favourite – SP! 
Enjoy the flexibility of being on a boat and the knowledge of your experienced skipper/surf guide Andrew Rigby, who will always take you to the best possible locations. Surf waves discovered only in the past two years, with no crowds and only your mates to see you get barrelled.
Imagine ... you arrive at the next island for another spectacular sunrise and jump straight into the speed boat for a quick ride to the closest quality wave. Back on board after an early surf for an awesome cooked brekkie to set you up for another day of surf and adventures in a tropical paradise.   

Click image for Scenery Gallery

Click image for Scenery Gallery

Click image for Scenery Gallery

Click image for Scenery Gallery

Power couple Andrew and Jude Rigby have been exploring the region for years and are super keen on surf exploration and intent on offering a high standard of hospitality and an unforgettable PNG experience. The trip explores any number of breaks throughout PNG and you will experience a true sense of exploration and never a crowd. 
The PNG Explorer has six spacious cabins set up as four twin berths and two single doubles maintained at a perfect temperature with a well thought out ventilation & air conditioning system. Enjoy a hot shower in one of two separate shower rooms. 
Spread out in the ‘house’ sized lounge hosting a large flat screen with DVD player and cranking sound system. Alternatively relax and read from our library of popular books and magazines.  
The huge upper deck on the Explorer is a great spot for lounging on one of the many day beds. It’s also the main dining area onboard, which is a perfect location for relaxing. Grab a drink from the well stocked icy cold beer fridge to help you chill near the large barbeque while listening to the cranking outdoor sound system.
The lower “surf” deck is perfectly designed and set up for a tropical surfer, consisting of a board preparation table and padded alloy board racks for thirty surfboards. The large duckboard at water level is accompanied with aluminium dive ladder which boasts an underwater platform so you can easily access the mighty explorer even from the water.
To ensure fast and safe transfers to the breaks the PNG explorer runs two tenders. A 24 foot tender and a 23 foot banana boat. Both tenders have all the necessary safety equipment, alloy board racks and dive ladders for easy water to tender access.

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Your hosts

PNG Frontier Surfaris is operated by Andrew and Jude Rigby who have been living and navigating in PNG waters for over two years.
Andrew has many years of experience on the water and is a highly competent and qualified skipper and engineer. He is previously a yacht owner, as well as having years of experience aboard the Rigby family’s numerous professional fishing and charter vessels in Port Philip Bay and Bass Strait. Most importantly, Andrew is a passionate surfer of 17 years, growing up on the Surf Coast of Victoria; he is now fulfilling a lifelong ambition - to take people surfing!
Jude is from Northern Ireland and her background is in evironmental protection and she has many years experience in hospitality and tourism as a hostess on boats in France and Australia. This has given her the credentials for a high standard of guest care and to ensure your daily menu has an inviting selection of locally inspired and western cuisine.
Andrew and Jude first realised the potential of the waves in this area in April 2005. Later that year, as the swell arrived, Andrew was able to surf the waves for the first time. Locals were amazed as Andrew surfed the “si brukim” (breaking sea) standing on foam and fibreglass. This was obvious by the crowds that gathered to watch and metered by their reaction as he disappeared into the wave (a 4 ft right-hander) and charged out the other end. That was their first barrel on this island and Andrew's right to name the break.
Since this time we have been able to document the consistency of these waves and discover many more. We are the first to do this in many of the islands and we are keen to share this place with other surfers, whilst still up keeping the relative secrecy, as there are few unsurfed frontiers such as this left in the world.
As a business PNG Frontier Surfaris endeavours to promote a sustainable form of tourism which is low impact on the environment and beneficial to the local communities. We would like to learn from the mistakes of other surf destinations by restricting the number of surfers, adopting a surf management plan that is unique to this country and developed under principles of The Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea (SAPNG). 
 

Click image for Boat Gallery

Click image for Boat Gallery

Click image for Boat Gallery

Click image for Boat Gallery

Specifications
23 metre steel vessel Built to USL Code 2B for 12 pax plus crew to 200 miles offshore
Current safety and survey certificates
Water capacity – de-salinator plus 9000 litres water storage
Fuel capacity - 40,000 litres
Cruising speed - 9 knots
Main engine - 3412 twin turbo caterpillar
Aux engine- 4 cylinder caterpillar with 100 kva alt, 4 cylinder Hino with 40 kva
Features
Air-conditioned accommodation for 12 guests in four single/double cabins plus two twin cabins
3 hot/cold showers plus duckboard showers
3 toilets
Flat screen TV with DVD & entertainment system with video/camera and IPOD plug in facilities
Email facility - send/receive
Sat phone
Large dive deck/duck board for easier water to tender access
Large lower deck space for board preparation & board storage.
Comfortable upper & lower deck day beds for relaxing
 
Equipment
1x 24 foot tender (high speed) with 2 * 50 H.P tohatsu
1x 23 foot tender with 50 H.P tohatsu
2x kayaks
1x stand-up paddle board plus 1 mal
6x Shimano TLD 25 game rigs plus egg beaters
14 Dive tanks, weights for 14 divers BC’s and regs available, 12 mask/snorkel sets.
Fast compressor refill system for up to five dives per day if desired 

Click image for Facility Gallery

Click image for Facility Gallery

Click image for Facility Gallery

Click image for Facility Gallery

Food and drink 
All food is prepared by your western hostess and chef. Each dish is freshly made, inspired by local cuisine and suitable for Western tastes. Any special dietary requests/allergies can be catered for, just let us know well in advance of departure.
The catering onboard comes from a modern gallery with the lot! Enjoy a latte along with your poached eggs then watch the sunset as you prepare to feast on fresh Lobster or tender roast lamb on surf & turf night. The delicacies onboard will dazzle the tastebuds of the most discerning gourmet traveller.
Breakfast
Experience PNG's finest Gorokan coffee or choose from a variety of teas. Fresh fruit smoothies or fresh fruit. Toast and/or pancakes and a cooked breakfast of eggs and bacon will be provided on request and during more leisurely mornings.
Lunch
A range of sandwiches and toasties, salads and omelettes will be available dependent on timings and your preferences.
Dinner
Catch of the day - fish, lobster or mud crab or a selection of meat and vegetarian dishes.
Snacks
Fresh fruit – sugar bananas, pineapples and paw paw in abundance.
Sweet baked coconut and banana cakes and other popular local delicacies. "Sundowner" snacks of chips, peanuts, fresh sashimi, the skipper’s favourite fish bites … and many more.
Drinks
Whether in the dory or onboard "PNG Explorer" we will provide bottled drinking water and a ration of soft drinks per person. Similarly, we have an ample beer allowance per person. If exceeded (it's unlikely) more is available to purchase at local prices.  
 
Health and Safety
The water on board is fine for drinking however we understand that guests may be wary and we also provide bottled water to drink.
PNG does have malarial mosquitoes so we recommend you take anti-malarial medication for the duration of your stay in PNG and also bring effective mosquito repellents. Since the "PNG Explorer" is air conditioned there isn’t much risk whilst on board, but risk is increased if walking on the island near fresh water areas.
Medi-vac insurance is mandatory for all passengers. We have two fully equipped first aid kits onboard (both your hosts are senior first aiders plus crew are CPR trained). We have phone contact with a local doctor and, if required, a direct steam back to the local hospital.
 
Locals and language
The local people in Kavieng and the islands speak some English but mostly "tok Pisin". Languages vary from village to village as they have their individual "tok place". Our crew includes someone local to the area, so they can communicate in the local dialect.
 
Other activities
Snorkelling
Explore the reefy shallows and appreciate the diverse coral reef and colourful variety of tropical fish, crustaceans and anemones.
Fishing
Whether trawling as we steam in "PNG Explorer" or from the dory, there are plenty of fishing opportunities. Our local crew will ensure you are taken to the best spots with a good chance of nailing that night’s dinner!
Culture
Visit the islands, meet the locals, see where they live, worship and learn. Be guided around their island, appreciate the tropical vegetation and enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural spring water holes. Visit a secluded beach, home to many turtles. Also see amazing cultural dances lit by fire torches ... an amazing experience! 
 

Click image for Surf Gallery

Click image for Surf Gallery

Click image for Surf Gallery

Click image for Surf Gallery

The Surf  
Written by Captain Andrew Rigby of PNG Surfaris:  The surf season for our area of operation in Papua New Guinea is from late October to April. This is taking advantage of the Northern Hemisphere swells coming from the northwest to northeast directions. During this period the wind is predominately from the N/NW. The surf generally ranges from 3-4ft; bigger swells see it at 5-6ft. Here is a run down of just a few of the hidden gems up here ... Jump aboard and we’ll take you there.
Senta Pass
Extremely fast and hollow left. Goofy footers only, unless you really rip. One tube recorded at 11 seconds, followed by a trip to the Haus Sik (hospital). Get the picture?!!!
Malili
A long & playful, long workable wall. It’s a mellower option on the larger days, and good for all abilities.
Vala Vala
A right-hand reef pass close to shore, with a flat weed-covered reef, and a double bowl section. Very consistent break – swell magnet for the area.
Korongai (also known as Gas Chambers)
A slab reef located in the entrance to a bay, which breaks best to the right. Extremely hollow in both directions, but only for 25 metres. Paddle, pull in, grab the rail, then get spat out. A four second ride that is a guaranteed cover-up.
Click here to view PNG charters surf gallery
Naikasau (also known as Outer Kiddies)
A fast playful right, breaking off a beautiful point on an island. Short and shallow, but not too fast, just a lot of fun.
Lovongai Right
A peeling right-hander, up to a 100-yard ride, with a nice consistent wall, that just keeps pulling up in front of you. Very beautiful location.
Anselim’s Reef
Not frequently surfed, but sheltered in an easterly wind. Needs quite a bit of swell before it kicks in. Outer island location.
Drain Pipe
Needs solid swell, very hollow crazy right. Excellent cover-up potential.
Two Trees
It’s a very reliable, barreling right-hander with a few sections. Good for all abilities
 
Detailed surf report below
Optimum surf conditions are;
Swell: Any type of Nth
Wind: Any type of Westerly

How To Book

World Surfaris are the market leader in packaged surfing holidays. Our highly experienced travel consultants can arrange every aspect of your surfing trip including flights and travel insurance. To streamline the booking process it is best to start by using the check prices button, then simply select the dates for your trip and our system will email you a realtime Quick Quote. No strings attached.
From there you can keep browsing our range for other options or continue the simple online enquiry process. Alternatively you can phone our office to discuss your surfing trip directly and ask any questions you may have regarding your itinerary. Our friendly consultants are standing by to assist with your travel plans.