Get off the beaten track to Rubio in New Ireland – Photo Gallery
Mar 5, 2010 Posted by World Surfaris
By Shaun Levings of World Surfaris after a recent visit to Rubio in February 2010.
If you want to escape your normal every day existence and experience a real surf adventure then Rubio Plantation Retreat is worth considering.
Your host Shane Clark (expat Hawaiian and one of the nicest guys you will meet, not too mention super keen surfer and adventurer) will pick you up from Kavieng in his Landcruiser Troop Carrier and you will drive approx. 3-4 hours to his little piece of paradise which is Rubio Island Retreat. You will get a sore arm from waving to the friendly locals as you travel down the Boluminski Highway.
Whilst at Rubio, you will be comfortable in your modest bungalow lodgings (with private facilities) and deck overlooking the bay and you will be well fed by the lovely local girls in the kitchen.
On a daily basis you may surf out front at the left and right or hike over the hill to the next bay to surf a nice left (you can actually paddle from Rubio also to here). Most days you will travel on a road trip to surf and explore this magnificent coastline. Stopping the truck on the side of the ride and hiking 100m through a clearing in the vegetation to view the wave out front. There are so many surf options from Rivermouths to Reef passes. Shane knows most of them although he still hasn’t surfed them all yet. You may get to name one however usually just name them after the nearest village.
No hardcore World-Class G-Land or Pipeline waves exist however the waves there are user friendly with good variety of lefts and rights and varying degrees of intensity from short sucky barrells to longer wally waves breaking in deep water. One thing is 100% guaranteed is NO CROWDS ! Infact you WILL be the only surfers in the region. With a maximum of 8 surfers at a time able to stay at Rubio and you can book the whole place out with 7 you are in for a surf adventure you will never forget.
The images below portray the surf, culture and scenery. Bookings now open for 2010/11 season!
Terry
I am Alex Hopper’s son
Paul Hopper
Hi All,
Its great reading your post on the history of Rubio, I am a local, I am from Karu, if any of you know Molis and Puan, I am their grand daughter. Lots of changes happening in Karu, a otherwise sleepy little village. the new American guy has brought alot of activities for the villages tho’, good to know the history.
I am the person who planted the coconut palms at Rubio in 1957 after I left school.
I also planted the cocoa between the palms once the palms were large enough to supply shade to the cocoa plants.
The fishing was very good indeed in Rubio Bay and we caught some large Mackeral,Trevally,Barracuda and Tuna as well as the odd shark.
We also ran a sawmill which was located on top of the hill ( going towards Kavieng ) on the lefthand side – our managers home was also on top of the hill looking out to Karu Island.
I am really pleased to see that the plantation is now being used as a tourist location.
Hi Guys, What a great site – This is incredible for me to read about all the surfing possibilities around Kavieng New Ireland. Having been an ex New Irelander who travelled & practically lived on the East Coast Highway (as it was then known)over a period of 8 years building up a transport business hauling copra, cocoa & goods from Kavieng to Namanatai & return regularly. Plus our company S W Thomas & Son was the first to introduce a daily bus service between the two towns which started around 1968.In those days travel for most of the population was mainly done by PMV’s ie utilities or trucks. Many of the older folk from the East Coast village’s would remember the Thomas & Son fleet of hire cars, taxis, trucks & buses based in Kavieng from the mid 60’s and 70’s. New Ireland is bilas ples tru!! Many happy memories are still with me today. All the Best for what looks like a dream come true for the progress & International recognition of the great surf & beautiful beaches & friendly locals that abounds around the New Ireland coastline & districts. Best Wishes for much success. Rubio use to be a great sawmill owned by the Needham Family along with Belik Plantation. I will pass on this site address to the family. Thank you for sharing – Happy for you to pass on my email to any old wantoks from that era – Em tasol, Tony Thomas – mi lukim yu behain!!