Activities in Central, Oro & Milne Bay Provinces
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diving
Even if you don't climb the hill, you simply must go snorkelling or diving around the rotting piers of the Samarai Island Wharf, which has become a world-famous muck-diving site. The marine life is incredible and as you drift carefully between the piers you'll be surrounded by schools of brightly coloured fish. Below them, pipefish and various odd nudibranchs can be seen.
The bottom is also littered with the detritus of history, but don't be tempted to 'rescue' anything more than the rubbish. Be sure to bring a snorkel and mask.
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trekking
There is a network of tracks in the area ideal for trekking. Many follow the ria around the coast. Other tracks can be quite difficult; you must be fit. Tufi Dive Resort can arrange a guide and village stays, or you could take your chances and ask around yourself. The villages and the resort can arrange boats to pick you up at various locations at the end of your walk.
Orchids, birds and butterflies can also been seen in the surrounding jungles and again, Tufi Dive Resort can arrange guides to view these.
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Diving
Diving is one of Tufi's great attractions; there is consistent 30m-plus visibility and one diver we met said 'there are more fish than water out there'. Maloway, Cyclone Reef and Marion Reef are memorable, and the muck diving under Tufi wharf is exceptional. Nearby are some WWII ships easily accessible in shallow water, while the famous B17 'Black Jack' bomber is down the coast. For a full list of dives, with pictures, see www.tufidive.com/diving.html.
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Milne Bay Game Fishing Club
The well-organised Milne Bay Game Fishing Club can advise on boats and is happy to find some gear for you, particularly during one of the regular competitions or the annual Milne Bay Classic, which takes place on the first weekend of December.
For the sports fisherman, Milne Bay has a number of game fish worth trolling, jigging and casting for - giant marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, mackerel, barramundi and the Papuan black bass.
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Diving
Alotau has some incredible diving - along the north coast, within the bay and around the islands. Unfortunately there are no longer any diving operators based in Alotau itself. Until another tender starts up, the only way to see some of these incredible seascapes is to travel to Tawali Resort, 1½ hours up the coast. Day trips to Tawali Resort can be arranged through the Milne Bay Tourist Bureau.
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Driftwood fishing safaris
Operating from a newly built boutique hotel, Driftwood offers both saltwater and freshwater fishing safaris using quality Shimano equipment in a variety of boats at a range of prices.
For the sports fisherman, Milne Bay has a number of game fish worth trolling, jigging and casting for - giant marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dogtooth tuna, mackerel, barramundi and the Papuan black bass.
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Tawali Resort diving
Alotau has some incredible diving - along the north coast, within the bay and around the islands. Unfortunately there are no longer any diving operators based in Alotau itself. Until another tender starts up, the only way to see some of these incredible seascapes is to travel to Tawali Resort, 1½ hours up the coast. Day trips to Tawali Resort can be arranged through Napatana Lodge.
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snorkelling
Esa'ala, the district headquarters, is at the entrance to the spectacular Dobu Passage. It's a tiny place, with a couple of stores, a market and a trade store. A reef just offshore offers excellent snorkelling. Snorkelling around the tiny islands of Emanalo, Autoyou and Touwe is particularly rewarding because of the extremely high biodiversity found in these waters.
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Milne Bay Magic Tours
Offers a range of tours including a WWII tour of the Battle of Milne Bay and a creek bed filled with abandoned Japanese landing craft. There are also tours of local bat caves and trips to Samarai and Kwato Islands. Snorkelling gear can be rented here for around K10.
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trekking tours
Mt Lamington has been fairly calm since its last eruption in 1951 and keen bushwalkers can climb it today. The Oro Guesthouse and Birdwing Butterfly Lodge can provide information and arrange guides, and Ecotourism Melanesia has trekking tours around Mt Lamington.
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Education Milne Bay
Local and international groups contact these former school teachers to organise outdoor and cultural programmes. Generally such tours focus on environmental and community development utilising their impressive Wanigili centre.
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Horseriding
It's possible to ride horses through the oil palm plantations on the outskirts of town; contact Ken Fitzgerald if you are keen, although he can be notoriously difficult to get hold of.
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Marlin 1 Dive Charter Boats
From time to time, dive charter boats are based in Alotau, including the Marlin 1 dive charter boats, a 50ft vessel specialising in research and hydrographic survey charters.
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Island Adventure Tours
Operates a glass-bottomed boat and a basic guesthouse east of Alotau at Divinai village. Its office is based in the mustard-coloured house near Education Milne Bay.
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fishing
Local villages can provide outrigger canoes (the standard form of transport) if you want to go fishing, and the dive resort's dive boat also does fishing trips.
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MV Golden Dawn dive charter boats
From time to time, dive charter boats are based in Alotau, including the MV Golden Dawn dive charter boats.
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Telita Dive Charter Boat
From time to time, dive charter boats are based in Alotau, including the 10-berth Telita dive charter boats.
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