Things to do in Vanimo
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Surfing
One claim to fame that Vanimo does have is the best surf in PNG, and it's one of the primary reasons why people come to Vanimo. The surf is strictly seasonal, from October through April, when monsoon swells bring waves between 3ft and 6ft. Vanimo and around has excellent point breaks and beach breaks with consistently good surf. There's a local bunch of surfers known as the Lido Surf Club - an informal collective who show visiting surfers around in a banana boat out to the nearby island breaks.
They can even arrange accommodation in local villages. There's no surf-rage in PNG and the scene is just in its infancy. BYO boards.
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headland
There's a pleasant two-hour walk around the headland, but carry water and sun protection. People in the villages here don't get a lot of tourists or even a lot of local passers-by so be respectful as you enter an area and seek approval before moving on. There's good snorkelling offshore and the beaches are sensational, but ask before stripping down and plunging in.
Another good walk is west along the beach from the airport. After 40 minutes you come to a limestone headland draped with vines - wade around it to the beautiful beach on the other side. There's a rusting Japanese landing barge just offshore.
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Vanimo Forest Products
The Malaysian logging company Vanimo Forest Products is logging the province and there are business opportunities with cross-border trade. Hopes are high for development even though the Indonesian and Malaysian business people seem to have a disdain for the local service workers that is quite palpable and uncomfortable.
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Narimo Island
Narimo Island can be seen offshore from the Vanimo Beach Hotel. This is an excellent place for picnics and swimming. The hotel may be able to arrange a boat to take you there or else ask about boat hire at West Deco village near the main wharf on the other side of the peninsula.
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Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea
In February 2007 the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea held the national surf titles here and by all accounts some got 'axed by gnarly bombs in the green room' while others 'boosted some major, bitchin' air' - umm right.
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