New Ireland

New Ireland is long thin island close to New Britain in the heart of the Bismarck Sea. Its sleepy capital, Kavieng is the largest town on the island with a population of around 18,000 and scenically positioned on the northern tip of the island overlooking Balgai Bay. The town welcomes a steady stream of tourists intent on seeking a quiet island idyll, treks in the surrounding countryside, or access to some of the wonderful dive sites in the vicinity. In the centre of the island Namatanai is a small town with a population of around 1300 people. Despite its small size it is the second largest urban area on New Ireland and offers beachside accommodation and access to snorkelling and diving spots. New Ireland is famous for its birdlife and visitors come from around the world to enjoy the excellent birding. Namatanai is one of the best places on the island to see endemic species. As with many destinations in PNG, Namatanai has a number of Second World War stories and relics. It is also famous for the Namatanai Mask Festival which takes place every August.