Exploring Sandaun Province
Thursday, 29 October 2020
A place of swaying palms, picturesque sunsets and lush rainforest, Sandaun Province is a truly untouched paradise that encapsulates all the best of Papua New Guinea.
Here, time slows, surf pounds, and culture remains firmly entrenched in the community, while tourism is yet to truly find its way to this westernmost province of PNG.
If you’re looking to venture well off the beaten path in a remote location of the South Pacific, here is our guide to exploring Sandaun Province, and just some of the adventures on offer.
A place of stunning sunsets
Sandaun takes its name from the stunning sunsets the region is known for. As the most western province of Papua New Guinea, it’s a place where the sun dips slowly each evening into the Bismarck Sea, the palm trees nodding their heads in admiration.
Literally pronounced sundown, the province was known as West Sepik until recently, but now the region has forged its own identity built on the sand, the surf, and the sea.
Sand, sea, surf and the Sepik
Sandaun owes its stunning beauty to its location and topography, but its growing reputation as a holiday gem can be attributed to its sand, sea, surf and the Sepik.
Since the 1980s, Lido, near Vanimo, has been enjoying growing recognition as a well-kept surfing secret. A playful right hander serves up near perfect swell almost all year round, while surfing culture directly benefits the community.
The small fee organised by the Vanimo Surf Area Management Plan (VSAMP) is channelled back into local community projects.
Around Vanimo and along the coastline, palm fringed beaches beckon, while pristine blue waters tantalise. This is a place here you can truly surrender to south pacific beauty in all its untouched glory.
Meanwhile, Sandaun is also home to the mighty Sepik River. The longest river in Papua New Guinea, the Sepik wends its way through Sandaun before travelling on through a series of further provinces to the sea.
On its journey, it is punctuated by different villages and communities, all of which have a tie with this river, which is often played out in unique arts and crafts.
Vanimo and Aitape
The capital Vanimo and the town of Aitape are two of the most notable townships of Sandaun.
Just 30km from the Indonesian border, Vanimo features welcoming locals, vibrant markets offering arts and crafts, and is surrounded by stunning beaches.
Meanwhile, Aitape offers an insight into PNG’s role in WWII. Initially established as a station by German colonists in 1905 and then later occupied by the Japanese during WWII, Aitape features some impressive relics of aircraft wrecks while a B-24 bomber rests outside the local high school.
About Paga Hill Estate
Paga Hill Estate is a world-class, master-planned estate in the heart of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The waterfront site is the first comprehensively planned multi-use development in Papua New Guinea to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike.
The all-inclusive development will include vibrant public spaces and waterfront promenade, luxury hotels, residential apartments, restaurants, retail, commercial space, a Trade, Exhibition & Cultural Centre, restoration of WWII relics, marina precinct and a nearby international cruise liner terminal.
