PNG Rabaul June July 2009

Arriving in Rabaul, we anchored in 10m of water very close to the beach beside the jetty crowded with people fishing. From there I called Port Control on VHF who asked me to clear in Rabaul. I was not interested to go there because the Tavurvur volcano is active spitting ashes in the air over Rabaul in SE winds.
Because they where busy clearing in 3 cargos, and ourselves having already cleared in PNG, we where told to go and see them on departure.

Left Rapopo Resort and Beach




We moved to Rapopo Resort Plantation 1.6 mile east from Kokopo and anchored next to the MV Barbarian who called us on arrival and invited us to join him.


We met Rod the owner of Barbarian, and two lovely ladies Daisy and Lillian who work on Barbarian.

Rod organizes dive charter and is familiar with the place, and much more.

Visit his web side at http://www.niuginidiving.com/.




We discovered the surrounding with Daisy. 15 minutes walk from the beach, there is a super market Papindo very well furbished. It’s also the bus stop to Kokopo. Take bus number 8 to go to town, he will drop you off at the market place, cost 70 Toea each.
On the way back you ask the driver to drop you off at sea view, its 200m from the place you left the dingy.

Next to the market are the post office, pharmacy and bank. ATM’s are available.

As usual, the market is color full and well furbished every day.

Other super markets offers (sell) you plenty of western goodies. Mostly coming from south; Australia.

There is a petrol station close to the beach. You can anchor the yacht before the apparent wreck in 5 to 10m depths coming from east. Don’t anchor in front of the petrol station there are sunken wrecks under, and get the fuel with the dingy.


Kokopo is a young city.


When the Tavurvur volcano erupted in 1994 it covered with ashes half of Rabaul.

With the heavy rain falls it collapsed lots the houses.

Since, administration moved to Kokopo, but Rabaul being a natural harbor, there are still activities going on there.

That’s why you must clear in Rabaul, but at departure you can go and see the authorities in Kokopo.



You can fill your gas bottle in Rabaul by Origin close to the waterfront. The people there are very friendly and helpful. It’s the third road on the right after the coconut mill. Take bus number 1 at the Kokopo’s market if you are anchored around Kokopo.