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Vanimo, the capital of Sandaun Province, sits on a neat little peninsula with beautiful beaches on either side. A pleasant walk around the headland brings the snorkelling enthusiast to several good spots. To the west, wade past vine draped limestone headlands to reach the final resting place of a rusted Japanese landing barge.
Vanimo, 30 kilometres from the Indonesian border is PNG's entry port from Jayapura in Irian Jaya (formerly West Papua). This area of the world has seen little development in international tourism, other than visitors enroute from Irian Jaya to other parts of Papua New Guinea, or the intrepid traveller or surfer in search of the perfect wave.
Superb beaches west of Vanimo, towards Wutung, attract surf board riders from PNG and overseas during the months of September to January. The 260 kilometre shoreline is pounded by heavy seas caused by the blustery north west winds during December to March. However safe all-year round anchorage can be had in Vanimo. Several little islands lie offshore from the town of Aitape, the only other town in the Sandaun Province.
Most of tiny Vanimo’s services, including an
Indonesian Consulate, ph (675) 856 1371, are located on the flat land at the
base of the headland overlooking the harbour. Excellent swimming beaches lie on
either side of the headland. Narimo Island lies offshore and is good for
swimming and picnicking but take food and water. Check with your hotel or hire a
boat from West Deco village near the main wharf.
Aitape: Reached by boat
from Vanimo or rough road from Wewak, Aitape was once a German station and later
used by the Japanese during World War II. Tadji Airstrip still has aircraft
wreckage from the war. A B-24 bomber stands outside Aitape High School between
the airstrip and town.
Aitape was
established as a station by the Germans in 1905 and was occupied by the Japanese
during World War 2. Bits of aircraft wreckage can be found near the wartime
Tadji airstrip and a war memorial stands nearby.
The headwaters of the Sepik
River are in Sandaun Province. Here the river narrows into dense, mountainous
country and only small boats can navigate upstream from the village of Ambunti.
There are no roads in the Upper Sepik and much of the province is covered in
rainforest.
Telefomin & Oksapmin:
These remote stations are more easily reached by air from Tari in Southern
Highlands Province. The area is rugged with spectacular valleys. Caves in the
Okspamin Valley can be reached with guides.
The villages here are known
for their specialist religious cults. The people of Maio and Yessan have a yam
cult and the isolated villages of Swagup is the home of the insect people, whose
art form incorporates the figures of the sago beetle, dragonfly, praying mantis
and other insects.
Among the distinctive
artifacts from Sandaun are painted canoes of Sissano Lagoon and large shields
from the Telefomin district. The shields have broad zigzag, spiral or V designs
that represent their ancestors bodies.
Things to do
Walking: A circuit of the headland at Vanimo is pleasant or go west past the airport to a vine-draped headland. You can wade around to a beautiful beach.Surfing: Lido Village, 8km west of Vanimo, has a good surf beach and a guesthouse catering for surfers. They hire surfboards and bicycles. Aitape also has surf beaches and accommodation.
Visit the Indonesian border: Superb beaches, lagoons, views and picturesque villages can be seen along the way, although the border is not open to tourists.
For more information on Sandaun Province and
contact details please contact Division of Commerce, Tourism Officer Ph: (675)
857 1251 Ph/Fax: (675) 857 1384
Click here to view accommodation listing in
the Sandaun Province
