Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# budget travelling + diving in PNG, possible ? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
swimswam 19:01 UTC 02 Jul 2012 | I'd like to go to PNG, solomon islands and the other islands around, can I find cheap diving operators over there or is everhting out of price ? Same question for visiting. Any returns from backpackers ? Addresses welcome. Thanks !! |
Laszlo 11:14 UTC 03 Jul 2012 | As a general rule, nothing is "cheap" in the South Pacific. PNG in particular can be pricey - the Solomons a bit better. Of course backpacking is still possible, but it will cost a lot more than in SE Asia. Depending on where and how you travel, in the cities it can also cost more than Australia, or it may cost a lot less in some rural areas. If budget is an issue, forget diving - or perhaps stick to the Solomons, and do your diving based in Gizo. As for "the other islands around", PNG's western neighbour Indonesia is certainly much cheaper, while eastwards, the cheapest Pacific island country is Fiji. | 1
ozziegiraffe 15:03 UTC 03 Jul 2012 | Solomon Islands doesn't really have designated "backpackers" accommodation. Church and village rest or transit houses, popular with the locals, are the best option. | 2
swimswam 08:12 UTC 09 Jul 2012 | Thanks for those infos, but I do find Gizos divings too expensive in my opinion. Isn't there cheaper than them ? Gotta be. | 3
Laszlo 08:42 UTC 09 Jul 2012 | Good luck. | 4
scubamom 18:14 UTC 07 Sep 2012 | You wont find cheap backpacker and dive set ups in PNG...impossible. Country is not set up for tourism and while the locals are LOVELY people and may ask you to stay in their homes...be very very careful. Its a dangerous country. Particularly for women travelling alone. Police corruption is rife. The diving is spectacular and worth every bit of hassle to get to but dont expect to do it cheaply...go to Sulawesi if you have a budget limit. | 5
swimswam 19:39 UTC 28 Nov 2012 | Already been to sulawesi, that's why I'd like to go and travel to PNG and especially on the east coast islands. Any info on that ? | 6
ozziegiraffe 01:23 UTC 29 Nov 2012 | It is possible to do dives based in Honiara, Solomon Islands which has good value accommodation, provided you bok early enough. (You would also not have to fork out air fares to Gizo). However, as I am not a diver, I an't make specific recommendations. Check the official Visitors bureau website for more information. St Agnes (all en-suite rooms) and Chester (both en suite and shared facilities) both have communal kitchens, and are my preferred accommodation. | 7