Visitng and Surfing Shagur and Kragur, East Sepik Province

I posted information on where to stay on Kairiru Island, offshore from Wewak, East Sepik Province, several months ago. I’ve been back on Kairiru since then and have updated contact and other information.

You can contact Polen Guest House, in Shagur Village, on the highly picturesque seaward side of Kairiru, by mail at:

Polen Guest House
Box 817
Wewak, East Sepik Province
Papua New Guinea

By phone (PNG country code is 675), contact:
Rebecca Golpak at 76520743 (cell); 8562813 (office, Wewak Telecom); or 8563258 (home);
Graham Lynch at 8562755 (phone) or 8562753 (fax); or,
Wolfy Kalem, Manager at 71235278

The guest house is built and operates virtually entirely with local materials and technology. It provides breezy and comfortable accommodations (mosquito free by virtue of the location), excellent views, delicious local food (including numerous fresh tropical fruits), and abundant naturally pure water for drinking and bathing. Shagur and the nearby villages of Bou and Kragur offer many opportunities to buy striking carvings in distinctive Kairiru styles directly from the artists and hear local music, both traditional and contemporary. The excursions on the island to places of great natural beauty and historical interest (Kairiru was the sight of major WWII fighting) are worth every drop of sweat (this is a steep volcanic island). The guest house also offers excursions by boat to nearby islands and beaches. A double room and three good meals cost about $100 (U.S.)/day. Family rates are lower. You can arrange sea transport to and from Wewak with the guest house, or – every Tuesday and Friday – you can find boats at the Wewak beach (just across the beach road from the post office) going to Shagur Village or neighboring Kragur Village that will gladly take you as a passenger for about $10 or $15 (U.S.) per head, with no extra charge for sharing the route with dolphins and flying fish.

Kragur Village offers good, long waves several months of the year, inexpensive accommodations with villagers, and what may be the best freshwater bathing pools in all of Papua New Guinea. Members of the Kragur Surf Club - many of whom use wooden boards they carve themselves - will be glad to see you and show you the best local surfing spots. For details on surf, transport, and accommodations write:

Philip Numbos
P.O. Box 826
Wewak, East Sepik Province
Papua New Guinea

Chief Alois Kitok of Kragur Village also will provide those traveling light with food and a place to sleep at his home near the edge of the cliff above the sea on which Kragur sits. You can write to him at:

Chief Alois Kitok
Kragur Village, Kairiru Island
c/o Patrick Beka
Wewak Open Electorate
P.O. Box 654
Wewak, East Sepik Province
Papua New Guinea

Again, to get to Kragur inexpensively you can find boats at the Wewak beach (just across the beach road from the post office) going to Kragur Village or neighboring Shagur Village that will gladly take you as a passenger for about $10 or $15 (U.S.) on Tuesdays and Fridays.