A kiteboarding adventure in PNG’s Louisiade Archipelago
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The small islands in Papua New Guinea’s Louisiade Archipelago in Milne Bay Province are an idyllic base for kiteboarding.
There are sand cays that stretch for kilometres, vibrant coral reefs and worldclass fishing. Friendly locals wave as they sail past in their hand-crafted sailing canoes.
Flat-water kiting here is ideal because there is plenty of hip-deep water with a sand bottom, and there’s lots of wind.
In between kiteboarding sessions, there’s also good diving and snorkelling. Nights are spent by a fire on the beach and stargazing.
Flat-water kiting here is ideal because there is plenty of hip-deep water with a sand bottom, and there’s lots of wind.
Carving it up … kiteboarder Steph Neil cuts a fine line in the afternoon sun in the Louisiade Archipelago (this page and previous page).
Ready to launch ... with 28-degree water and a good wind at their back the kiteboarders are eager to get going early in the morning (this page); a fishing rod in hand and basic island shelter (opposite page); the kiteboarders nicknamed these steps to the water as the ‘steps to heaven’ (opposite page, far right).
Water world ... snorkelling in between kiteboard sessions (opposite page left); the same reef from above (opposite page right); free diving under the mother ship used by the kiteboarders (this page).
Dinner in hand ... Reece Crowther dived to about five metres to catch these two big crayfish, which were cooked on an open fire (this page); a kiteboarder at full blast (opposite page).