What to see in Papua New Guinea: 10 must-sees

Explore Ela Beach, Port Moresby's urban waterfront opening onto the Coral Sea, and combine a swim in its waters with a visit to the craft markets next to Ela Park. There, vendors offer carvings, baskets, and shell jewelry made by local communities, while canoes and families from the capital fill the shore as evening falls. It's the most accessible spot to experience the Papuan coast without leaving the city, with space to walk, buy directly from artisans, and grab a bite at nearby stalls before heading back downtown.

Sail to the Trobriand Islands, in Milne Bay Province, where the villages preserve their own traditions, such as the ritual kula exchange. Explore the coastal communities, look for the stilted yam houses, and talk with locals about their matrilineal way of life. Snorkel in clear waters, walk along pale-sand beaches fringed with palms, and watch sailing canoes anchored in tranquil lagoons, far from the usual tourist routes of the South Pacific.

Head to Wewak Beach, in East Sepik Province, where the sand along the Bismarck Sea holds visible remains of World War II. Walk the shoreline past bunker ruins and war relics, snorkel over the coral close to shore, and swim in calm waters. Military history and reef combine along a single stretch of coast, with the Pacific breeze and the laid-back feel of this coastal town in northern Papua New Guinea.

Stop before the gray cone of Tavurvur, the active volcano that keeps watch over the port of Rabaul from Simpson Harbour in East New Britain. Hike its steep trails across black ash and porous rock, and from the rim watch the fumaroles rising from the crater. Its 1994 eruption, together with that of Vulcan, buried Rabaul in ash and forced the provincial capital to move to Kokopo. Here the hardened lava, the steaming vents, and the smell of sulfur are reminders that the ground is still moving. Bring water and sturdy footwear, and set out early: the morning mist usually clears to reveal the volcano's best views.

Immerse yourself in Port Moresby and visit the National Museum, where masks, canoes, and drums tell the story of Papua New Guinea's more than 800 languages. Stroll along Ela Beach and head to the stilt village of Hanuabada, its houses rising on poles above the sea. Buy tropical fruit and wood carvings at the Boroko market, and climb up to Paga Hill for views of the bay. You'll find a capital where the traditions of the Papuan peoples coexist with modern buildings, constant traffic, and an intense daily life.

Explore Mount Wilhelm National Park, in Chimbu, and climb the highest peak in Melanesia: 4,509 meters where snow and glacier meet. Hike its high-mountain trails among alpine forests and lakes, go birdwatching for species like the birds of paradise, and soak up a land of exceptional biodiversity. The summit demands good fitness and acclimatization, but rewards you with views over the Papuan highlands and encounters with local communities who guide visitors along little-traveled routes.