Tawali Resort is located in a secluded area of Milne Bay amongst local fishing villages and accessible only by boat. Built on a limestone bluff eighty feet above the water, Tawali offers guests a private retreat in which to enjoy the wonders of PNG. Tawali was constructed by local craftsmen and you will find beautifully carved totems and woodwork in the spacious main lodge and throughout the resort. Covered walkways connect guest bungalows, which are complete with private balconies overlooking Hoia Bay. The air-conditioned bungalows are spacious with two queen beds and rosewood interiors that include desks, closets and lounge areas. Each room has coffee making facilities. Bathrooms are modern, completely tiled and have solar heated water. Tawali Resort overlooks Milne Bay’s reef-fringed, deep blue water and from this spectacular lookout you can watch the resident pod of dolphins that visits most days.
Besides the beautiful main dining room guests are able to dine outside on the veranda overlooking the rainforest. The dining room features 18 foot carved totems, beautiful hand-crafted wood details and a spectacular wall containing a collection of rare bottles found on dives in Samurai Bay. Three buffet style meals are served daily. Snacks, juices, coffee and tea throughout the day are included. Canned sodas and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the Tawali bar.
Tawali Resort offers daily diving on the spectacular reefs of Milne Bay.
Diving in Milne Bay
Tawali Resort is perfectly placed to enjoy the legendary diving of Milne Bay. Milne Bay was where diving started in PNG and today many still believe it possesses the best macro diving in PNG and maybe the world. Highlight dive sites include Lauadi and Cobb’s Cliff both of which can deliver Mantas and Hammerheads, combined with exceptional Macro life such as Blue Ribbon Eels, Nudibranchs, Mantis Shrimps, Mandarinfish, Frogfish, Seahorses, Ghost Pipefish, Cockatoo Waspfish, Leaf Scorpionfish, Rhinopious and Elegant Fire Gobys. Observation Point is a true rubble dive. Here, sand slopes host Snake Eels, Stargazers, Pipefish, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Mimic Octopus, Spanish Dancers, Fire urchins with Coleman Shrimp and the Bugs Bunny Scorpionfish.
Tawali Resort offers a great selection of land tours.
Skull Cave and Waterfall Tour: The skull caves are one of the “tourist attractions” of Milne Bay and a visit to them, together with a side trip to the nearby village and waterfall is a good way to spend a non-diving afternoon. The skull cave is underground and reached using a wooden stairway constructed by the local villages. After the skull cave, local guides will take you on a forty minute hike up through the lush forest to beautiful waterfalls where you can take a break for a snack and dip in the pool before heading down.
Dei Dei Hot Spring Tour: The Dei Dei Hot Spring on Fergusson Island is a sight to marvel, with a certain mystical twist. Visitors are awed by nature’s force, and for those who do not believe in “black magic”, they return a little convinced that there could be something out there. A whole day guided trip that includes a lunch and other selected activities.
Canoe Making Demonstration Tour: Showcasing the skill and craftsmanship and the rich history of boat making.
Bird Watching Tour: Milne Bay is home to the Birds of Paradise!
Mumu Traditional Cooking Demonstration: Mumu is an earth oven that operates by heating stones which are afterward put or arranged around the food, covered with banana leaves firmly to prevent steam to escape during the process of cooking. The food usually consists of sweet potatoes, yams, bananas, taro, and chicken or pork.
Hiking Tawali: Take guided bush walks into the rainforest or walk along the coast through local villages. There is even an extended day hike across the mountain ridge rising behind the resort, where you can view the entire coastline and the dense rainforest canopy. Take a pair of binoculars to view the cockatoos, hornbills and parrots along the way.
