Dive deeper into the CUlture of PApUA NEw Guinea & Experience the incredible Annual Mask FEstival

 
 

You can expect:
- Busy Coastal Town Life
- Safe Comfortable Resort Accomodation
- Heart Racing Cultural Experiences
- Rabaul Sights



The Rabaul Mask Festival is a yearly gathering of tribes throughout PNG to showcase the masks, dancing, singing and drumming for each area. This showcase is unlike anything else and was a trip, maybe even life, highlight for Liv and Georgie on their adventures last year.

PNG is a cultural and spiritual cornucopia. Each region speaks a different language and follows unique cultural practices. A hallmark of this is cultural dress, elaborately created using natural fibres and textiles. The creations must be seen to be believed. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, witnessed by only a handful of tourists each year. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough! You’ll find us there, whether you’re coming or not! 

 
 
 
 

ITINERARY

6th July | Nusa Island Retreat to Rabaul
- Morning flight out of New Ireland to New Britain
- Morning spent at the bustling markets, lunch in town
- Relaxing afternoon back at accomodation
- Optional shore dive

7th | Rest Day
- Day off! Rest, relax, recoup 
OR
- Optional activities: 
Sunrise dolphin swim, Sunrise volcano hike, WW2 tour of Rabaul Village

8th | Opening Ceremony
- 4am Depart for the opening ceremony of the Mask Festival. 
- Breakfast at the festival. 
- Watch some dances from other tribes. 
- Back to the accommodation for lunch and a quiet afternoon. 
- Optional shore dive. 
- Final dinner!

9th | Fire Festival
- 8am Head to Mask Festival Day 2 
- Return as you wish, departure every 2hrs
- 4pm Evening Fire Festival 
*option to depart a day early

10th | Departure Day
- 6am depart Rabaul on morning flight
(please, only book the morning flight)

 

KOKOPO VILLAGE

Kokopo is the capital of East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea, it is the fourth largest city in the country. This is our home base for the Mask Festival.

NEW BRITAIN COASTLINE

Off the coast of New Britain you can experience great visibility, calm conditions and vibrant reef systems.

 
 


INCLUSIONS

  • 4 Nights Accommodation 

  • Transfers to and from the airport 

  • Festival entry 

  • Transport to and from the festival 

  • English speaking guide at the festival 

  • Daily breakfast 

  • Guided market tour 

  • Guided shore dives

EXCLUSIONS

  • Additional tours, volcano hike, dolphins, WW2 etc

  • Lunches & Dinners

  • Flights (STRONGLY recommend booking the earliest flight where possible)

INVESTMENT

$2200AUD

 
 
 

Meet the friendly market holders at Kokopo Market

It is truly spectacular celebrating authentic PNG crafts, food and fresh produce. It is the largest market in the entire province of the East New Britain and one of the largest in PNG.

Dawn at the mask festival…

The sun hasn’t risen yet, crowds of people bank along the shore line pushing for the best view. Slowly deep chants rise from out on the sea, we wait patiently as rustling leaves and feathers dance in front of us….

Surround yourself with the energy of this beautiful local community

Nothing quite prepared us for this buzz and a feeling you can’t capture via photographs.

The Fire Festival exhibits dance and costume

 
 
 

HOW TO BOOK

Choose this as an “add on’ when you book the group freedive expedition via the link below.

Please get in touch if you want to do the Mask Festival before the Freedive Expedition on starting on the 15th, or if you simply want to join us for the Mask Festival only!