New Ireland is a long, narrow island off the northeast coast of Papua New Guinea, covered with sleepy villages and copra plantations. The Dutch spotted the island in the 1500s, but it was not until nearly 300 years later that the British explorer William Dampier realised it was separate from the mainland.
The east coast is the nicest stretch to visit, with picturesque villages strung along the shore. Kavieng, the provincial capital at the island's northern tip, has a population of around 5,000 and is the main base for visitors. The waters around Kavieng are excellent for scuba diving — wrecks from the Second World War and pristine coral reefs draw divers from across the Pacific. Banana boats from Kavieng head out to New Hanover and surrounding islands, and Lisinung Island is just 15 minutes away by boat for those looking for a quiet escape.
