Rabaul - Clearance

Rabaul is an official Port of Entry.

It is very important that yachts follow the proper procedure for clearing into PNG through Rabaul. For full details on clearing into and out of PNG see Formalities.

For those wanting to check in to PNG here, it is recommended to email the appropriate documents to:

NCC@customs.gov.pg (who will forward them) or directly to:

Health/Quarantine
 - Peter J Tomadao
: pjtomadao@gmail.com

Customs - Jeffrey Owen: owemj@customs.gov.pg

ICA Immigrations - Robin Naiken: rnaiken@immigration.gov.pg

John Nungu: jnungu@immigration.gov.pg

Rabaul

Drop anchor just off the yacht club (it is to the right of the main wharf as you enter the harbor).  A local live-aboard sailor by the name of Rod will likely meet you.  Otherwise call "Rabaul Harbour Control" on VHF Channel 16 and they will advise you when to expect the Quarantine and Health officials.

All the officials (Health first) will come to the yacht club pontoon.  Collect them in your dinghy and take them to your boat.  Locals at the Yacht Club are happy to help with the clearance procedure, if necessary.

There is no visa-on-arrival facility in Papua New Guinea.  PNG travel visas, especially Visitor Visas, must be applied for online at the Immigration and Citizenship Authority website or at a Papua New Guinean Overseas Mission or Post. 

In most circumstances, you can expect to be issued a Visitor visa, which is valid for a single entry stay of sixty (60) days from the date of arrival.  (Cruisers who recently cleared in at Rabaul reported to Noonsite that they were able to obtain visas at the PNG High Commission in Honiara in the Solomon Islands very quickly at no charge.)

Kokopo

Current recommendations from cruisers are to check in from Kokopo due to the conditions in Rabaul.  Anchor off the Kokopo Beach Bungalows and officials will come from Rabaul.

Last updated:  January 2024