Kavieng - Clearance
Kavieng is a Port of Entry. See Papua New Guinea Clearance Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of the country.
Clearance in Kavieng
This is a safer destination than Rabaul for clearing into or out of the country. Officials in Kavieng are reported to be very helpful and friendly and clearance here is a simple process. There are only two places to visit:
- First the Quarantine office (walking distance from the government dock where your dinghy is safe);
- Then the Customs/Immigration office (nestled on the 2nd floor in between two mini-marts in town) where your passports are stamped to start your e-visa (which must be obtained before departing from your previous country and costing less than US$50/pp).
Anyone planning to visit Kavieng by boat is asked to send their pre-arrival form at least 48 hours in advance – officials are happy to deal with visiting sailors directly by email. This will often help speed up formalities as it allows them to prepare the necessary paperwork in advance.
Documents required on arrival include: Inward Clearance (outward clearance from last port), passports, general declaration, crew list and port call list.
On departure, ensure you have clearance papers for your next port (intra-port clearance). If you are leaving PNG from Kavieng, you will need this document or risk a rather large fine for non-compliance. For instance, if you intend to enter the country in Rabaul and leave from Kavieng, you would have to get an intra-port clearance from Rabaul to Kavieng. See these cruiser reports for helpful information:
- Papua New Guinea: Cruising the North Eastern Coast
- PNG – Do Your Homework for an Amazing Experience.
Last updated: May 2025
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Related to following destinations: Kavieng, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
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Posted on behalf of Andrew of SY Yawana:
I was in Kavieng & New Hanover on Dec 15 – to Feb. 16 and enjoyed my time there very much. Kavieng is a friendly town, no real security issues and an excellent anchorage in front of the Nusalik resort. Clearing in was a simple affair after my experiences in Indonesia.
The villagers on Nusalik island where the resort is located were very friendly and keen to encourage yachts to visit. I stayed at the resort a few nights and they provided a boy to sleep on my boat at night as additional security.
The banks in Kavieng are BSP and Westpac and they both have ATMs. There are numerous trade stores that are well stocked but quite expensive as most goods are shipped up from Australia. Fuel is easily purchased from the depot or can be arranged through the Nusa Resort. Freshwater may be a problem during the dry months.
Posted on behalf of Graeme Ward:
Some information on Emirau Island – 70nm NW of Kavieng. Great welcoming village, happy to have yachts, no shops, very willing to trade. Secure anchorage except in a strong Southerly. Anchor between Emirau Island and Elomusao Island in about 10m.
The passage to the North is not navigable and beware of a reef in the centre of the pass in from the South. Keep closer to the main island. Navionics and C Map charts are out by about 1nm+.
There is an old WW2 base in the North, although we never went there.
Rather remote, one tale the locals told us, was of 3 fishermen who were lost at sea for 3 and 1/2 months – 2 survived and were picked up at the Gilbert Islands!