Visit Date: December 2008

Settled amongst a tropical garden setting with its own beachfront, Kabaira Dive Resort caters for individuals and small groups. This is a place to come and relax and unwind, to take in the ambience, it is not a place to come if you like commercialism. It truly is a small slice of paradise.

Kabaira has a true family atmosphere with all the staff being very friendly, fun and helpful. The resort is run by young enthusiastic owners Stephen and Marsha. Stephen is a very competent Dive Master and boat handler while Marsha manages the accommodation and restaurant.

Accomodation can be in one of the two bungalows or in the Guesthouse which has four rooms. Although fairly basic the accommodation is comfortable. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the tariff and are all smorgasbord style. Also included when diving the daily fresh baked cake and fresh fruit.

Kabaira is suitable for divers and non-divers alike. The water is warm all year, ranging from 26 to 30C and invariably crystal clear.

For the diver a variety of diving is offered, from shipwrecks, aircraft and coral reefs. Some of the biggest masses of pristine table corals can be found in the area, along with the wonderful array of colourful tropical fish and tiny critters such as pigmy seahorses and soft coral crabs (Christmas tree crabs as Stephen likes to refer to them). Usually two dives are undertaken before lunch, departing around 8am. Dives are undertaken from the comfortable covered 'banan boats' which have good reliable, well serviced engines.  Shore dives can be done any time at no charge when paying for the day dive package.

For those who are not divers there are opportunities for safe swimming and snorkelling on the house reef; trekking through jungle vegetation or even on the many extinct volcanoes, treks from a couple of hours to a full day can be arranged.

Ask about any local cultural events and take a trip to one of the markets in the towns of Rabaul or Kopopo. Other markets selling fresh fruit and vegetable can be found alongside the roads to both of these towns.

Rabaul has a rich history including occupation by the Dutch, Germans and Japanese during WW1 and WW!! Visit the tunnels dug by prisoners of the Japanese, which were used to storage supplies and barges, one particular tunnel still has approximately ten barges stored in it. At the Blue Lagoon on the road between Rabaul and Kopopo one can see many of the tunnels, view the crane for lifting the barges out of the water and get a great view of the active Tuvuvur volcano - quite spectacular at night with the bright red rocks flying out of it.

Fishing, picnics and camping on remote islands can also be organised.