Port information & tips for Sepik River
The Sepik River in Papua New Guinea is one of the most pristine and fascinating expedition destinations in the world. This mystical river landscape impresses with dense rainforest, vibrant traditions, and a deep connection to nature that immediately captivates travelers. Cultural highlights include the imposing spirit houses (Haus Tambaran), the artistic wood carvings in the village of Angoram, and the vast marshlands of the Chambri Lakes. As the region preserves its original character, access is usually via Zodiac landing directly on the shore or through the port of Wewak. The Wewak Main Wharf serves as the central mooring point, from which the city center and the branching waterways of the Sepik are easily accessible thanks to local boat connections, offering authentic insights into life along the great river.
Arrival & Departure
Getting around
Highlights & Districts
Useful tips
Returning to the ship
The Sepik River in Papua New Guinea is a destination for expedition cruises and does not offer conventional cruise terminals. Arrival requires a multi-stage journey, typically via international flights followed by domestic connections and local transfers. Due to the remoteness, detailed travel planning with appropriate pre-cruise stays is crucial.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region usually involves a long-haul flight to Port Moresby (POM), the international airport of Papua New Guinea. From there, Air Niugini operates regular direct flights to Boram Airport (WWK) in Wewak, the main regional gateway to the Sepik region. The flight from Port Moresby to Wewak takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours and covers a distance of around 760 kilometers. For specific river cruises, such as on the "Sepik Spirit", charter flights to smaller airstrips like Karawari (KRJ) may also be necessary, which often depart from highland lodges such as Mount Hagen.
Transfer & Shuttle
After arrival at Wewak Airport (WWK), which is located close to the city with transfers to hotels taking only a few minutes, further transfers to the Sepik River begin. Cruise lines or tour operators typically organize private 4WD vehicles for the approximately 5- to 7-hour drive to embarkation points on the river, such as Pagwi. From there, the journey continues by motorized canoe downstream to the respective starting points of the cruise or to river lodges. When arriving by charter flight to Karawari, the transfer to the "Sepik Spirit" takes place directly by boat.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long international flights to Papua New Guinea and the necessary connecting flights and transfers to the Sepik River, arriving at least one day before the scheduled embarkation is highly recommended. An overnight stay in Port Moresby and/or in Wewak is ideal to buffer against potential flight delays and to start the journey relaxed. Many tours already include hotel stays in Wewak before the transfer to the river, ensuring smooth logistics.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and consider that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always observe the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times may change at short notice.
