TufiAbout Tufi
Tufi is a coastal village in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, noted for its fjord-like rias and marine environment. It serves as a local service centre for surrounding villages and as a gateway for diving and cultural tourism.
The shoreline consists of deep, narrow inlets and steep-sided bays carved by drowned river valleys that resemble small fjords; these rias provide sheltered waters for snorkeling and scuba diving. Small dive operators and guesthouses operate from the village and nearby headlands, with coral reefs, pinnacles, and wreck or wall sites within local range.
The coastal rias around Tufi are natural features formed by rising sea levels inundating river valleys. The village and surrounding communities have long relied on dugout canoe travel, fishing, and small-scale trade; in recent decades tourism and dive operations have become important to the local economy.
Tufi sits on the south coast of Oro Province on Papua New Guinea’s main island (New Guinea), on a rugged coastline of inlets and headlands. It is reached by small aircraft services and by boat from larger coastal towns and Port Moresby.
- Coastal rias: Known for a coastline of fjord-like rias that create sheltered inlets and steep-sided bays, popular with divers and small-boat excursions.
- Access options: Accessible by small aircraft and by boat from larger towns, making it a common stop for liveaboard dive trips and remote-lodge visitors.
Best Time to Visit Tufi
Best visited in the dry season (May-October) for diving and calmer coastal conditions; boat and flight schedules are more reliable.
Weather & Climate near Tufi
Tufi's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2450 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 287 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.5h |
| February | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 258 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.7 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 30° | 243 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 251 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| May | Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 284 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.6h |
| June | Good | 23° - 28° | 26° | 200 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
| July | Very Good | 23° - 28° | 25° | 158 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| August | Very Good | 23° - 28° | 26° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.1 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.7h |
| September | Very Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 165 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 170 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| December | Good | 23° - 31° | 30° | 229 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.5h |
How to Get to Tufi
Tufi is reached by small plane (scheduled or charter) from Port Moresby or by boat from Oro Bay/Alotau; travel schedules vary seasonally and should be confirmed with local operators or lodges. The village has a small airstrip; many visitors arrive directly via light aircraft or private boat transfers.
Tips for Visiting Tufi
- Arrange transport in advance: the village is reached by scheduled light aircraft from Port Moresby or by boat from Oro Bay; confirm flight schedules with local operators.
- If diving, book with Tufi Dive or another established operator and verify tank fills - remote operations have limited supplies.
- Bring cash (PNG kina) for local purchases; ATMs are not reliable in remote coastal villages.