About the Port
Kiriwina Island, the largest of Papua New Guinea's Trobriand Islands, lies in the Solomon Sea north of the country's eastern mainland. Long studied by anthropologists for its distinctive matrilineal society, the island is known for elaborately carved yam houses, intricate wood carving traditions, and a local adaptation of cricket introduced generations ago that blends sport with ceremony and dance. Coral reefs and quiet lagoons ring the coastline, framed by dense palm groves and small fishing villages.
Visits typically bring travelers ashore by tender, as the island has no deepwater port, with village greetings, craft displays, and cultural performances arranged near the landing point. The pace is unhurried and the setting deeply rural, offering a rare window into customs that have persisted largely outside modern commercial life. Comfortable footwear and a readiness for open-air, informal surroundings serve visitors well here.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Kiriwina Island.
Watch a Trobriand Cricket Match
If a match happens to fall during a visit, this ceremonial version of the colonial-era game features chanting, dance, and dozens of players per side rather than eleven, making it unlike any cricket seen elsewhere.
Browse Village Wood Carvings
Kiriwina's carvers are famed for ebony bowls, walking sticks, and figures inlaid with mother-of-pearl; browse displays laid out near the landing point and buy directly from the artisans.
Tour a Yam House Village
Walk a short distance inland to see raised, elaborately decorated yam storage houses that signal a family's status in this matrilineal society; a local guide's commentary adds essential context.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Kiriwina Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2026 | Holland America | Noordam | 35 | $14,624 | |
| Dec 20, 2026 | Holland America | Westerdam | 42 | $7,174 | |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Holland America | Westerdam | 28 | $4,789 | |
| Jan 6, 2027 | Princess | Coral Princess | 129 | $21,532 | |
| Jan 21, 2027 | Princess | Coral Princess | 110 | $19,109 | |
| Jan 21, 2027 | Princess | Coral Princess | 114 | $20,317 | |
| Jul 13, 2027 | Regent | Seven Seas Navigator | 21 | $16,049 | |
| Jul 25, 2027 | Regent | Seven Seas Navigator | 9 | $5,099 | |
| Dec 19, 2027 | Holland America | Westerdam | 42 | $7,444 | |
| Jan 4, 2028 | Holland America | Westerdam | 26 | $4,834 | |
| Jan 4, 2028 | Holland America | Westerdam | 40 | $7,304 | |
| Jan 30, 2028 | Holland America | Zaandam | 90 | $20,659 |