Tufi Resort Papua New Guinea

Ambiance and Arrival: Arriving by an incredibly scenic one hour charter flight over the mountains and fjords from Port Moresby, Tufi Resort is enveloped in a lush, tropical setting along Papua New Guinea’s northern coast, offering guests a warm welcome in an organized and secure environment. We appreciated the welcoming orientation, as well as the early breakfast upon arrival, which set a positive tone for our stay. Management and Service: The management at Tufi balances professionalism with a welcoming demeanor, fostering a friendly and hospitable atmosphere. Staff members were consistently kind, well-trained, and attentive, embodying a high standard of guest service. Rooms: The rooms were comfortably furnished and offered beautiful views, complemented by effective air conditioning. While room aesthetics were pleasing, maintenance in the tropics is a challenge, with continual renovations in progress. Additionally, camera setup in the room was difficult due to low light levels, and indoor WiFi access would be beneficial, particularly to avoid mosquito exposure outdoors. Dining: The resort’s dining experience had positives but could be enhanced to meet the resort’s standard. Breakfast: Early coffee availability and lighter breakfast options suited divers well. Lunch: A good variety of meals were offered over the week, but an option for multiple choices would be a welcome addition. Dinner: We felt that dinner service was often rushed. Menu choices would be a nice addition to allow flexibility, and the quality and consistency of meals need improvement to match the resort’s premium feel. Bar Service: The bar service was generally good, offering a cocktail of the day. Mango Daiquiri's in mango season - yum. Diving is a highlight at Tufi, with impressive sites such as Jack Daniels, Bills, and Kasa. While some dives, like Cyclone, lacked marine life, others revealed rich biodiversity and stunning fish schools, particularly the middle reefs. The house reef and fjord diving offered a good habitat for macro subjects including the elusive Mandarin Fish. Dive planning would benefit from greater flexibility based on weather conditions to enhance the diving experience. The boat operations were well-organized, featuring thoughtful provisions such as fresh snacks, water, and towels. However, adding a safety line from the bow to the ladder on the monohull would improve safety during exits, particularly in rough conditions. Environmental Impact: The resort’s anchoring practices raised some concerns about coral damage. Adding moorings could help reduce this impact while preserving the reef’s health. Amenities: WiFi access, limited to the main building and operational only between 6 am and 8 pm, was slow, and uploading media was challenging. While this could restrict those requiring constant connectivity, it did encourage a digital detox. Additionally, the conference room could be an ideal camera setup area for groups, with good lighting and workspace layout. Final Impressions: Tufi Resort has substantial strengths, including its hospitable ambiance, well-trained staff, and overall organization. A few improvements in room maintenance, food quality, dining pacing, and dive planning flexibility would elevate the experience to match the resort’s promising setting and scenic dive offerings.

Ambiance and Arrival: Arriving by an incredibly scenic one hour charter flight over the mountains and fjords from Port Moresby, Tufi Resort is enveloped in a lush, tropical setting along Papua New Guinea’s northern coast, offering guests a warm welcome in an organized and secure environment. We appreciated the welcoming orientation, as well as the early breakfast upon arrival, which set a positive tone for our stay.Management and Service: The management at Tufi balances professionalism with a welcoming demeanor, fostering a friendly and hospitable atmosphere. Staff members were consistently kind, well-trained, and attentive, embodying a high standard of guest service.Rooms: The rooms were comfortably furnished and offered beautiful views, complemented by effective air conditioning. While room aesthetics were pleasing, maintenance in the tropics is a challenge, with continual renovations in progress. Additionally, camera setup in the room was difficult due to low light levels, and indoor WiFi access would be beneficial, particularly to avoid mosquito exposure outdoors.Dining: The resort’s dining experience had positives but could be enhanced to meet the resort’s standard.Breakfast: Early coffee availability and lighter breakfast options suited divers well.Lunch: A good variety of meals were offered over the week, but an option for multiple choices would be a welcome addition.Dinner: We felt that dinner service was often rushed. Menu choices would be a nice addition to allow flexibility, and the quality and consistency of meals need improvement to match the resort’s premium feel.Bar Service: The bar service was generally good, offering a cocktail of the day. Mango Daiquiri's in mango season - yum.Diving is a highlight at Tufi, with impressive sites such as Jack Daniels, Bills, and Kasa. While some dives, like Cyclone, lacked marine life, others revealed rich biodiversity and stunning fish schools, particularly the middle reefs. The house reef and fjord diving offered a good habitat for macro subjects including the elusive Mandarin Fish.Dive planning would benefit from greater flexibility based on weather conditions to enhance the diving experience. The boat operations were well-organized, featuring thoughtful provisions such as fresh snacks, water, and towels. However, adding a safety line from the bow to the ladder on the monohull would improve safety during exits, particularly in rough conditions.Environmental Impact: The resort’s anchoring practices raised some concerns about coral damage. Adding moorings could help reduce this impact while preserving the reef’s health.Amenities: WiFi access, limited to the main building and operational only between 6 am and 8 pm, was slow, and uploading media was challenging. While this could restrict those requiring constant connectivity, it did encourage a digital detox. Additionally, the conference room could be an ideal camera setup area for groups, with good lighting and workspace layout.Final Impressions: Tufi Resort has substantial strengths, including its hospitable ambiance, well-trained staff, and overall organization. A few improvements in room maintenance, food quality, dining pacing, and dive planning flexibility would elevate the experience to match the resort’s promising setting and scenic dive offerings.