BITE

There are four main river systems near the lodge. Each has an Avatar-like environment.

Blue-water fishing is also an option, with reefs not far from the shore.

The lodge has a luxury 72ft vessel, MV Ultimate One, that is used to explore the more secluded rivers and reefs in the region. Some of the places visited so far include Emirau Island, Siassi Region, Gloucester, New Hanover and the Witu Islands. This year, Baia Sportfishing plans to add more destinations.

You don’t need to be a hardcore fisherperson to visit the lodge. Nonfishing activities include snorkelling and kayaking from the beachfront, or take a five-minute walk to a village to see the local way of living. At a small creek and waterfall 10 minutes from the lodge, parrots, hornbills and blue-eyed cockatoos fill the jungle with birdsong.

Visitors to the lodge can fly from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport on New Britain Island with Air Niugini.

The lodge has a package that includes two nights at Liamo Reef Resort, and five or more nights at Baia Sportfishing Lodge.

The first and last nights of the package are at Liamo Reef Resort, in the heart of Kimbe town (bus transfers are provided).

After the first night, guests are transferred to Baia Sportfishing Lodge on a 4.5-hour boat trip along the New Britain coastline.

There are lush rainforests, high mountain ranges, atolls and active volcanoes to see. Sometimes, pods of dolphins and whales are seen. See baiafishingpng.com.

Air Niugini flies from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport daily. There are same-day connections to Hoskins, via Port Moresby, from Brisbane and Cairns. See airniugini.com.pg.