The view from your balcony takes in the calm waters of a tropical fjord flanked by the shores of the world's last great rainforest wilderness. It is a land without roads, where Stone Age traditions linger and primeval forests dominate the landscape.

But this is no bare-bones jungle camp. You enjoy a full range of modern creature comforts, eat savory chef-prepared meals, and are just minutes away from some of the best diving experiences on the planet. This is Tufi Dive Resort.

Over the past three decades, Tufi has built an international reputation as one of Papua New Guinea's premier diving destinations. The property is located on the island's north shore in a region perforated by a network of deep volcanic fjords. It's 150 miles from Port Moresby as the crow flies, and flying is the only way to reach Tufi, as there are no roads connecting this remote region.

The resort perches on a waterfront hillside near the mouth of its namesake fjord. The central lodge and guest accommodations are set into lush foliage and designed to harmonize with the tropical surroundings. The architecture and décor feature native timbers, traditional woven wall coverings, polished hardwood floors and unique carvings from many regions of the country.

Guest accommodations include 10 deluxe bungalows and 18 rooms. All provide 24-hour electricity, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, hairdryers, hot showers, private bathrooms and in-room refrigerators. Most bungalows and some rooms have verandas overlooking the Coral Sea or Tufi Fjord. Guests can also spend one or more nights in one of the several eco-guest houses the resort maintains in nearby villages. This is an excellent way to experience the region's culture and traditional way of life.

Resort amenities include an in-ground pool and BBQ deck, lounge, bar area, library, game room and media center. An open-air dining terrace delivers spectacular views of the fjord below and serves a lavish mix of local seafood, vegetables and tropical fruits. Resort rates include all meals as well as lunch on dive excursions.

Tufi offers two distinctly different underwater environments and is also one of the only destinations in Papua New Guinea for year-round diving. The protected waters of the area's tropical fjords provide perfect conditions for macro and muck diving, while open-water coral reefs are just a short boat ride away.

The resort's house reef is rated among the world's best muck dives, home to a plethora of gobies, nudibranchs, mandarin fish, ghost pipefish, banded pipes and more. It is a prime spot for underwater macro photography and an exceptional night dive. Additional discoveries await under the resort's jetty, which was a staging area for PT boats during WWII. The soft bottom adjacent to the wharf holds the scattered wrecks of two PT boats and a small freighter, along with a variety of discarded machinery and war materiel that now provides shelter for cryptic sea life.

In dramatic contrast to the fjord's muck sites are the coral reefs that lie just offshore. Here, a string of ledges and bommies rise from depths of 2,000 feet to within 20 feet of the surface. Year-round underwater visibility typically exceeds 100 feet, and the waters teem with fish life in all sizes. Macro life enthusiasts can spend hours in pursuit of cryptic finds; big animal enthusiasts find numerous species of sharks, including seasonal schools of hammerheads.

The resort's dive center is located on the waterfront just below the guest rooms. Guests can snorkel and begin shore dives right from the shop, and canoes are available for explorations of the fjord. Tufi operates two dive boats, a custom-built 45-foot catamaran with an air-conditioned cabin and a 30-foot fast launch with a shower and bathroom facilities.

Divers and snorkelers aren't the only travelers who have discovered Tufi. The resort caters to hikers, birders and eco-adventurers of all types with a range of activities that includes fishing trips, bush and nature walks, paddle boards, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, trekking, bird watching, beach BBQs and cultural interactions. The surrounding landscape encompasses a diverse range of habitats, including beaches, mangroves, lowland rainforest, hill rainforests, littoral forests, coconut groves, plantations and grasslands. The world's largest butterfly is found here, along with an abundance of orchids.

Tufi offers a range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities. A signature experience is the outrigger canoe safari to a waterfall hidden deep in a fjord, where passengers are left to enjoy an afternoon swim and a picnic of fresh lobster. Other favorite excursions include supported kayak tours to secluded beaches, guided hikes, visits to traditional villages and overnight stays that immerse guests in the local way of life. More ambitious adventures can include multi-day kayak trips and three to five-day treks through virgin rainforests to the twin peaks of Mt. Trafalgar and Mt. Britannia.

Tufi Dive Resort is served by direct domestic flights from Port Moresby on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flights are about an hour's duration. The area has two primary weather patterns: a wet season from November to March, and a drier period the remainder of the year. Coastal areas experience temperatures between 75-95 F, while nighttime temperatures can drop into the lower 50s in the highlands. Though remote, Tufi Dive Resort has mobile phone coverage and internet communication.