TRIPGUROO

Guide to Papua New Guinea – Islands Region (Admiralty Islands, Bougainville, New Britain, New Ireland)

To visit Papua New Guinea – Islands Region (Admiralty Islands, Bougainville, New Britain, New Ireland), check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references.

New Britain, New Ireland and Manus offer histories and landscapes different from the mainland Highlands. Kokopo and Kavieng are gateways to journeys centred on coast, culture and sea.

Places in Papua New Guinea – Islands Region (Admiralty Islands, Bougainville, New Britain, New Ireland) · 1 catalog places →

Visa for your trip

Choose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically.

Conditions and other situations

Short tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling.

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eSIM and connectivity

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Currency and payments

Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK) · Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK) · Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)

Embassy

Missions are filtered by your passport country. Confirm services, opening hours and appointments with the mission.

View 12 missions and contacts

Highlights

Kokopo

A city on New Britain overlooking Blanche Bay.

Complete guide · chapter reading

Introduction

The Bismarck Archipelago is in , around the Bismarck Sea northeast of that country's main island.

It consists of three main islands and many smaller ones:

The capitals are , and , respectively. Rabaul has a population of about 20,000; the others are smaller.

Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2023-09-20T11:59:09Z · Source and revision · Authors and history · CC BY-SA 4.0

Local food

Taro cocido

Root staple in several island cuisines; recipes vary by community.

Pescado del día

Coastal preparations arranged with your accommodation or community.

Fruta tropical

Seasonal market produce, not an exclusive regional dish.

Local drinks

Café de PNG

Nationally produced coffee also served in island establishments.

Alcohol-free

Agua de coco

A shared coastal drink in Melanesia.

Alcohol-free

Plan your itinerary

Specific island

Confirm airports, boats and accommodation: the island region is not one continuous circuit.

Volcanoes and remains

Check volcanic activity and never handle wartime ammunition remains.

Local arrangements

Arrange village, beach and historical-site access with hosts.

New Britain

New Ireland

Manus

Local reading and routes

New Britain: history and volcanoes

In East New Britain, Kokopo and Rabaul connect markets, Second World War remains and volcanic scenery. The tourism authority recommends exploring the Gazelle Peninsula with a guide and identifies Tokua as the arrival airport.

Start with Kokopo’s market and a history visit, then arrange nature outings according to conditions. Confirm any approach to a volcano locally; inclusion in a guide does not mean a route is open.

New Ireland: Kavieng and the coast

Kavieng, at New Ireland’s northern end, serves as a base for marine activities and journeys along the Boluminski Highway. Malagan traditions bring together carvings, masks and ceremonies connected with remembering the dead.

Pair a day at sea with a local visit that explains artistic work and its context. Ask what may be visited and photographed; ceremonies should not be treated as performances available on demand.

Manus: a base in Lorengau

Manus comprises the Admiralty Islands and other atolls. Lorengau is the main starting point, with a market and accommodation; flights arrive at Momote. PNG Tourism advises planning the visit and arranging activities with a local guide.

Secure accommodation and an airport transfer first. Then ask about a coastal outing or cultural visit suited to your available time. Request a plan that includes the return journey and alternatives if conditions change.

Rabaul

the capital city of East New Britain province. Destroyed by volcanic eruption in 1994 and still slowly getting back to normal. Many ruins from the Japanese wartime occupation and great diving to see wrecks, and amazing coral and fish.

Kimbe

a thriving port, capital city of West New Britain province and an important dive centre.

Cape Gloucester

Headland on the very western end of New Britain. For its wildlife reserve and indigenous culture, there are some remnants of war relics to be seen.

Kavieng

the capital of the province with excellent diving, sailing, fishing and surfing.

Namatanai

Formerly cannibals, then heavily influenced by Roman Catholic missionaries, the biggest change for the people of the island came in the early 1980s when gold was discovered. The Lihir mine is estimated to hold 40 million ounces of gold, making it one of the largest in the world. The town of Londolovit is a mining town but the islanders remain spread out around the island in coastal villages.

Lorengau

the capital of the province, on Manus Island.

Sources

PNG Tourism · destinos · PNG Tourism · cocinas insulares · FCDO · seguridad y volcanes · PNG Tourism Promotion Authority · East New Britain · PNG Tourism Promotion Authority · New Ireland · PNG Tourism Promotion Authority · Manus

Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0

CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikivoyage · Bismarck Archipelago