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- Trobriand Islands (Kiriwina) — A cultural world in itself: yam festivals, the famous Kula exchange between islanders, colorful carvings and canoe culture. Visiting Kiriwina or nearby Trobriand is less about sightseeing and more about being invited into a living, distinctive Papua New Guinean island culture you won’t find elsewhere.
- Samarai Island — A tiny, crumbling colonial port that feels frozen in time: colonial buildings, narrow lanes, a dramatic harbour and easy boat access to nearby reefs and islets. Photogenic, walkable and full of local stories about pre-war trade and WWII comings-and-goings.
- Alotau waterfront & Saturday market — The provincial hub where fishermen, bilum makers and fresh-produce traders converge. Great for sampling seafood, seeing traditional weaving, and catching
- Trobriand Islands (Kiriwina) — A cultural world in itself: yam festivals, the famous Kula exchange between islanders, colorful carvings and canoe culture. Visiting Kiriwina or nearby Trobriand is less about sightseeing and more about being invited into a living, distinctive Papua New Guinean island culture you won’t find elsewhere.
- Samarai Island — A tiny, crumbling colonial port that feels frozen in time: colonial buildings, narrow lanes, a dramatic harbour and easy boat access to nearby reefs and islets. Photogenic, walkable and full of local stories about pre-war trade and WWII comings-and-goings.
- Alotau waterfront & Saturday market — The provincial hub where fishermen, bilum makers and fresh-produce traders converge. Great for sampling seafood, seeing traditional weaving, and catching inter-island boats—excellent for people-watching and practical travel arrangements.
- Milne Bay WWII sites and wreck dives — Milne Bay was the site of a pivotal 1942 battle; around Alotau, Samarai and nearby islands there are shore relics and coral-encrusted wrecks accessible to divers and snorkellers. It’s a rare mix of living reef ecology and tangible wartime history you can actually swim around.
- Mount Vineuo, Goodenough Island — The volcanic heart of Goodenough: jungle hikes, ridge views and village stays with strong birdlife and mountain-to-sea scenery. It’s a proper off-the-beaten-track island hike that rewards with panoramic views and real village hospitality.
- Fergusson Island volcanic landscapes — A raw, volcanic island with steam vents, rugged coastline and black-sand bays; local villages and trails feel remote in the best way. Fergusson’s landscapes and active geology give you an island experience different from the typical palm-fringed postcard.
- Normanby Island beaches and village life — Long white-sand stretches, reef snorkelling and close-knit coastal villages where daily life is on the water. Less visited than nearby hotspots, Normanby is ideal for simple beach camping, canoe trips and authentic encounters with island communities.
- Sideia Island — Hidden gem — Quiet villages, shallow coral gardens and peaceful walking tracks; Sideia is a proper low-tourism island where you can watch traditional canoe building, swim healthy reefs and mingle with locals without the crowds. Perfect for slow island hopping from Samarai.
- Kwato Island mission village — Hidden gem — A small mission island off the Milne Bay coast with intact mission-era buildings, tidy graveyards and strong local craft traditions. It’s an accessible cultural stop that gives insight into how Christianity and local customs shaped community life here.
- Nivani Island — Hidden gem — A tiny island popular with local fishers and dive operators for its clear water, on-the-spot fish markets and brilliant snorkelling right off the reefs. It’s a compact, easy day-trip that combines great water visibility, local seafood and genuine island rhythm without fuss.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.