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Papua New Guinea🇵🇬 | beachesSamarai IslandCarless island loop, colonial ruins, wharf snorkeling, cemetery lookout | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Samarai Island
👍 Recommendedbeach ranked #15
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Samarai Island was once the administrative capital of Milne Bay and a busier port than Port Moresby, yet today it has no cars at all and you can walk its entire shoreline in about an hour. It sits in the China Strait off the southeastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea. Paths ring the island past crumbling colonial foundations, and the water is clear but the sand is patchy. Snorkeling off the old wharves is easy, crowds are nonexistent, and guesthouse and trade store food stay basic. The loop ends at the old cemetery on the hill, with the whole bay spread below.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #15 beach in Papua New GuineaWhat makes this beach worth visiting

Backpackers stop here because Samarai Island is the natural pause on the Alotau to Louisiade hop, a place to wait for the next boat without feeling stuck. Walking is the only transport, so days settle into a loop of colonial ruins and wharf-side swimming with islanders who actually stop to talk. Prices stay low because there is little to spend money on: a guesthouse bed, rice and tinned fish from a trade store, fresh fish from a canoe. Ferries and dinghies from the mainland bring a trickle of travelers, mostly divers and sailors, so you will meet them over shared meals.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Samarai Island shoreline loop: a flat path circles the whole island, passing old wharves, overgrown stone steps and palm-lined beaches. Go at low tide for firmer sand and easier walking.
  2. Old colonial ruins: the shells of trading houses, the former government buildings and the lines of old streets show how important Samarai once was. Moss and vines have taken most of it, and the photos are excellent.
  3. Wharf snorkeling: the water off the old jetties is calm and clear, with small reef fish around the pilings and coral patches a short swim out. Bring your own mask, as rental is not something to count on.
  4. Cemetery hill viewpoint: a short climb brings you to the island’s old graves and a panorama over the surrounding islets, reefs and the mainland coast. Late afternoon light is best.
  5. Evening on the waterfront:
… read more 👉
  1. Samarai Island shoreline loop: a flat path circles the whole island, passing old wharves, overgrown stone steps and palm-lined beaches. Go at low tide for firmer sand and easier walking.
  2. Old colonial ruins: the shells of trading houses, the former government buildings and the lines of old streets show how important Samarai once was. Moss and vines have taken most of it, and the photos are excellent.
  3. Wharf snorkeling: the water off the old jetties is calm and clear, with small reef fish around the pilings and coral patches a short swim out. Bring your own mask, as rental is not something to count on.
  4. Cemetery hill viewpoint: a short climb brings you to the island’s old graves and a panorama over the surrounding islets, reefs and the mainland coast. Late afternoon light is best.
  5. Evening on the waterfront: as the sun drops, locals gather by the trade stores and the jetty, fishing canoes come in, and you can buy the day’s catch or just sit and talk. There is no nightlife beyond that, and the sky is full of stars.
Everything fits comfortably into one full day, or a relaxed two if you want more time in the water.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (May to October): Southeast trade winds bring the clearest skies and calmest mornings, with highs of 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F) and nights near 23°C (73°F). Days run about 11.5 hours at midwinter, and the water is best for snorkeling.
  • Wet Season (December to March): Humid heat of 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F), heavy squalls and occasional cancelled boats. Beds are easy to find and nobody haggles over them because nobody is there.
  • Festivals and Prices: Milne Bay’s Kenu and Kundu Festival in November draws small crowds and fills the few guesthouses. Boat fares barely move through the year.
Book a bed before any November arrival.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: below average for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
papua-new-guinea-beach-samarai-island
© Google | James Mitau

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Papua New Guinea

The most practical place to sleep is on Samarai itself, along the old main street and the waterfront near the wharf. The island is tiny, about 24 hectares, so everything is a five-minute walk from the beach, and arriving boats dock right here. Accommodation is limited to a handful of simple guesthouses, with rooms typically around K100 to 250 (US$25 to 65). Nothing resembles a backpacker scene, so the social side comes from sharing a veranda with local officials, traders and the occasional yachtie. The other option is basing yourself in Alotau on the mainland and visiting Samarai by boat for a … read more 👉
The most practical place to sleep is on Samarai itself, along the old main street and the waterfront near the wharf. The island is tiny, about 24 hectares, so everything is a five-minute walk from the beach, and arriving boats dock right here. Accommodation is limited to a handful of simple guesthouses, with rooms typically around K100 to 250 (US$25 to 65). Nothing resembles a backpacker scene, so the social side comes from sharing a veranda with local officials, traders and the occasional yachtie. The other option is basing yourself in Alotau on the mainland and visiting Samarai by boat for a day or overnight. Alotau has more beds, restaurants and a market, and it suits you better if you want company. Staying on Samarai is better for sunsets and quiet.
Best hostels in Papua New Guinea


Best quality hotels in Papua New Guinea

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Samarai is one of the calmer places in Milne Bay to be around water. The island sits inside a sheltered lagoon, so there are no rips and waves are small, though tidal flow picks up in the channels between islands. Swim where locals do, near the wharf and the calm shore, and keep away from boat traffic. Reef edges can be sharp, so wear water shoes. Sun is fierce by 10 a.m., and squalls arrive quickly in the wet season. The island is small and friendly. Still, keep valuables out of sight, and walk with a light after dark.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Fly to Alotau (Gurney Airport) from Port Moresby, about 1 hour 15 minutes on Air Niugini, then take a boat from Alotau to Samarai. Public boats and dinghies take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, with fares around K50 to 100 (US$13 to 26), while chartered boats cost much more. Ask at the Alotau waterfront for departures, which are usually in the morning.
Swimming is the main draw, with calm, clear lagoon water around the island. Snorkeling is decent on nearby reefs, but you will need a local boat to reach the best spots, usually arranged through your guesthouse for about K100 to 300 (US$26 to 78). Surfing is not an option because the lagoon is sheltered and flat.
Yes, the beach itself costs nothing and you can walk on the shoreline all day. Land in Milne Bay is customary, so if you cross village shores on nearby islands, ask permission first and expect a small fee of K10 to 20 (US$3 to 5). Boat transfers and snorkel trips are where the money goes.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Papua New Guinean beaches near Samarai Island

Explore more nearby:

  • Doini Island—Sailing canoes, roadless island, shore reef, star-filled nights| 11 km away
  • Trobriand Islands Beaches—cultural festivals, lagoon waters, carved canoes| 221 km away
  • Tufi Beach—Tufi fjords, sandy inlet coves, reef walls, tapa cloth villages| 225 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Samarai suits slow travelers, history nerds and anyone waiting on a boat who would rather wander than scroll. If you need nightlife or polished service, skip it. I would bring a mask, snacks and a headlamp, then walk the loop twice, once in the morning and once at dusk.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Papua New Guinea. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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