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Voykit pocket guide · Papua New Guinea
Alotau
Spend 3–5 days in Alotau, stay 2–3 nights in town, then use boats for island trips and optional diving.
Alotau is the provincial capital of Milne Bay, a small coastal town that serves as a gateway to remote islands, WWII sites and limited diving. Most visitors base themselves for 2–3 nights and take day trips to Samarai, the Trobriand Islands or nearby reefs.
- Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Best months
- Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rain may affect boat trips)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PGK
- Money
- Currency is the kina (PGK, K). Cards work at larger hotels and some shops in towns; everywhere else is cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget K30–50 excl. bed · Mid K60–100 excl. bed · High K120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Digicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns. Buy a SIM in Port Moresby with your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 110
- Plugs
- Types I · 240 V · 50 Hz · Same angled flat pins as Australia; bring a power bank, since lodges run generators for set hours.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and hotels: Not expected.; Guides and drivers: K50–100 a day as thanks if service was good (2026 estimate).; Kokoda porters: Operators set a tip pool; also give gear you no longer need, as many trekkers do.; Villages: Pay agreed custom fees rather than tipping individuals.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap. Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water; lodges supply rainwater that should be treated.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks. Carry paper and hand gel.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at local restaurant | K15–30 |
| Fresh fruit at market | K2–5 |
| Bungalow (Bibiko Farm) per night | K60 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GUR · Gurney Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Port Moresby → Alotau (Air Niugini)
- about K150, 1 h flight (check)
- Boat Alotau → Samarai
- ≈ K30, 20 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable; boat trips arrange through lodges or local operators.
See and do
Known for
- Gateway to Milne Bay islands
- WWII history
- Limited diving
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Samarai Island | Boat from Alotau, about 20 min | ≈30 min total |
| Trobriand Islands | Airlines PNG twice‑weekly flight, 1 h | ≈2 h total |
| Fergusson Island | Boat from Alotau, schedule irregular | ≈4 h total |
Sleep
- Alotau International Hotel
- 22 rooms with bay views
- Driftwood Resort
- Bungalows on the bay edge, K300 per bungalow
- Bibiko Farm
- Bungalow village, K60 per night, meals included
- Napatana Ecotourism Lodge
- Bungalows and twin rooms near the bay
- Masurino Lodge
- Standard and executive rooms, family units
- Ulumani – Treetops Rainforest Lodge
- Rainforest units, about 1 h drive from town
- Doini Island Plantation resort
- Bungalows on island, 1 h boat from Alotau
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Gutpela de |
| Thank you | Tenkyu |
| How much? | Hau hamas? |
| Where is the market? | Olsem wanem market? |
| I need a boat | Mi nidim bot |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Shake hands lightly; greet everyone in a group; avoid: Crushing handshakes or ignoring elders
- Village visit: Arrive with your guide, meet the leaders first, bring a small gift if advised; avoid: Walking into gardens or houses uninvited
- Money and gifts: Pay agreed fees to the right person; avoid: Handing out money or sweets to children
- Anger: Stay calm and let your guide negotiate; avoid: Shouting; public shame can escalate quickly
- Sunday: Expect church and quiet; join a service if invited; avoid: Noisy activities near villages
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; a laplap (sarong) works; avoid: Swimwear or short shorts in villages
Scams and watch-outs
- Only one dive shop, currently closed – verify before planning dives.
- Boat schedules can be irregular; confirm times with your lodge.
Alotau is generally safe for tourists, but stay with a local guide, keep valuables secure, and follow up‑to‑date travel advisories.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Alotau yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gateway to Milne Bay islands
- WWII history
- Limited diving
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Alotau: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Alotau, revision 5323295 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5323295
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/alotau). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.