Major city · 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.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PGK
- Best months
- Sep–Nov
- avoid May–Oct (rain may affect boat trips)
- Airport
- GUR
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Melanesia ↗Malaria is present in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu (not Fiji or New Caledonia): ask a travel clinic about tablets before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Every visitor needs a visa (an online e-visa, or a visa on arrival for a short list of passports) and must file the free Digital Arrival Card before landing: check the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority for your passport before booking.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Some governments advise against travel to parts of the Highlands provinces because of tribal fighting; check your own government's current advice before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Almost all land is customary: ask permission before walking, swimming or photographing, and expect to pay fees to landowners.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Alotau112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alotau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the kina (PGK, K).Papua New Guinea-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Papua New Guinea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and hotels: Not expected.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Papua New Guinea-wide
- SafetyAlotau is generally safe for tourists, but stay with a local guide, keep valuables secure, and follow up‑to‑date travel advisories.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 111 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and for several days around Independence Day; many shops close Sunday afternoon; lodges may close in the wet season.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUR Gurney Airport.
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; boat trips arrange through lodges or local operators.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBibiko Farm bungalow (meals included), a night, per personPGK 60
- Mid-range bedDriftwood Resort bungalow, a night, per personPGK 350
- High-end bedDriftwood Resort bungalow, a night, per personPGK 400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PGK 30 · Mid PGK 60 · High PGK 120
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUR Gurney Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov. Mixed: Sep–Oct. Avoid: May–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jun (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Jul (19 rain days), driest Apr (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alotau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
18 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
19 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
18 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; boat trips arrange through lodges or local operators.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Samarai Island
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Boat from Alotau, about 20 min
Historic former provincial capital, walkable island.
Trobriand Islands
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Airlines PNG twice‑weekly flight, 1 h
Limited services; verify flight availability.
Fergusson Island
skipDoor to door: ≈4 h total
Boat from Alotau, schedule irregular
Remote, few facilities.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- K30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- K60–100 excl. bed
- High
- K120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Alotau International Hotel room2 × 2 nights × PGK 500 | PGK 2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PGK 60 | PGK 240 |
| Round‑trip flight Port Moresby ↔ Alotau (Air Niugini)2 × PGK 150 · check | PGK 300 |
| Boat day trip to Samarai2 × PGK 30 · check | PGK 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PGK 260 |
| Trip total≈ PGK 715 per person per day, bed included | PGK 2,860 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at local restaurant | K15–30 |
| Fresh fruit at market | K2–5 |
| Bungalow (Bibiko Farm) per night | K60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Only one dive shop, currently closed – verify before planning dives.
- Boat schedules can be irregular; confirm times with your lodge.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 111
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AlotauAlotau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Plis bringim mi long dispela addressTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance111
- Fire110
Embassy
Check the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby for consular assistance.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Port Moresby → Alotau (Air Niugini): about K150, 1 h flight (check)
- Boat Alotau → Samarai: ≈ K30, 20 min (check)
Say or show
- Gutpela de — Hello
- Tenkyu — Thank you
- Hau hamas? — How much?
- Olsem wanem market? — Where is the market?
- Mi nidim bot — I need a boat
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alotau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov · avoid May–Oct (rain may affect boat trips) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 7 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Alotau
- secondaryWikivoyage: Alotau, revision 5323295 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Alotau
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