Buka Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Air Niugini (973 9655; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri) flies in via Rabaul four times a week. One-way full fares include Rabaul K390 and Port Moresby K837.

Rabaul Shipping (Star Ships; 982 1070; Rabaul) sails once a week to Rabaul (K130 to K250). Rabaul is also serviced by Agmark Shipping (973 9654; Kokopau) but the schedule is erratic; check while you’re there.

Water taxis are the way to get around the Buka Passage area (K1). PMVs, Landcruiser Troop Carriers, ferry people down the coast road of Bougainville to Arawa (and on to Buin, K100), five hours away, for a steep K60. You have to go to Kokopau across the passage and then book a seat by 9am, even though the vehicles leave at 11am or noon (no services on Sunday).