Karkar Island

Introducing Karkar Island

William Dampier, the English pirate-cum-explorer, made an early landing on this island. Later, Lutheran missionaries had a hard time from malaria, volcanic eruptions and the fierce inhabitants and were temporarily evicted. Today Karkar has both Catholic and Lutheran missions.

The island is also one of the most fertile places in the country with some of the most productive copra plantations in the world. The volcano erupted violently in 1974 and again in 1979, killing two vulcanologists. It takes 12 hours return to climb the crater (1831m, K135 for a guide); bring plenty of sunscreen to combat the heat that bounces off the bare basalt and seek permission from the villagers as the crater has religious significance.

A road encircles the island and it takes four hours to drive around. You can also walk around, but treat the river crossings with caution. When it rains on the mountain, water comes down these rivers like a wall – there have been deaths. Karkar is encircled by a reef and has good beaches and snorkelling.

The high school and the airstrip are at the government station at Kinim.

Tugutugu Guesthouse (per person K60; meals K5-15) is the only accommodation on the island and about 3km from Kulili wharf (45 minutes by foot), and 10km from Kinim wharf. The guesthouse is set in beautiful grounds and is a 15-minute walk to a white sandy beach where it is possible to rent canoes (K20).

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009