Duke of York Islands

The Duke of York Islands are a small archipelago in Papua New Guinea’s East New Britain Province, lying in the channel between the larger islands of New Britain and New Ireland. They form a local island group used for settlement and subsistence activities.

The islands have long been inhabited by local Papuan communities and were encountered by European navigators during the colonial period. They have served primarily local fishing and village life rather than as major colonial centers.

The group sits in St. George’s Channel within East New Britain Province, off the eastern coast of the island of New Britain and to the west of New Ireland. Access is by boat from towns on the New Britain coast.

• Location note: Located in the St. George's Channel between the larger islands of New Britain and New Ireland, forming part of East New Britain Province.
• Access: Local transport is primarily by small boats from the East New Britain mainland; there are village communities rather than tourist infrastructure.

What to See #

• Islands and villages: A compact cluster of low, wooded islands and sandy beaches located in the channel between New Britain and New Ireland; local communities maintain village settlements and subsistence agriculture.
• Marine access: Coastal reefs and lagoon areas that are used for fishing and small-scale boat access from East New Britain; most travel to the islands is by local boat services.