Emirau IslandEmirau Island at a Glance
About Emirau Island
Emirau Island is part of Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland Province and lies in the Bismarck Archipelago region. The island played a military role during World War II when Allied forces occupied and developed the island for air operations in 1944.
The wartime installations included airfields and support facilities constructed by Allied engineers; remnants of this infrastructure are part of the island’s historical record. The island is otherwise remote and sparsely populated in peacetime.
After the war the military facilities were abandoned and the island returned to civilian use under local administration. Emirau is administered within New Ireland Province and is located in the western Pacific northeast of the Papua New Guinea mainland.
Emirau lies in the Bismarck Sea region of Papua New Guinea, within New Ireland Province.
- World War II history: Captured and developed by Allied forces during World War II in 1944, the island hosted airfields used in operations in the Bismarck Sea area.
What to See#
- WWII airfields: Allied-era airfield sites and associated wartime infrastructure established on the island during 1944 operations in the Southwest Pacific.
Best Time to Visit Emirau Island
The dry season typically offers the best conditions for travel and landing on remote islands.
Weather & Climate near Emirau Island
Emirau Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 29°C. Heavy rainfall (3227 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 296 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 271 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 309 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 24° - 29° | 26° | 303 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 24° - 29° | 26° | 281 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 257 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 265 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 223 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 24° - 29° | 26° | 178 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 24° - 29° | 26° | 240 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 287 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 317 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Emirau Island
Access requires coordination with regional boat services or charter flights to nearby larger islands in New Ireland Province; travel often includes multi-leg boat journeys and depends on local schedules and weather.
Tips for Visiting Emirau Island
- Arrange travel with experienced operators in New Ireland Province who know seasonal wind patterns
- Bring insect repellent - low islands have mosquitoes and midges
- Protect equipment from salt spray; boat journeys can be long and open to weather