Karkar Island
Island Volcanic island with fertile soils and plantations
Karkar Island in Madang Province is a volcanic island with cone ridges, coconut and cocoa plantations and coastal villages; travelers visit for local culture, boat trips and scuba or snorkeling along fringing reefs.
Karkar Island is a volcanic island in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, rising steeply from the Bismarck Sea and dominated by a central volcanic cone.
The island supports dispersed coastal villages and intensive smallholder agriculture, notably coconut and garden crops grown on the fertile volcanic soils. Shorelines include fringing reef and mangrove in places, and local culture and village governance are important aspects of life on the island.
Karkar is separated from the mainland by a narrow strait off the north coast of Papua New Guinea and is accessed by boat and by occasional light aircraft services that link it with Madang and other regional centres.
- Volcanic island: The island is volcanic in origin and the central cone remains a prominent landscape feature, giving the island fertile soils for agriculture.
What to See #
- Volcanic cone: Central volcanic cone area that dominates the island landscape and is the origin of the island's fertile soils and local streams.
- Coastal villages and agriculture: Coastal villages, coconut plantations and shoreline gardens that form the majority of inhabited areas and local economy.
How to Get to Karkar Island #
Access is by scheduled or charter boat from Madang or small domestic air services to Karkar’s airstrips when operating; check local schedules and weather advisories before travel.
Tips for Visiting Karkar Island #
- Karkar Island is an active volcanic island - check advisories before travelling and respect local evacuation protocols.
- Hire local guides for inland treks; roads are limited and weather can make travel difficult.
Best Time to Visit Karkar Island #
Visit during the drier months (mid-year) when roads and sea transfers are more reliable.
Weather & Climate near Karkar Island #
Karkar Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 17°C to 26°C. Heavy rainfall (2773 mm/year), wettest in March.
January
January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (344 mm).
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (343 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (345 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (282 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (187 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm).
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July
July is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (192 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (259 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (341 mm).
