Buka - Facts

Where is Buka?

The island of Buka is part of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Buka township is a Port of Entry for Papua New Guinea.  It is separated from the main island of Bougainville by a channel that is busy with ferries and taxi boats.

Entrance Notes and Cautions for Buka

The easiest entrance is from the east. The Buka Passage can on rare occasions flow at up to 8kn creating large standing waves when wind opposes tide. The norm is anything between 1 and 3 knots of current. Best entrance is at slack water, but once through any waves near the channel marker posts, the passage is deep and easily navigable.

You can enter Buka from the west but this involves traveling past coral reefs and small islands. Fishing vessels do come through this way.

Note:  The taxi boats crossing between Bougainville Island and Buka Island can get quite close, but this is not threatening or menacing, people simply want to take a close look and to shout and wave according to cruisers who visited in September 2025.

Cruiser Highlights for Buka:

Buka Island offers extensive sheltered cruising along its west coast, but the east coast is cliff.

Buka township is said to be bustling and friendly and everyone is helpful and eager to chat with strangers.  Buka has an airport and regular connections to Rabaul and Port Moresby.

Note: The time zone for Bougainville is UTC+11

Position:

05° 26.59'S, 154° 40.20'E (anchorage)

Last updated:  October 2025