Misima

Misima Island is a mountainous, forested island in Milne Bay Province, located in the Solomon Sea roughly 200 km east of Alotau. It is the main island of the Misima District and was the site of the Misima Gold Mine, a large open-pit and underground operation that closed in 2001 after depleting its reserves. The mine left behind significant environmental controversy, a sealed airstrip, and a network of roads that now serve the island's scattered villages.

The island's population of around 25,000 people is predominantly Misima-speaking, with a mix of mining-era migrants from other parts of PNG. The economy has shifted back to fishing, copra, and subsistence gardening since the mine closed. For travellers, Misima is a challenging destination: it has basic guesthouse accommodation, the ambitious can trek to the old mine site and the island's summit for views over the Louisiade Archipelago.

By Plane

Misima Airport (MIS) has charter flights from Alotau. There is no scheduled commercial service.

By Car / Road

Misima has a network of sealed and unsealed roads from the mining era; 4WD recommended for interior roads.

PMV trucks on the main roads. Boat for coastal villages and surrounding small islands.

• Misima Gold Mine — the abandoned open-pit and processing plant; the site is fenced but the scale is visible from the surrounding ridges.

• Misima summit — the highest peak on the island (about 500 m) offers views across the Louisiades to the south.

• Coastal villages — traditional Milne Bay stilt houses with outrigger canoes along the north coast.

• Mine-site trek — guided walk to the old mine lookout (permission may be required at the district office).

• Fishing and snorkelling — the reef-edge around Misima is relatively untouched.

• Island hopping — charter a boat to the nearby smaller islands.

• Misima guesthouse — fish, taro, and rice. K30–60.
• Village food — reef fish and coconut.

Bottled water. No bars.

• Budget: Misima rest house or village guesthouse — K70–120/night.
• Mid-range: none.

Misima Market — produce, fish, and betel nut. Basic trade stores.

• Alotau (charter flight 45 min) — Milne Bay provincial capital.
• Samarai (by boat, 2–3 hr) — historic island trading port.
• Louisiade Archipelago (by chartered boat, 6+ hr) — remote atolls and reef systems.