Astrolabe Bay
The wide, sheltered bay on which Madang lies, with coral reefs, islands and calm water. It is known for diving and snorkelling, including reefs and wartime wrecks.
Madang
Coral reefs, World War II wrecks and offshore islands make this pretty coastal town good for diving and snorkelling.
Attractive locations
Kranket Island
A small island a short boat ride from Madang, home to a village and known for its traditional pottery. Visitors come for the sea views and a glimpse of village life.
Karkar Island
An active volcanic island off the coast of Madang, with fertile slopes, villages and a crater that hikers can climb. It can be reached by boat from Madang.
Madang Town
A coastal town on Astrolabe Bay, with a harbour, a palm-lined waterfront and reefs and islands close by. Divers and snorkellers use it as a base.
Airports
Madang Airport MAG
It is about 2 km in a straight line from Madang.
Goroka Airport GKA
It is about 106 km in a straight line from Madang.
Chimbu Airport CMU
It is about 128 km in a straight line from Madang.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Papua New Guinea page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan25.5 °C209 mm
- Feb25.3 °C169 mm
- Mar25.2 °C221 mm
- Apr25.3 °C192 mm
- May25.4 °C175 mm
- Jun25.2 °C125 mm
- Jul25.0 °C94 mm
- Aug25.1 °C76 mm
- Sep25.4 °C113 mm
- Oct25.7 °C120 mm
- Nov25.7 °C168 mm
- Dec25.7 °C171 mm
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Mar, Apr.
Costs
Prices here are about 58% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Emergency numbers differ by city - ask your hotel or operator for the local police and ambulance numbers on arrival.
local government
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority
Helps with: Papua New Guinea's national tourism body. Its contact page lists a phone, email and office address for tourist information.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Papua New Guinea or planning a trip there.
Phone: +675 325 0318
Email: info@papuanewguinea.travel
Address: 6th Floor, Kwalimu Haus, Somare Circuit, Waigani
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Papua New Guinea
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Papua New Guinea it works on complex emergencies, providing humanitarian relief and building government capacity.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by emergencies. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +675 321 3655
Email: IOMPNG@iom.int
Address: Level 3, Cuthbertson House, Granville, PO Box 1876, Port Moresby, NCD
local government
Police emergency number 112
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 112
local government
Ambulance emergency number 111
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 111
local government
Fire emergency number 110
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 110