Haven’t heard of PokPok Island? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Despite being a hidden gem in a sea of Pacific beauty, this place remains largely off the radar—except for the folks at Young Pioneer Tours.
We’ve been venturing to Bougainville for years, offering up a few exclusive jaunts to this under-the-radar paradise. But is it worth the trek? And how do you even get there? Let’s dive in.
You can check our Bougainville Tours here.
What is PokPok Island?
Picture this: tucked away in the Solomon Sea, just off Bougainville in Papua New Guinea, lies PokPok Island—serene, unspoiled, and utterly unknown to most of the world. Sure, Southeast Asia’s beaches steal the spotlight, but PokPok is like stepping into a time capsule of raw, untouched beauty.
PokPok is a lush, green oasis surrounded by waters so clear they seem unreal. The island is a mix of dense tropical forests, coconut palms swaying in the breeze, and dramatic cliffs plunging into the sea. The coastline is dotted with pristine white-sand beaches that scream tranquility, making it a perfect escape from the chaos of modern life.
Unlike the tourist-packed islands in the Pacific, PokPok is refreshingly undeveloped—a haven for those who crave adventure and nature in its purest form. And as such it is also truly a favourite of Young Pioneer Tours.
A Brief History of PokPok
PokPok’s history is as rich as its landscapes. The island has been home to indigenous communities for centuries, living in harmony with the land and sea. But like much of Bougainville, PokPok didn’t escape the turmoil of World War II, becoming a battleground between Allied and Japanese forces. You can still find remnants of this past—old bunkers and rusting war relics hidden in the island’s dense vegetation.
The island’s post-war story took another dramatic turn during the Bougainville Civil War, a brutal conflict that saw locals fleeing to caves and cooking under the cover of night to avoid detection by PNG forces. Yet, through it all, PokPok’s resilience shines through, and if Bougainville ever gains full independence, this island is sure to be a cornerstone of the region’s tourism boom. The island hopping here is truly amazing and has the potential to rival that of places like Palawan – officially the most beautiful island on earth. There will though need to be improvements in transport and general infrastructure for this to happen.
You can read about island hopping in Bougainville here.
What to Do on PokPok Island?
You won’t find an extensive list of activities on PokPok, and that’s part of its charm. A few guesthouses and makeshift resorts offer basic water sports, but the real draw here is the chance to immerse yourself in the daily life of an untouched island community. Locals live, work, fish, and yes, party here, as evidenced by the empty cans and Paiawara bottles scattered around.
This isn’t your typical tourist trap—PokPok is a place to slow down, maybe buy some homemade preserves, and get to know the people who call this island home. Island mentality is real here; I bumped into the son of my mainland tour guide, who’d relocated to PokPok after marriage—a common practice in these parts.
And it truly is a remarkably relaxing place, a point only amplified by the cool, friendly and unassuming locals.
So, while Bougainville is brimming with stunning islands, finding one where you can snag a cigarette and a Coca-Cola might be just as important as the scenery. And by the way, if you’re a fan of Mr. Pip, the movie that featured Hugh Laurie of House and Blackadder fame then much of the movie was actually filmed here.
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