Papua New Guinea · PG

Makada

Makada is a small, flat coral island in Papua New Guinea's Duke of York Islands archipelago, sitting in the Saint Georges Channel between New Britain and New Ireland. Despite its modest size of just 3.6 square kilometers, Makada punches well above its weight for travelers: it shelters a rare underwater collection of Japanese WWII tanks in its crystal-clear lagoon, hosts living cultural traditions including a unique fish-trap ceremony, and lies within easy boat reach of the historic town of Rabaul. The island's single village, Molot, is home to Tolai people who maintain animist traditions alongside their Christian faith—offering visitors one of the most authentic glimpses into Melanesian ceremonial culture in the region.