Buka Passage

Buka Passage is a narrow strait that separates Buka Island from the northern part of Bougainville Island, within the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of northeastern Papua New Guinea.

A 1943 aerial photograph of the Buka Passage between Bougainville Island (left) and Buka Island (right).

History

A number of shipwrecks are located in the passage.

Before the World War II, Irish missionary Patrick O'Reilly joined a religious mission to Buka Passage, and began collecting artefacts that helped to preserve Bougainville cultural history.

The 1943 aerial photograph to the right shows the Buka Passage between Bougainville and Buka islands. Two Japanese airfields are visible, Buka Airfield (center) and Bonis Airfield (left).

Today, Buka Airfield has become Bougainville's major airport, whereas Bonis Airfield has been disused since World War II.

See also

• Geography of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville