Tufi, Coastal town in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
Tufi sits along steep limestone cliffs and deep inlets of the Solomon Sea on Papua New Guinea's northeastern coast, forming a small settlement nestled between vertical rock walls and deep water. Dense forests surround the place, and it has a natural airstrip that serves as the only regular access.
During the Pacific War, the US Navy established a base here in 1942 to support operations during a major military campaign. The harbor afterward became a main hub for naval activities in this sector of the region.
Local communities create bark cloth by processing tree bark with traditional techniques and decorating it with geometric designs, practices that remain visible in the region today.
Most visitors reach Tufi by plane, since it is difficult to access by land or sea and the local airstrip receives regular flights. Those with more time can also arrive by boat, though they should expect longer travel times.
The waters offshore contain remains of warships from World War II, including two fast patrol boats that sank in 1943 and now lie beneath the surface. Divers can explore these historical wrecks, which tell of the place's intense naval history.
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