Duke of York Islands, Island group in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
The Duke of York Islands consist of thirteen coral formations positioned between New Ireland and New Britain. They span roughly 58 square kilometers and create a distinctive archipelago that forms part of East New Britain Province's geography.
Philip Carteret discovered these islands in 1767 and named them after Prince Edward, the younger brother of King George III. The archipelago later became significant in European exploration and settlement patterns across the Pacific region.
Local inhabitants of the Duke of York Islands maintain traditional fishing practices and agricultural methods passed down through generations of Melanesian communities.
The islands feature several harbors, with Balanawang Harbour serving as a main access point for boats. This location makes the archipelago a natural waypoint for travel between the larger surrounding islands.
The wreck of submarine HMAS AE1 rests at approximately 300 meters depth near these islands and is protected as a war grave. This submerged site represents one of the region's lesser-noticed archaeological reminders of the First World War.
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