Salamaua (German: Samoahafen) was a small town situated on the northeastern coastline of Papua New Guinea, in Salamaua Rural LLG, Morobe province.

The settlement was built on a minor isthmus between the coast with mountains on the inland side and a headland.

Gold was discovered at Wau and miners came from all over and made for the goldfields via the rough Black Cat Track.

The town was captured by the Japanese on 8 March 1942 during World War II and later retaken by Australian and United States forces led by General Douglas MacArthur on 11 September 1943 during the Salamaua–Lae campaign.

Today the villages of Kela and Lagui occupy the site, as well as holiday houses that are mainly owned by expatriates based in Lae.