Type locality of Chrysiptera papuensis, Milne Bay Prov., Waga Waga. Apparently restricted to the northwesten part of the countre from the vicinity of Alotau (Milne Bay Prov.) and Madang (Madang Prov.). Underwater observations done throughout the Louisiade Archipelago and D’Entrecasteaux Is., Tufi in Northern Province, and Kimbe Bay in West New Britain Province. Absent from the outer island groups of New Ireland and Manus provinces (e.g. New Ireland, New Hanover, Manus, Hermit Islands, and Ninigo Islands), where it is replaced by C. sinclairi.