gowhereandwhen.comGo in the dry season, June to October, when Port Moresby and the south coast see barely any rain and the Highlands festivals fill August and September. The wet season, December to April, brings heavy rain to most of the country.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Port Moresby. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jul.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Rainy season.
The year at a glance
Papua New Guinea is the wild edge of the Pacific: 800 languages, Highlands sing-sings, birds of paradise and some of the world's richest reefs. Weather varies hugely by region, so we rate on Port Moresby, the gateway, which has a sharply defined dry season.
June to October is the time: the capital and south coast turn genuinely dry, trails firm up, and the two great Highlands shows, Mount Hagen in August and Goroka in September, land back to back. December to April is wet almost everywhere, though a few coasts (notably around Madang and Milne Bay) run on their own calendars.
Papua New Guinea month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Port Moresby.
JanuaryHot and wet.Good 51
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 180 mm
Hot and wet.
FebruaryHot and wet.Good 49
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 200 mm
Hot and wet.
MarchHot and wet.Good 50
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 190 mm
Hot and wet.
AprilHot with a little rain.Great 72
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 110 mm
Hot with a little rain.
MayHot with a little rain.Ideal 90
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 65 mm
Hot with a little rain.
JuneHot and dryIdeal 97
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 35 mm
Hot and dry.
JulyWarm and dryIdeal 100
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 30 mm
Warm and dry.
AugustWarm and dryIdeal 100
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 25 mm
Warm and dry.
SeptemberHot and dry.Ideal 97
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 30 mm
Hot and dry.
OctoberHot and dry.Ideal 90
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 40 mm
Hot and dry.
NovemberHot with a little rain.Ideal 85
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 60 mm
Hot with a little rain.
DecemberHot and wet.Great 67
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 120 mm
Hot and wet.
Where you go changes when you go
The Highlands
Cool mountain valleys at 1,500 metres and up, home of the sing-sing festivals. Dry season days are mild, nights genuinely cold.
The islands and reefs
Milne Bay, Kimbe Bay and New Ireland: world-class diving year round, with regional wet seasons worth checking.
The Sepik and the coast
River culture, carvings and crocodiles. Boats run year round; the drier months are far more comfortable.
Best time to visit Papua New Guinea for
Festivals
August for the Mount Hagen Show, September for Goroka's, the Pacific's greatest gatherings of tribes and dress.
Trekking
June to October for the Kokoda Track and Highlands walks, when the mud is at its most forgiving.
Diving
Year round in Milne Bay and Kimbe Bay; many divers rate the shoulder months either side of the dry season.
Birds of paradise
The dry season, when display trees are active and forest trails are passable at dawn.
What is on, and when
Highlands shows, Aug to Sep
Mount Hagen and Goroka: hundreds of tribes in full dress, dancing in one arena.
Dry season, Jun to Oct
Port Moresby's rain all but stops, and the trekking and travel season opens.
Watch out
Rainy season
Jan to Mar.
Where to stay in Papua New Guinea
Compare places to stay around Port Moresby. Choose your dates on the booking site.
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Good to know
What is the best time to visit Papua New Guinea?
Is the weather the same across Papua New Guinea?
Is Papua New Guinea safe to travel?
Where else, and when
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