Papua New Guinea
The best time to visit
When to go to Papua New Guinea
Go 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 links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jul.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
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.
Month by month
Papua New Guinea month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Port Moresby.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 75°F | 180 mm | Good 51 | Hot and wet. |
| February | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 200 mm | Good 49 | Hot and wet. |
| March | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 190 mm | Good 50 | Hot and wet. |
| April | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 110 mm | Great 72 | Hot with a little rain. |
| May | 30°C / 86°F | 23°C / 73°F | 65 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot with a little rain. |
| June | 29°C / 84°F | 23°C / 73°F | 35 mm | Ideal 97 | Hot and dry. Port Moresby hotels in June |
| July | 28°C / 82°F | 22°C / 72°F | 30 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Port Moresby hotels in July |
| August | 28°C / 82°F | 23°C / 73°F | 25 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Port Moresby hotels in August |
| September | 29°C / 84°F | 23°C / 73°F | 30 mm | Ideal 97 | Hot and dry. |
| October | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 40 mm | Ideal 90 | Hot and dry. |
| November | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 75°F | 60 mm | Ideal 85 | Hot with a little rain. |
| December | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 75°F | 120 mm | Great 67 | Hot and wet. |
By region
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.
Go for
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.
On the calendar
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.
Rainy season
Jan to Mar.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Papua New Guinea
Compare hotels and rentals around Port Moresby, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
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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