When to go · Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea, month by month
The best months for Papua New Guinea: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedWet season on the south coast and in the Highlands; roads and airstrips close after rain.Port Moresby and the south coast: rainy · Highlands: rainy · North coast and Sepik: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryMixedWettest stretch in Port Moresby; fine for some island dive areas — ask operators.Port Moresby and the south coast: rainy · Highlands: rainy · North coast and Sepik: rainyCrowds: Low
- MarchMixedRain continues; Easter may fall late in the month.Port Moresby and the south coast: rainy · Highlands: rainy · North coast and Sepik: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilMixedRain easing in the south; first Kokoda treks of the season.Port Moresby and the south coast: rainy · Highlands: fine · North coast and Sepik: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MayGoodDry season starts in Port Moresby; quiet month before the show season.Port Moresby and the south coast: fine · Highlands: fine · North coast and Sepik: fineCrowds: Low
- JuneGreatGood for Kokoda and the Highlands; Trobriand yam harvest season begins (check).Port Moresby and the south coast: best weather · Highlands: cool · North coast and Sepik: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JulyGreatDry in the south and Highlands; National Mask Festival in Kokopo (check dates).Port Moresby and the south coast: best weather · Highlands: cool · North coast and Sepik: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustGreatMount Hagen Show and Kokoda peak; book flights and lodges months ahead.Port Moresby and the south coast: best weather · Highlands: best weather · North coast and Sepik: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberGreatIndependence Day (16 Sep), the Goroka Show and Hiri Moale; the busiest and best-known month.Port Moresby and the south coast: best weather · Highlands: best weather · North coast and Sepik: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatStill mostly dry; good diving conditions begin in many island areas.Port Moresby and the south coast: best weather · Highlands: fine · North coast and Sepik: fineCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGoodKenu and Kundu Festival in Alotau; rain builds late in the month in the south.Port Moresby and the south coast: fine · Highlands: fine · North coast and Sepik: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedWet season returns; Christmas travel fills flights and slows services.Port Moresby and the south coast: hot · Highlands: rainy · North coast and Sepik: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Moresby and the south coastPort Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Track | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Hot |
| HighlandsGoroka, Mount Hagen, Tari, Mount Wilhelm | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | Cool | Cool | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet |
| North coast and SepikMadang, Wewak, the Sepik River | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet |
| Islands and Milne BayRabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufi | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | OK |