Papua New Guinea in December

Wet season returns; Christmas travel fills flights and slows services.

• Port Moresby and the south coast · Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Trackhot

  Rain shadow: the capital is dry May–November and wet and humid December–April; the Kokoda Track trekking season is April–November, busiest June–September.

• Highlands · Goroka, Mount Hagen, Tari, Mount Wilhelmrainy

  At 1,500–2,000 m days are mild and nights cool; rain falls in every month, least in June–September when the shows are held.

• North coast and Sepik · Madang, Wewak, the Sepik Riverrainy

  Hot and humid all year; the river runs high in the wet season and villages flood, while very low water late in the dry season can stop boats on side channels.

• Islands and Milne Bay · Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufifine

  Rain patterns differ by island; many dive operators rate September–December as the calmest and clearest window. Milne Bay is the only part of PNG regularly brushed by cyclones (roughly December–April).

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas and Boxing Day

  25–26 Dec

  People travel home; services slow down until early January.

Crowds · Papua New Guinea

Medium

Prices · Papua New Guinea

Medium

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →