Papua New Guinea – When to go
15th March 2019
Whether you seek adventure, natural beauty, or culture, Papua New Guinea serves up a tourism calendar packed full of activities to delight the intrepid traveller.
As the world’s fourth largest country, and due to its position close to the equator, PNG also features a climate that varies throughout the year.
Here’s an insight into the weather of PNG and the best time to enjoy the major activities on offer.
Two monsoon seasons
May to October is generally considered PNG’s drier season and is regarded as the better time of year if you’re planning to travel and explore PNG.
The heavy rainfall of November to April can make some roads impassable while other areas might be entirely cut off.
Saying that PNG is actually affected by a fascinating climate that varies from equatorial to tropical, and includes two monsoon seasons.
From December to April, the northwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall to the northern mountains and slopes, while the southeast monsoon season runs from May to October, affecting the southern mountains and slopes. That means some exposed areas of the country have high rainfall all year round.
Meanwhile, this unique climate lends itself to different activities at different times of the year.
Best surfing
As the wet season kicks in, the PNG surf swell picks up, with November to April traditionally offering the best surf conditions of the year.
World Surfaris notes even during the fringe season of October through to May, you can still catch some decent waves, but June to September should probably be avoided as there is very little surf during the mid-year period.
Best hiking
In many areas of PNG, May to October is typically drier, which makes this the recommended time for hiking trips, including the Kokoda Track.
This period is busier throughout PNG, but on the flip side, it does see the Milne Bay area experiencing more rain due to the southeast monsoon.
Best festivals
Image via PNG TPA / David Kirkland
PNG’s best festivals all coincide with the drier weather. Festival season kicks off with the National Mask Festival and Warwagira at Kokopo from July 10 to 12.
Then it’s a busy line-up that includes:
- The Sepik River Crocodile and Arts Festival from August 5 to 7
- The Enga Cultural Show from August 9 to 11
- The Mt Hagen Show from August 17 to 18
- The Goroka Festival from September 14 to 15
- The Hiri Moale Festival in September
- The Morobe Show from October 12 to 13
- The Huhu War Canoe Festival from October 25 to 26
- The Kenu and Kundu Festival from November 1 to 3
Best diving
PNG offers a huge variety of spectacular diving, and generally, conditions are considered good throughout the year.
However, May to November is considered the best time to dive in PNG. Divezone also notes the rainy season varies between the different dive destinations so it’s useful to adjust your arrival for the island or region you are going to.
Bird watching
PNG is world renowned as a bird watcher’s paradise. If you’re looking to get up close and personal with some of the rarest species in the world, the dry season is the preferred time, offering easier access to bird watching areas, and better weather. June to October is considered ideal.
About Paga Hill Estate
Paga Hill Estate is a world-class, master-planned estate in the heart of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The waterfront site is the first comprehensively planned multi-use development in Papua New Guinea to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike.
The all-inclusive development will include vibrant public spaces and waterfront promenade, luxury hotels, residential apartments, restaurants, retail, commercial space, a Trade, Exhibition & Cultural Centre, restoration of WWII relics, marina precinct and a nearby international cruise liner terminal.
