When to go · Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea in April
Mixed month. Rain easing in the south; first Kokoda treks of the season.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Papua New Guinea
- Prices
- Medium
- Papua New Guinea
Verdict
Rain easing in the south; first Kokoda treks of the season.
Is another month better than April?
April is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatGood for Kokoda and the Highlands; Trobriand yam harvest season begins (check).
- JulyGreatDry in the south and Highlands; National Mask Festival in Kokopo (check dates).
- AugustGreatMount Hagen Show and Kokoda peak; book flights and lodges months ahead.
- SeptemberGreatIndependence Day (16 Sep), the Goroka Show and Hiri Moale; the busiest and best-known month.
Weather in April
- Port Moresby and the south coast · Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Trackrainy
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 Wilhelmfine
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).
Temperatures 15–22 °C (59–72 °F); rain year‑round, wetter Dec–Mar.Temperatures 59–72 °F (15–22 °C); rain year‑round, wetter Dec–Mar.
- New Britain: Coastal New Britain · Rabaul and Kimbe coastsdry
Dry season May–September offers calm seas and best diving visibility.
- New Ireland: New Ireland coast · entire islandrainy
Rainfall peaks Dec–Mar; trade‑wind season May–Oct offers steadier seas.
- Sepik: Sepik basin · lowland river and coastrainy
Rainy season roughly December–March; dry season May–October. Temperatures 30–33 °C (86–91 °F) year‑round with high humidity.Rainy season roughly December–March; dry season May–October. Temperatures 86–91 °F (30–33 °C) year‑round with high humidity.
- Southern Papua New Guinea: Southern PNG coast · Port Moresby areadry
Dry season April–October offers cooler temps and reliable flights; wet season brings heavy rain and possible flight disruptions.
- Port Moresby32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
- Alotau31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
- Bulolo31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days
- Daru31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 14 rain days
- Goroka26.9 °C (80 °F) / 15.7 °C (60 °F), 23 rain days80 °F (26.9 °C) / 60 °F (15.7 °C), 23 rain days
- Kainantu31 °C (88 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 15 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 15 rain days
- Kavieng31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
- Kerema31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 18 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 18 rain days
- Kimbe31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
- Kiunga31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 17 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 17 rain days
- Lae31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 14 rain days
- Madang31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days
- Mendi22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
- Mount Hagen30 °C (86 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
- Namatanai30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 16 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 16 rain days
- Rabaul31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 10 rain days
- Tari Basin26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 10 rain days
- Tufi31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 16 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 16 rain days
- Vanimo31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 16 rain days
- Wau31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 9 rain days
- Wewak31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days
Festivals and holidays
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.
Good Friday to Easter Monday
Mar–Apr (Easter, moves yearly)
Four days of church services and family travel; shops and offices close.
Wet season
About December to April · Port Moresby
Heavy rain, flooded roads and flight delays.
Easter check
Moves yearly · Port Moresby
Public holidays; offices and shops close.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Papua New Guinea
- Low
- Prices · Papua New Guinea
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Papua New Guinea, side by side.
Verdict
Apr: Mixed
Jun: Great (better)
Crowds
Apr: Low
Jun: Medium
Prices
Apr: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Apr: 3
Jun: 1
April: Rain easing in the south; first Kokoda treks of the season.
June: Good for Kokoda and the Highlands; Trobriand yam harvest season begins (check).
Papua New Guinea: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast