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When to go · Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea in November

Good month. Kenu and Kundu Festival in Alotau; rain builds late in the month in the south.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
Low
Papua New Guinea
Prices
Medium
Papua New Guinea

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Papua New Guinea

Kenu and Kundu Festival in Alotau; rain builds late in the month in the south.

Is another month better than November?

November is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in November

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

    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 Riverfine

    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, Tufibest weather

    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.

  • 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 coasthot

    Rainy season roughly December–March; dry season May–October. Temperatures 30–33 °C (86–91 °F) year‑round with high humidity.

  • 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), 5 rain days
  • Alotau30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Bulolo30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Daru30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days
  • Goroka27 °C (81 °F) / 15.7 °C (60 °F), 21 rain days
  • Kainantu28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 13 rain days
  • Kavieng30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kerema31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kimbe31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 11 rain days
  • Kiunga32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days
  • Lae30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days
  • Madang30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Mendi22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Mount Hagen29 °C (84 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 11 rain days
  • Namatanai31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days
  • Rabaul28 °C (82 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days
  • Tari Basin25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days
  • Tufi31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Vanimo31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days
  • Wau30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days
  • Wewak31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 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.

  • Kenu and Kundu Festival (Alotau)

    Early November (check)

    War canoe races and drumming in Milne Bay; Alotau guesthouses fill.

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

    Nov: Good

    Jun: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Nov: Low

    Jun: Medium

  • Prices

    Nov: Medium

    Jun: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Nov: 1

    Jun: 1

November: Kenu and Kundu Festival in Alotau; rain builds late in the month in the south.

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

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in November

Rated best or good this month

  • Islands and Milne Bay

    Best weather of the year (Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufi)

  • Alotau

    Best months: Sep–Nov

  • Kavieng

    Best months: Nov–Apr (surf), Sep–Dec (dives)

  • Kerema

    Best months: May–Nov (dry season)

  • Lae

    Best months: May–Nov

  • Madang

    Best months: May–Nov

  • Mendi

    Best months: May–Nov

  • Namatanai

    Best months: May–Nov (dry season)

  • Tufi

    Best months: Sep–Dec

  • Vanimo

    Best months: Sep–Mar (surf season); May–Nov (dry, easier roads)

  • Wewak

    Best months: Jun–Nov