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
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:
- 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 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.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 coasthot
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), 5 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 5 rain days
- Alotau30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
- Bulolo30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
- Daru30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 13 rain days
- Goroka27 °C (81 °F) / 15.7 °C (60 °F), 21 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 60 °F (15.7 °C), 21 rain days
- Kainantu28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 13 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 13 rain days
- Kavieng30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
- Kerema31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days
- Kimbe31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 11 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 11 rain days
- Kiunga32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 16 rain days
- Lae30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 16 rain days
- Madang30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
- Mendi22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain days
- Mount Hagen29 °C (84 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 11 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 11 rain days
- Namatanai31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain days
- Rabaul28 °C (82 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
- Tari Basin25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 10 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 10 rain days
- Tufi31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
- Vanimo31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 16 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 16 rain days
- Wau30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 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.
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.
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)
Best months: Sep–Nov
Best months: Nov–Apr (surf), Sep–Dec (dives)
Best months: May–Nov (dry season)
Best months: May–Nov
Best months: May–Nov
Best months: May–Nov
Best months: May–Nov (dry season)
Best months: Sep–Dec
Best months: Sep–Mar (surf season); May–Nov (dry, easier roads)
Best months: Jun–Nov