When to go · Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea in October
Great month. Still mostly dry; good diving conditions begin in many island areas.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- Medium
- Papua New Guinea
- Prices
- Medium
- Papua New Guinea
Verdict
Still mostly dry; good diving conditions begin in many island areas.
Is another month better than October?
No other month rates higher than October for Papua New Guinea in this guide.
Weather in October
- Port Moresby and the south coast · Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Trackbest weather
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 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 Moresby31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 3 rain days
- Alotau30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 13 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 13 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
- Goroka27 °C (81 °F) / 15.4 °C (60 °F), 21 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 60 °F (15.4 °C), 21 rain days
- Kainantu28 °C (82 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 14 rain days
- Kavieng31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 11 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 11 rain days
- Kerema31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain days
- Kimbe31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
- Kiunga32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
- Lae30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 13 rain days
- Madang31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 12 rain days
- Mendi21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 10 rain days
- Mount Hagen30 °C (86 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 10 rain days
- Namatanai31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 11 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 11 rain days
- Rabaul28 °C (82 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 9 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 9 rain days
- Tari Basin24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 9 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 9 rain days
- Tufi31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days
- Vanimo31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 14 rain days
- Wau29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
- Wewak31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Papua New Guinea
- Medium
- Prices · Papua New Guinea
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Papua New Guinea, side by side.
Verdict
Oct: Great
Jun: Great
Crowds
Oct: Medium
Jun: Medium
Prices
Oct: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Oct: 0
Jun: 1
October: Still mostly dry; good diving conditions begin in many island areas.
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 October
Rated best or good this month
Port Moresby and the south coast
Best weather of the year (Port Moresby, Central Province, Kokoda Track)
Islands and Milne Bay
Best weather of the year (Rabaul, Kimbe, Kavieng, Alotau, Tufi)
Dry and hot.
Best months: Sep–Nov
Best months: May–Oct (dry season)
Best months: May–Oct
Best months: Nov–Apr (surf), Sep–Dec (dives)
Best months: May–Nov (dry season)
Best months: May–Oct (dry season, better bird activity)
Best months: May–Nov
Best months: May–Nov
Best months: May–Nov