The weather in Papua New Guinea is similar to the rest of the South Pacific in that it has two distinct seasons, the wet season and the dry season. The overall weather is considered monsoonal in that it is generally temperate, humid and wet all year round. In other words, especially due to Papua New Guinea’s location very close but south of the Equator,   it has tropical weather and tropical fauna as a result.

Technically, the wet season lies between December and March while the dry season is between May and October. Regardless, travelers should remember that these seasons change depending on the island that one visits. For instance, it can be pouring on one island and then sunny on another island. To get a perspective, in Papua New Guinea the temperature on the coast averages between 77 degrees and 86 degrees. For instance, Port Moresby can be pretty hot and humid in the summer. However, depending on the wind and the humidity level, it can feel hotter or colder than that.

Travelers should be warned to pack with light-cotton clothes but also bring a rain jacket and parka to combat the rain. In the mountains, due to the higher altitude, it can get very cold. If travelers know they are traveling or hiking in the highlands, they should bring appropriate clothes.