Things to Do in Papua New Guinea in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Papua New Guinea
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
90°F (32°C)
High Temp
74°F (23°C)
Low Temp
3.9 inches (99 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index 8 - unshaded sunburn risk peaks 10 AM-2 PM
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December is when the wet season finally loosens its grip. Afternoon storms shrink from two-hour monsoons to sharp 30-minute bursts, leaving mornings crisp and good for tackling sections of the Kokoda Trail near Port Moresby.
- + Milne Bay settles into glass-flat seas this month. When surface chop drops to near-zero after mid-December, snorkelers at Gonubalabala Island can spot manta rays gliding through the clear water.
- + Village festivals hit their stride as yam harvests wrap up. In the Trobriand Islands, you'll catch the final harvest dances performed in full feather headdress regalia, something that happens only in December.
- + Hotel rates in Madang drop 30-40% as Australian holidaymakers head home. This opens up overwater bungalows at places like Jais Aben Resort that typically book six months ahead.
Considerations
- − The Highlands Highway between Goroka and Mount Hagen turns to axle-deep mud after any rainfall. What takes 4 hours in August becomes an 8-hour crawl with frequent landslide delays.
- − Saltwater crocodiles move closer to shore in December as freshwater rivers swell. Swimming at popular spots like Ela Beach requires local knowledge about recent sightings.
- − Domestic flight schedules compress dramatically as pilots avoid late afternoon storm cells. Your 2 PM flight from Rabaul to Port Moresby might depart at 6 AM instead.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Milne Bay Manta Ray Snorkeling Expeditions
December's flat seas and 30-meter (98-foot) visibility make this the month for swimming with manta rays at Gonubalabala Island. The plankton bloom triggered by nutrient-rich runoff attracts feeding mantas to cleaning stations where small fish pick parasites off their wings. Morning departures from Alotau give you four hours on the reef before afternoon weather rolls in.
Booking Tip: Book through licensed dive operators at least 10 days ahead. December mantas are predictable but boat space is limited. Look for operators with marine biologist guides who can identify individual rays by their spot patterns.
Kokoda Track Day Hiking Sections
With humidity dropping from the oppressive 90% of November to a manageable 70%, December mornings offer the best conditions for hiking sections of the famous Kokoda Track around Owers' Corner. The trail's red clay dries enough for traction but hasn't yet turned to slippery dust. Start at 5:30 AM to reach Isurava Memorial by 10 AM before the heat becomes brutal.
Booking Tip: Local village guides are essential, they'll know which river crossings are safe after recent rainfall. Book village guides through your accommodation rather than online to ensure money reaches local communities directly.
Mount Wilhelm Sunrise Treks
At 4,509 m (14,793 ft), Papua New Guinea's highest peak offers December's clearest pre-dawn skies. The mountain creates its own weather system above the clouds, and December's reduced atmospheric moisture means sunrise views extend to the distant Solomon Sea. The approach from Keglsugl village takes 6 hours through moss forests that drip with morning dew.
Booking Tip: You'll need to arrange accommodation at the base camp hut through village elders, there's no online booking system. Bring cash for the village guest fee and guide services.
Trobriand Island Yam Harvest Celebrations
December marks the climax of yam harvest celebrations in the Trobriand Islands, where massive yam exchanges between villages accompany traditional dances performed in elaborate feather costumes. The smell of roasted yam mingles with frangipani blossoms as villagers carry 3-meter (10-foot) yam poles to central meeting grounds. This is the only time you'll see the famous yam houses fully stocked.
Booking Tip: Access requires charter flights from Port Moresby to Losuia, book through Air Niugini at least two weeks ahead as these flights fill with locals returning for harvest. Village stays must be arranged through local councils, not tour companies.
Sepik River Crocodile Festival Photography Tours
The Sepik River's December water levels allow motorized dugout canoes to reach remote villages where the annual crocodile festival shows scarification ceremonies and traditional sing-sing dances. The higher water means you can photograph longhouse exteriors without the muddy banks of dry season. Morning light filters through mangrove roots creating dramatic photography conditions.
Booking Tip: River transport only runs when water levels permit, check with your accommodation about current conditions. Most villages require 48-hour advance notice for visitor permits through local ward councillors.
Rabaul Volcano and Hot Springs Tours
December's reduced seismic activity makes it safer to approach Tavurvur's active crater rim, where you can smell sulfur vents and feel the ground's warmth through your boots. The combination of recent rain and volcanic heat creates steam vents good for dramatic photography. The hot springs at Matupit Island reach their maximum temperature differential with the ocean, creating natural jacuzzis.
Booking Tip: Volcano access requires local guides who know current vent activity, check with Rabaul Hotel's tour desk for daily conditions. Morning visits avoid the steam clouds that obscure views by afternoon.
Where to Stay in Papua New Guinea in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Hohola Yam Festival
Port Moresby's largest urban celebration of traditional harvest culture, where Highland dancers perform in the city center against a backdrop of modern office buildings. The smell of mumu (earth oven) cooking drifts through crowds as students from local schools compete in traditional costume contests.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Papua New Guinea Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best kaukau (sweet potato) comes from Tambul in the Western Highlands, ask your hotel to source some for breakfast, it's served roasted with coconut cream
Local PMV trucks between villages cost a fraction of tour transport, but you'll share the tray with live chickens and sacks of betel nut - the ride is safer than you might imagine
Most villages expect visitors to arrive with a small gift - 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of rice or tinned fish costs little yet signals respect
Betel nut chewing is everywhere and leaves red spit stains on every surface - refuse politely if offered by saying 'mi no kaikai betel'
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming credit cards work everywhere - even Port Moresby's main supermarket only accepts cash or local bank cards
Wearing shorts to village meetings - long pants and collared shirts are required for any formal interaction
Booking domestic flights too tight - December storms trigger 2-3 hour delays that ripple through the entire network
Not securing the right visa - tourist visas demand proof of onward travel within 60 days, and immigration enforces this strictly
Book Experiences in Papua New Guinea
Top-rated things to do in Papua New Guinea this December
Explore More Activities in Papua New Guinea
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Papua New Guinea.
See All Papua New Guinea Tours on Viator