Things to Do in Papua New Guinea in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Papua New Guinea
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Dramatically lower accommodation prices - March sits in the wet season shoulder when hotels drop rates by 30-50% compared to July-September peak. You'll find waterfront guesthouses in Madang for 250-350 Kina per night that would cost 500+ Kina in dry season.
- Lush landscapes at absolute peak - the wet season transforms PNG into an impossibly green version of itself. Waterfalls in the Highlands are running at full force, rainforest canopy is thick, and the vegetation along the Kokoda Track is spectacularly alive. If you're a photographer, this is actually your month.
- Fewer tourists means genuine cultural interactions - March sees maybe 40% of the visitor numbers compared to August. Village homestays are easier to arrange, guides have more availability, and you'll often be the only foreigner at local markets. The Hagen Show prep in the Highlands happens now, and locals are more relaxed about visitors watching rehearsals.
- Bird of Paradise display season continues - March catches the tail end of mating season for several species. Raggiana and Blue Birds of Paradise are still actively displaying in accessible areas around Varirata National Park and Tari Basin, though peak viewing was January-February.
Considerations
- Rain will disrupt your plans regularly - we're talking 18-20 days with rain in March, and when it comes, it's intense. Afternoon downpours last 1-3 hours and can flood roads in Port Moresby and Lae within 30 minutes. Domestic flights get delayed or cancelled 2-3 times per week during heavy weather. Build flexibility into every day.
- Some remote areas become genuinely inaccessible - the Kokoda Track is technically open but sections turn into knee-deep mud. The Sepik River floods its banks, making some village visits impossible. Several Highland roads wash out, particularly the Highlands Highway between Goroka and Madang. If you're planning anything beyond main towns, you need backup plans.
- Heat and humidity are physically draining - 80% humidity at 30°C (86°F) is the kind of weather where you're drenched in sweat just standing still. Walking around Port Moresby markets by 11am feels like moving through soup. Most expats and locals retreat indoors during midday hours. If you're not accustomed to tropical conditions, you'll need 3-4 days just to acclimatize.
Best Activities in March
Port Moresby Cultural Center and Museum Visits
March weather makes indoor cultural experiences genuinely appealing. The National Museum and Art Gallery has excellent Sepik River artifacts and Highlands ceremonial masks in air-conditioned comfort. Morning visits work best before afternoon storms roll in around 2pm. The museum recently expanded its contemporary PNG art section in 2025, and March typically has fewer tour groups crowding the exhibits. Spend 2-3 hours here understanding PNG's 800+ language groups before heading to remote areas.
Varirata National Park Rainforest Walks
Just 42km (26 miles) from Port Moresby, Varirata is actually better in wet season for wildlife. March mornings (6am-9am) offer the best bird watching before clouds roll in - Raggiana Birds of Paradise are still displaying, and the rain brings out tree kangaroos. The 5km (3.1 miles) main loop trail gets muddy but remains passable with proper boots. Afternoon rain makes the forest incredibly atmospheric, though leeches are active. The wet season green is stunning for photography, and you'll likely have trails to yourself.
Madang Snorkeling and Diving Excursions
March sits in the wet season, but Madang's underwater visibility holds surprisingly well at 15-20m (49-66 feet) most days. Water temperature is perfect at 28-29°C (82-84°F). The rain actually reduces boat traffic, meaning dive sites like Barracuda Point and Planet Rock are less crowded. That said, rough seas cancel trips maybe 2-3 days per week, so build scheduling flexibility. The WWII wrecks are accessible year-round. Snorkeling day trips typically run 250-400 Kina, diving 450-650 Kina for two-tank dives.
Highland Village Homestays and Cultural Immersion
March is actually ideal for authentic Highland experiences despite the rain. Villages around Mount Hagen and Goroka are preparing for sing-sing season (peaks in August), and you can watch dance rehearsals and traditional preparation. The mud and rain are just part of Highland life - locals don't stop for weather. Homestays run 150-300 Kina per night including meals. You'll sleep in traditional houses, learn about bride price negotiations, see bilum bag weaving, and eat proper mumu (earth oven cooking). The cultural exchange is deeper in March because there's less tourist pressure.
Sepik River Village Tours
The Sepik floods in March, which actually makes motorized canoe travel easier to remote villages. Water levels are high enough to reach areas inaccessible in dry season. You'll see spectacular traditional houses on stilts, watch master carvers working on ceremonial masks and story boards, and experience genuine river life. The humidity is intense (feels like 35°C/95°F), and mosquitoes are aggressive, but this is PNG's most culturally intact region. Multi-day river trips run 800-1,500 Kina per person per day including guide, boat, and village accommodation.
Port Moresby Market and Food Experiences
Koki Market and Gordons Market are at their most vibrant in March with wet season produce - massive piles of sweet potato, taro, sago, tropical fruits, and fresh fish. Go with a local guide (essential for safety and navigation) early morning (6am-9am) before heat peaks. You'll see betel nut trading, traditional bilum bags, and taste local snacks like saksak (sago pancakes) and coconut bread for 2-5 Kina. The cultural experience is unfiltered and genuine. Afternoon rain typically shuts markets down by 2pm.
March Events & Festivals
Hiri Moale Festival Preparation
While the main Hiri Moale Festival happens in September, March is when Port Moresby communities begin organizing and practicing traditional dances. You might catch informal rehearsals at local community centers, particularly around Koki and Hanuabada villages. It's not a tourist event, but if you're staying with local contacts, they can sometimes bring you to watch preparations. The festival commemorates the traditional Hiri trading voyages, and seeing the behind-the-scenes cultural transmission is actually more interesting than the polished September performances.