Things to Do in Papua New Guinea in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Papua New Guinea
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season conditions across most of the country - May sits in that sweet spot where the northwest monsoon has finished and the southeast trade winds haven't fully kicked in yet, giving you consistently clearer skies for highland trekking and coastal diving
- Exceptional visibility for diving and snorkeling - water clarity around Milne Bay, Kimbe Bay, and the Trobriand Islands typically reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft) in May, making it one of the best months for underwater photography and spotting pelagics
- Sing-sing season overlaps with May in several provinces - you'll catch authentic cultural festivals in the highlands where different clans gather for traditional dance competitions, with less tourist presence than the famous Goroka Show in September
- Comfortable highland temperatures for trekking - the Kokoda Track and Mount Wilhelm attempts see daytime temps around 18-22°C (64-72°F) at mid-elevations, warm enough for comfortable hiking but cool enough to avoid the exhaustion that comes with the hotter months
Considerations
- Limited international flight availability - PNG in May doesn't see the tourist numbers of June-September, so Air Niugini and the handful of international carriers sometimes reduce frequency, meaning you'll pay premium prices if you book last-minute or need flexible dates
- Some remote lodges close for maintenance - particularly in Western Province and parts of the Sepik, May marks the transition period when smaller operations shut down for repairs before the busier mid-year season, limiting your accommodation options in truly remote areas
- Village guesthouses can be muddy - while it's technically drier, the ground in many highland villages stays saturated from April rains, so expect muddy paths and less-than-ideal conditions if you're staying in traditional bilum houses or basic village accommodation
Best Activities in May
Highland village treks and cultural immersion
May weather makes the highlands genuinely pleasant for multi-day treks through the Tari Basin, Enga Province, or around Mount Hagen. You'll encounter traditional subsistence farming communities preparing for the dry season harvest, and the 18-22°C (64-72°F) daytime temperatures mean you can actually hike 6-8 hours without the oppressive heat. The ground is firmer than March-April but not yet dusty like August-September. Local guides are readily available since it's before the September festival rush, and you'll pay 15-20% less than peak season rates.
Milne Bay and Kimbe Bay diving expeditions
May delivers some of the year's best diving conditions in PNG's premier underwater destinations. Water temps sit comfortably at 27-29°C (81-84°F), visibility often exceeds 25 m (82 ft), and you'll encounter mating aggregations of certain reef fish species. The currents around Tufi and the Trobriands are manageable, making drift dives accessible even for intermediate divers. Liveaboard availability is good since it's not yet the July-September peak, and you'll find the dive sites significantly less crowded than later in the year.
Sepik River village visits and art collection
The Sepik runs lower in May compared to the January-March flood season, making village access by canoe actually easier and more reliable. You'll see traditional stilt houses fully exposed rather than partially submerged, and the haus tambaran spirit houses are more accessible for viewing ceremonies. May coincides with certain initiation ceremonies in Middle Sepik villages, though witnessing these requires genuine cultural sensitivity and proper invitation. The art you'll find - masks, bilums, carved hooks - tends to be higher quality since artisans have had the wet season to work on pieces.
Kokoda Track trekking attempts
May offers near-ideal conditions for tackling this legendary 96 km (60 mile) wartime trail. The track is significantly drier than the March-April shoulder season but hasn't yet seen the heavy foot traffic of June-August that churns the path into a slippery mess. Stream crossings are manageable, and the risk of being trapped by flash flooding is minimal. Daytime temperatures in the Owen Stanley Range hover around 20-24°C (68-75°F), though nights can drop to 12-15°C (54-59°F) at higher elevations. You'll need 8-10 days for the full trek, and local porter communities are well-prepared but not yet overwhelmed.
Port Moresby markets and cultural centers
If you're flying in and out of Port Moresby anyway, May weather makes exploring the capital more bearable than the hotter October-December period. The National Museum and Art Gallery offers genuine insight into PNG's 800+ language groups, and the Koki and Gordons markets showcase the incredible variety of highland produce that arrives in May as gardens reach peak productivity. The harbor area around Ela Beach sees calmer conditions, and you can arrange day trips to nearby Loloata Island for snorkeling. Security remains a consideration, but daylight hours with organized transport are generally manageable.
Birdwatching expeditions for birds-of-paradise
May sits within the display season for several birds-of-paradise species, particularly in the Tari Basin and Varirata National Park. The Raggiana bird-of-paradise performs morning displays, and you'll have better chances of spotting the elusive Blue bird-of-paradise in mid-montane forests. The drier conditions mean forest trails are more accessible, and dawn starts around 6:15 AM, giving you reasonable wake-up times for those critical early-morning viewing hours. Serious birders should target the Kumul Lodge area or arrange village-based birdwatching around traditional display trees.
May Events & Festivals
Regional sing-sing gatherings in highland provinces
May sees smaller, more authentic sing-sings compared to the massive September festivals. These are often clan-based gatherings where you'll witness genuine cultural exchange rather than tourist-oriented performances. The Enga Provincial Show sometimes falls in late May, and various Eastern Highlands communities hold preparation sing-sings as groups practice for the bigger Goroka Show later in the year. Access requires local connections and cultural sensitivity - you can't just show up.
Village garden harvest celebrations
Throughout the highlands, May marks when sweet potato and taro gardens reach harvest maturity. Individual villages hold small mumu feasts and thanksgiving ceremonies, particularly in the Simbu and Western Highlands provinces. These aren't advertised events - you'll only experience them if you're doing village-based trekking or have arranged cultural homestays. The celebrations involve earth oven cooking, traditional singing, and community gathering that offers genuine cultural insight.