Things to Do in Papua New Guinea in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Papua New Guinea
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Early wet season means lush landscapes and waterfalls at peak flow - the Highlands are spectacularly green in November, and rivers like those near Tari are running strong enough for proper viewing without being dangerously swollen yet
- Bird of Paradise mating season is ramping up in lowland and mid-altitude forests - you'll catch males starting their elaborate displays, particularly around Ambua Lodge areas and Varirata National Park, with better visibility than deep wet season months
- Fewer tourists than July-September peak season means better availability at guesthouses and cultural festivals feel more authentic - you're not competing with cruise ship groups at Hagen Show preparations or Goroka market days
- Sea conditions around Milne Bay and Kimbe Bay are generally calmer in early November before cyclone season intensifies - dive visibility averages 25-30 m (82-98 ft) and water temps hit a comfortable 28°C (82°F)
Considerations
- November sits at the start of wet season - expect afternoon thunderstorms 60-70% of days, particularly in the Highlands where rainfall can be intense and sudden, making some highland trekking routes muddy and occasionally impassable
- Domestic flight schedules are notoriously unreliable year-round, but November weather increases cancellation rates - budget an extra day buffer between connections, especially for smaller airstrips like Tari or Tabubil where morning fog delays are common
- Malaria risk increases with rainfall in lowland areas - you'll need prophylaxis for anywhere below 1,800 m (5,905 ft), and mosquitoes are more aggressive in the wet season around Port Moresby, Madang, and coastal regions
Best Activities in November
Highland village cultural immersion stays
November timing is actually ideal for experiencing Highland life between major festival seasons - villages are in preparation mode for December gatherings, so you'll see traditional bilum bag weaving, sweet potato garden tending, and mumu earth oven preparations without the staged feeling of peak tourist months. The weather is warm enough that you're not freezing at 2,000 m (6,562 ft) elevations, though afternoon rains mean morning visits work best. Mornings are typically clear until 1-2pm when clouds roll in.
Kokoda Track preparation treks
While the full Kokoda Track gets dangerously slippery in wet season, November is perfect for day sections and preparation hikes around Owers Corner and Sogeri Plateau. The jungle is incredibly lush, and you'll have trails largely to yourself compared to the July-August rush. Leeches are active in wet conditions, so you'll get the full historical experience soldiers faced. Morning departures by 6am give you 4-5 hours before afternoon storms hit.
Sepik River village canoe expeditions
November water levels on the Sepik are rising but not yet at peak flood stage - this sweet spot means villages are accessible by canoe but not waterlogged, and you'll see incredible birdlife as wetlands expand. The humidity is intense at 80-85%, but river breezes make it bearable. This is when you'll see crocodile scarification ceremonies being planned and haus tambaran spirit houses being maintained. Rain showers are brief and warm - locals just keep paddling through them.
Milne Bay and Kimbe Bay diving expeditions
Early November offers some of the year's best diving conditions before December cyclone season - water visibility averages 25-30 m (82-98 ft), water temperature is a comfortable 28°C (82°F), and you'll see mating behavior from reef fish. The famous WWII wrecks around Milne Bay are less crowded than dry season months. Rabaul's volcanic underwater landscapes are particularly dramatic when visibility is high. Surface conditions are generally calm with occasional afternoon squalls that pass quickly.
Varirata National Park bird watching expeditions
Just 45 km (28 miles) from Port Moresby, Varirata is where Bird of Paradise viewing becomes accessible in November - Raggiana Birds of Paradise are starting mating displays in the early morning hours from 5:30-8am. The park's elevation at 800 m (2,625 ft) means slightly cooler temps than the coast, and November's rainfall keeps the forest canopy active with fruit-eating birds. You'll need a local guide who knows the lek sites where males display - these locations change seasonally.
Tufi fjord kayaking and snorkeling adventures
Tufi's unique volcanic fjords are spectacular in November - rainfall creates temporary waterfalls cascading down cliff faces, and the combination of calm morning waters with dramatic afternoon storms makes for incredible scenery. Snorkeling the coral walls and WWII plane wrecks is best in morning hours when visibility peaks at 15-20 m (49-66 ft). Water temperature is warm enough at 27°C (81°F) that you only need a rash guard. Local villages are accessible by kayak for cultural visits, and you'll likely have fjords to yourself.
November Events & Festivals
Goroka Coffee Festival preparations
While the main Goroka Show happens in September, November is coffee harvest season in the Eastern Highlands - you'll see processing at small holder farms, and several coffee cooperatives run informal tastings and farm tours. This is when you experience the actual agricultural life rather than staged performances. The coffee is genuinely world-class, and buying directly from farmers means 100% of money reaches them rather than middlemen.
Village sing-sing preparations in Western Highlands
December is wedding and compensation ceremony season in Highland cultures, which means November is when you'll see communities preparing - bilum bags being woven, pig herds being counted, and traditional dress being repaired. If you're staying in villages around Mount Hagen or Tari, you might witness rehearsals of traditional dances and songs. These aren't tourist events - you're seeing actual cultural practice, which requires respectful observation and proper introductions through your guide.