Port Moresby in May

May weather, activities, events & insider tips

May Weather in Port Moresby

31°C (87°F) High Temp

23°C (74°F) Low Temp

0.0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

Dry season transition - only 0.0mm rainfall means morning activities rarely get cancelled, though afternoon storms provide cooling relief
Peak wildlife activity at Varirata National Park - May marks the end of breeding season for birds of great destination, making them highly active and visible between 6-9am
Festival season - May hosts the Hiri Moale Festival (mid-month), Port Moresby's largest cultural celebration with traditional dancing, canoe races, and authentic Motu cuisine
Perfect diving conditions - southeast trades keep waters calm at Loloata Island, with 25-30m (82-98ft) visibility and water temperatures at comfortable 27°C (81°F)

Considerations

Afternoon thunderstorms hit 60% of days around 2-4pm, lasting 30-45 minutes with intense downpours that flood streets temporarily
High humidity (70%) combined with UV index of 8 makes midday outdoor activities exhausting - locals retreat indoors 11am-3pm
Tourist shoulder season pricing - accommodation rates 20-30% higher than April but without full dry season guarantees of June-September

Best Activities in May

Varirata National Park Bird Watching Tours

May is exceptional for spotting Papua New Guinea's endemic bird species. The end of breeding season means birds of great destination, hornbills, and cassowaries are most active during cool morning hours (6-9am). The 10km (6.2 miles) of trails are dry but not dusty, and afternoon storms provide natural air conditioning after morning hikes.

Booking Tip: Book guided tours 5-7 days ahead through eco-certified operators. Tours typically cost K150-250 (USD $40-65) and include transport from central Port Moresby. Start times are crucial - insist on 6am departures to maximize wildlife sightings before heat peaks.

Loloata Island Diving and Snorkeling

May offers Port Moresby's best underwater visibility at 25-30m (82-98ft) with calm seas from southeast trade winds. Water temperature sits at perfect 27°C (81°F), and reduced plankton from dry conditions means crystal-clear diving at Suzie's Bommie and Lion Island sites. Morning departures avoid afternoon storms completely.

Booking Tip: Full-day dive packages range K300-500 (USD $80-130) including equipment and lunch. Book 10-14 days ahead as only 3 operators run daily trips. PADI certification required for deep sites - refresher courses available for K100 (USD $26).

Traditional Markets and Motu Cultural Tours

May's Hiri Moale Festival preparation transforms local markets into cultural showcases. Koki Market becomes a hub for traditional crafts, while Boroko Market offers seasonal fruits like rambutan and mangosteen. Morning market tours (7-10am) avoid both heat and afternoon storms while capturing authentic daily life.

Booking Tip: Cultural walking tours cost K80-150 (USD $20-40) and should include Koki Fish Market, Boroko this destination, and this destination area. Book through community-based operators who provide cultural context and language interpretation. Avoid Friday afternoons due to weekend market prep crowds.

Adventure Park Papua Nature Walks

The 200-hectare (494-acre) park showcases PNG's biodiversity in controlled conditions perfect for May's variable weather. Elevated walkways remain accessible during brief afternoon storms, and the orchid houses provide air-conditioned respite during peak heat. Tree kangaroo feeding times (8am and 4pm) align perfectly with comfortable temperatures.

Booking Tip: Entry fees K40-60 (USD $10-15) with guided nature walks additional K50 (USD $13). Book combination packages including cultural performances for K120 (USD $31). The park's indoor facilities make it ideal for afternoon storm backup plans.

Historical WWII Trail Tours

May's clear morning conditions provide excellent visibility for exploring this destination and the Kokoda Trail starting points. Cooler temperatures make the uphill sections manageable, and dry trails reduce slip hazards. The 2km (1.2 mile) memorial walk offers panoramic city views best captured in morning light.

Booking Tip: Historical tours range K100-200 (USD $26-52) including transport and guide commentary. Book ANZAC-accredited guides for authentic historical context. Tours typically run 4-5 hours with multiple rest stops - essential in May's building heat and humidity.

Ela Beach Sunset and Night Markets

May evenings offer spectacular sunsets at Ela Beach with reduced haze from dry season conditions. The adjacent craft markets operate 4-9pm, perfectly timed after afternoon storms clear. Local food vendors serve traditional dishes like kokoda (raw fish salad) and saksak (sago starch) at their seasonal best.

Booking Tip: Beach access is free, with food and crafts typically K10-50 (USD $3-13) per item. Evening cultural shows on weekends cost K20-40 (USD $5-10). No advance booking needed, but arrive by 5:30pm for best sunset positioning and market selection.

May Events & Festivals

Mid May

Hiri Moale Festival

Port Moresby's premier cultural celebration honoring the traditional Hiri trading voyages of the Motu people. Features authentic canoe races in Port Moresby Harbor, traditional dancing competitions, and the largest display of PNG cultural crafts and foods. The festival transforms Ela Beach into a cultural village with demonstrations of traditional skills like pottery and weaving.

Late May

PNG Coffee Festival

Celebrates PNG's world-renowned highland coffee with tastings, roasting demonstrations, and direct-from-farm sales. Local coffee cooperatives showcase their May harvest with special pricing on premium beans. Combines with cultural performances and traditional food pairings featuring coffee-rubbed meats.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Quick-dry hiking boots with ankle support - trails can be muddy after May's brief afternoon storms, and rocky terrain requires sturdy soles

Lightweight rain jacket or poncho - afternoon thunderstorms produce intense downpours lasting 30-45 minutes with little warning

SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen - UV index of 8 combined with reflection off water creates high burn risk, reapply every 90 minutes

Breathable cotton or bamboo clothing - avoid polyester which becomes unbearable in 70% humidity, light colors reflect heat better

Insect repellent with 30% DEET - May's variable conditions create ideal breeding for mosquitoes, dengue risk is present year-round

Waterproof phone case - essential for boat trips and sudden storms, also protects against high humidity condensation

Electrolyte supplements or packets - sweating in high humidity depletes salts faster than in dry climates, local pharmacies stock limited varieties

Wide-brimmed hat with chin strap - morning sun is deceptively strong, and afternoon winds from storms can be sudden

Quick-dry towel - hotel towels dry slowly in humidity, essential for multiple daily showers most visitors need

Flip-flops or water shoes - many activities involve beach or boat access, and sudden street flooding from storms requires quick footwear changes

Insider Knowledge

Plan outdoor activities for 6-11am window - locals call this 'morning time' and it's when temperatures are most comfortable at 24-27°C (75-81°F) before humidity builds

Download the PNG Weather app - it provides hyper-local storm warnings that are more accurate than international weather services, storms move fast across the harbor

Carry small denomination kina notes (K2, K5, K10) - many vendors and taxi drivers can't change K50 or K100 notes, and ATMs often dispense only large bills

Book accommodation in Boroko or Downtown areas - these have the best generator backup systems for power outages that commonly follow afternoon storms, avoiding hours without air conditioning

Avoid These Mistakes

Scheduling afternoon outdoor tours (2-5pm) - this is when 60% of daily storms hit, and even locals avoid outdoor activities during this window

Underestimating hydration needs - the combination of 31°C (87°F) temperatures and 70% humidity requires 3-4 liters of water daily, twice what many visitors expect

Wearing dark clothing for cultural sites - black or navy clothing becomes unbearably hot in direct sun, and many sites require modest covering with limited shade