Is Port Moresby sunnier than Cairns?

Cairns is the sunnier: about 2,763 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,354 — a difference of 409 hours.

Which is warmer, Port Moresby or Cairns?

Port Moresby is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 32°C (90°F) versus 28°C.

Which is better in winter (November–February), Port Moresby or Cairns?

Cairns scores better across November–February: 71/100 average versus 65, with daytime highs around 31°C.

Which has the warmer sea, Port Moresby or Cairns?

Both peak at about 31°C (88°F); month-by-month sea temperatures for both are on this page.

Port Moresby vs Cairns: which is sunnier?

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea vs 🇦🇺 Australia · 842 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Cairns is the sunnier overall: about 2,763 hours of sunshine a year to Port Moresby's 2,354. Cairns has the higher Sunshine Score in 9 of 12 months, Port Moresby in 1 (2 within 2 points).

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Port Moresby	Cairns
Sunshine hours / year	2,354	2,763
Sunniest month	July (88/100)	August (90/100)
Nov–Feb average score	65/100	71/100
Jun–Aug average score	81/100	87/100
Rain / year	1,285 mm	1,935 mm
Warmest sea	31°C / 88°F	31°C / 88°F
Peak midday UV	11 (extreme)	12 (extreme)

Port Moresby vs Cairns month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Port Moresby	Cairns	Port Moresby	Cairns	Port Moresby	Cairns	Port Moresby	Cairns
January	65	68	31°	31°	225	352	31°	31°
February	65	68	30°	30°	153	392	30°	31°
March	65	68	30°	29°	292	392	31°	29°
April	67	68	31°	28°	139	191	31°	28°
May	79	76	31°	26°	75	103	28°	26°
June	80	84	32°	25°	69	63	27°	24°
July	88	86	32°	25°	24	53	26°	24°
August	76	90	33°	26°	42	31	26°	24°
September	68	90	34°	28°	40	31	26°	25°
October	59	84	35°	30°	47	62	27°	27°
November	64	79	34°	31°	70	86	29°	29°
December	65	68	33°	32°	109	179	31°	30°

The sunnier month by month: Jan Cairns · Feb Cairns · Mar Cairns · Apr even · May Port Moresby · Jun Cairns · Jul even · Aug Cairns · Sep Cairns · Oct Cairns · Nov Cairns · Dec Cairns.

When to pick which

November–February: Cairns (average score 71/100 vs 65). Daytime highs are similar (32°C vs 31°C).
March–May: too close to call — Port Moresby averages 70/100, Cairns 71/100. Port Moresby is the warmer, around 31°C daytime highs vs 28°C.
June–August: Cairns (average score 87/100 vs 81). Port Moresby is the warmer, around 32°C daytime highs vs 25°C.
September–October: Cairns (average score 87/100 vs 64). Port Moresby is the warmer, around 35°C daytime highs vs 29°C.

Sea temperature

Both seas peak at 31°C / 88°F. Swimmable water (21°C+): Port Moresby all year, Cairns all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Port Moresby weather by month · Cairns weather by month · Best time to visit Australia.

More comparisons: Port Moresby vs Jayapura · Port Moresby vs Merauke · Port Moresby vs Honiara · Cairns vs Townsville · Cairns vs Hamilton · Cairns vs Proserpine · all head-to-heads