🇦🇺Cairns
Forecast by:  | 12 Sep Sat | 13 Sep Sun | 14 Sep Mon | 15 Sep Tue | 16 Sep Wed | 17 Sep Thu | 18 Sep Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | 25° 15° | 25° 15° | 25° 15° | 27° 15° | 28° 14° | 26° 15° | 25° 16° |
| Precipitation | 77% | 30% | 46% | 41% | 5% | 55% | 61% |
| Humidity | 69% | 70% | 71% | 70% | 68% | 76% | 68% |
| Wind | 29 km/h | 28 km/h | 28 km/h | 27 km/h | 22 km/h | 34 km/h | 21 km/h |
Best time to visit Whitsunday Coast
May, September and October are the highest-rated months, offering relatively dry or sunny conditions for reef, island and sailing trips. June to August are generally dry but milder, while November to April bring more humidity, showers and storm disruption; marine-stinger or jellyfish concerns are also noted in several of these months.
JanuaryTemp (°C)27°Rain (mm)176Sun Hours10Dry Days9
January is hot and humid, around 24-31°C, with frequent downpours, thunderstorms and squalls. Peak marine-stinger season and tropical storm risk can disrupt swimming and boat trips.
FebruaryTemp (°C)27°Rain (mm)169Sun Hours9Dry Days7
February is hot and humid, around 24-31°C, with heavy showers, thunderstorms and squalls. Peak marine-stinger season and tropical storm risk can disrupt swimming and boat trips.
MarchTemp (°C)26°Rain (mm)103Sun Hours8Dry Days10
March is hot, around 23-30°C, with tropical rain, thunderstorms and unsettled seas. Peak marine-stinger season and tropical storm risk can disrupt swimming and boat trips.
AprilTemp (°C)24°Rain (mm)43Sun Hours8Dry Days15
April is warm, around 21-29°C, with tropical showers and occasional storms. Hurricane-like tropical storm risk can cancel flights and wreck the trip.
MayTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)27Sun Hours6Dry Days17
May is warm and relatively dry, around 19-27°C, with manageable humidity and favourable conditions for reef and island trips.
JuneTemp (°C)19°Rain (mm)16Sun Hours6Dry Days22
June is mild and dry, around 17-24°C, with comfortable conditions for sailing and sightseeing. Air and sea temperatures can feel cool during extended swims.
JulyTemp (°C)20°Rain (mm)13Sun Hours6Dry Days24
July is mild and usually dry, around 16-22°C, with clear days for island walks and boat trips. Evenings and swimming can feel cool.
AugustTemp (°C)19°Rain (mm)9Sun Hours8Dry Days26
August is mild and dry, around 16-22°C, with clear weather for sailing and reef excursions. Air and water temperatures can make beach time feel cool.
SeptemberTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)9Sun Hours10Dry Days23
September is sunny and relatively dry, around 17-24°C, with low humidity and favourable conditions for sailing, beaches and reef trips.
OctoberTemp (°C)24°Rain (mm)24Sun Hours11Dry Days22
October is warm, around 19-27°C, with sunny weather and generally dry reef conditions. Jellyfish season begins, affecting swimming.
NovemberTemp (°C)26°Rain (mm)33Sun Hours11Dry Days18
November is hot and humid, around 21-29°C, with tropical showers and rising storm activity. Hurricane-like tropical storm risk can cancel flights and wreck the trip.
DecemberTemp (°C)27°Rain (mm)75Sun Hours11Dry Days15
December is hot and humid, around 23-31°C, with frequent tropical showers and thunderstorms. Hurricane-like tropical storm risk can cancel flights and wreck the trip, while jellyfish season affects swimming.
Sources: australia.com
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Blue Mountain Small Group Tour All Inclusive
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Ocean Rafting: Whitehaven Beach, Snorkelling & Hill Inlet Lookout
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"THE ORIGINAL AND MOST AWARDED TOUR IN THE WHITSUNDAYS" Visit three top destinations whilst having the ride of your life! Each Ocean Rafting day includes an exhilarating ride to world famous Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Beach and Lookout, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks, all in one day! The semi rigid in
Great Ocean Road Reverse Itinerary Boutique Tour - Max 12 Guests
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Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour
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Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
Cost: From 201.16 USD · Duration: 8.5 hours · ★ 4.7 (3,920 reviews)
Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. This 35-metre luxury fast superyacht departs Cairns with 5 hours spent exploring 2 spectacular and exclusive outer Great Barrier Reef locations for an adventure-filled day. Visit two different outer reef locations
Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout Snorkeling Cruise
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Sydney and Bondi Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Cruise
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Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran
Cost: From 201.16 USD · Duration: 9 hours · ★ 4.9 (2,678 reviews)
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Brief
- The Whitsunday Coast is a base for Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, island resorts and Great Barrier Reef trips. Boat transfers and activities can be weather-dependent, so allow flexibility in your itinerary.
- Try Queensland seafood and tropical produce, including locally caught fish, prawns, mud crab, mangoes and pineapple. Avoid unfamiliar large reef fish if local authorities issue ciguatera warnings.
- The region is tropical and strongly sun-exposed. Reef and island excursions can involve long periods on open water with little shade.
- Stinger season generally runs from October to May. Visitors swimming or snorkelling during this period should follow local operator advice and use a stinger suit where recommended (
australia-backpackersguide.com).
Safety and health
- Dengue and Ross River virus are mosquito-borne risks in Queensland. Use repellent, wear covering clothing and choose accommodation with screens or air conditioning (
cdc.gov).
- Ciguatera poisoning can occur after eating contaminated reef fish in Queensland. Avoid or limit large reef fish such as barracuda, coral trout, Spanish mackerel, snapper and trevally, especially when locally caught (
- After heavy rain, avoid floodwater, mud and contaminated soil, and cover cuts or abrasions. Northern Australia has a risk of melioidosis (
- Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, protective clothing and a hat, and reapply sunscreen after swimming. Australian UV levels can cause burns quickly, even in the shade (
wikivoyage.org).
- Yellow fever vaccination is not routinely recommended for Australia, but travellers aged one year or older arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country may need proof of vaccination, including after a qualifying airport transit (
Recent News
- On 22 August 2026, a Jetstar flight from Whitsunday Coast Airport to Sydney returned to the terminal after stopping on the runway because of a passenger medical emergency. The incident affected that flight, but no continuing airport disruption was reported (
dailymail.com).
