The Cairns beaches are a string of tropical beachfront communities on the northern side of the city, and the water is usually calm. Most visitors base themselves here for swimming, hired kayaks and easy access to the reef and rainforest.
This page covers how the beaches are set up, what the climate does through the year, where to stay and what is within reach. For the wider picture, start with our Cairns destination guide.
What the Cairns beaches are like
Accommodation in the beach areas is often right on the beachfront, so the beachside facilities are close by. The beaches themselves usually have calm water. They are patrolled all year round, and during the wet season they are equipped with stinger nets. Check current conditions and local signage before you swim.
Most of the beaches have rental operators hiring out kayaks, surf boards, wind surfers, catamarans and even jet skis. Local tour companies run diving and snorkelling tours, fishing charters and trips to wildlife parks. Most beachfront areas also have a choice of restaurants and cafes.
Palm Cove and Yorkeys Knob
Palm Cove
Palm Cove has two golf courses, so you can bring your clubs. If you are travelling with a caravan or camper, NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park offers powered sites and cabins. Contact the park for current prices and availability.
Yorkeys Knob
Yorkeys Knob has a marina with charter boats and food outlets. We reckon it suits anyone who wants to be out on the water rather than just beside it.
Cairns beaches weather by month
The city sits on the tropical northeast coast, and the figures below are 1991 to 2020 averages for the Cairns area. The wet season runs through the first quarter, with February the wettest month at about 263 mm of rain. August to October is the driest stretch, with September averaging just 17 mm over about 5 rain days.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.3 | 24.6 | 241.9 | 21.2 | 27.4 |
| February | 29.2 | 24.8 | 262.9 | 21.0 | 23.9 |
| March | 28.3 | 24.1 | 216.8 | 18.2 | 27.0 |
| April | 26.8 | 22.9 | 103.0 | 14.0 | 28.3 |
| May | 25.2 | 21.2 | 48.0 | 10.0 | 29.3 |
| June | 23.6 | 19.5 | 29.5 | 7.4 | 28.5 |
| July | 23.0 | 18.6 | 30.3 | 6.6 | 29.2 |
| August | 23.7 | 18.8 | 24.9 | 5.7 | 30.0 |
| September | 25.7 | 20.2 | 17.2 | 4.8 | 29.8 |
| October | 27.1 | 21.7 | 35.7 | 7.1 | 30.7 |
| November | 28.4 | 23.2 | 60.5 | 10.9 | 29.6 |
| December | 29.2 | 24.2 | 148.7 | 16.3 | 29.0 |
Daytime maximums stay between about 23 and 29 degrees all year. October has the most sunny days at 30.7, and July is the coolest month, with overnight lows around 19 degrees.
Where to stay near the beach
Resort pools are a feature of the area, and some resorts also have gyms and run their own activities. Spa treatments are a local speciality. Browse Cairns resorts, or look at Cairns family accommodation if you are travelling with children. Our Cairns accommodation pages cover the rest, including apartments and hotels.
For a caravan base inland, BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut in Woree has powered sites and cabins.
Beyond the sand
Cairns is a base for two World Heritage areas, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Planning ideas are on our Cairns activities page. These tours are listed on this site:
- Private Half Day Tour: World Heritage Rainforest and Waterfall, 5 hours, from AUD 1171, visiting Barron Falls.
- Small Group Waterfall Wetlands+ Skyrail, 9 hours 30 minutes, from AUD 317.
- Zoom Around Cairns scenic flight, 10 minutes, from AUD 189.
- Tomb of the Pharaohs and Cairns Aquarium combo, 2 to 3 hours, from AUD 107.35, a useful option for a rainy day.
Check current prices and times with the operator before booking.
Getting around
Port Douglas is 68 km from Cairns, about 69 minutes by road. The Atherton Tablelands are 80 km away, about 82 minutes. The Great Barrier Reef is 298 km by road, about 815 minutes, so most visitors treat the reef as a separate outing. For more on the region, see Tourism and Events Queensland, and for the city's history and background, see Wikipedia: Cairns.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Cairns beaches patrolled?
Yes, they are patrolled all year round, and stinger nets are in place during the wet season.
Can you hire gear at the beach?
Most beaches have rental operators hiring out kayaks, surf boards, wind surfers, catamarans and jet skis.
When is the driest time to visit?
August to October is the driest period. September averages about 17 mm of rain, against about 263 mm in February.
