Best Time to Visit Cairns
Cairns sits in the tropics, with two seasons instead of four: a dry season from May to October and a humid wet season from November to April, when cyclones are possible. Here is when to go — and when to think twice.
Best: May – October
The dry season: warm, mostly rain-free weather, calm seas, the best reef visibility, and no marine stingers, before the humidity and cyclone risk of the wet season arrive.
Second choice: June – July
Peak diving conditions on the reef, dwarf minke whales on the Ribbon Reefs, and comfortable temperatures for the Tablelands and the Daintree.
Think twice: January – March
The height of the wet season, with the highest cyclone risk, marine stingers in the water, and school-holiday prices over the Christmas and New Year period.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24 to 31°C | Low | Low | Peak of the wet season and cyclone risk, marine stingers in the water, waterfalls at their fullest |
| February | 24 to 31°C | Low | Low | Wet season continues, heavy rain and cyclone risk — Cyclone Yasi struck Mission Beach and Tully in February 2011 |
| March | 24 to 31°C | Low | Low | Wet season tapering, occasional cyclones — Cyclone Larry struck Innisfail in March 2006 |
| April | 24 to 31°C | Low | Low | Wet season ending, waterfalls still full, humidity easing towards the dry season |
| May | 17 to 26°C | Medium | Medium | Dry season begins, marine stinger season ending, calmer seas and better reef visibility |
| June | 17 to 26°C | High | High | Dry season in full swing, dwarf minke whales arrive on the Ribbon Reefs, cool mornings on the Atherton Tablelands |
| July | 17 to 26°C | High | High | Peak dry season, humpback whale season begins, best diving and hiking weather of the year |
| August | 17 to 26°C | Very high | High | Busiest month of the dry season, humpback whales offshore, school-holiday crowds on the reef |
| September | 17 to 26°C | High | Medium | Humpback whale season ends, excellent reef visibility, one of the best months for diving |
| October | 17 to 26°C | Medium | Medium | Last of the dry season, still good hiking and reef conditions before the stingers return |
| November | 24 to 31°C | Low | Low | Wet season and marine stinger season begin, coral spawning a few nights after the full moon |
| December | 24 to 31°C | Medium | Medium | Christmas and New Year holidays bring a short crowd spike despite the wet season and cyclone risk |
Best Second choice Think twice