Best time to visit Cairns

• “The dry season, from May to October, is celebrated as the prime time to visit Cairns.” backpackerdeals.com
• “For Cairns and Far North Queensland, May to September is a fantastic time to travel.” travelwheels.com.au
• “For many travelers, July is the best month to visit Cairns.” excursionmania.com

5 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

1. January89°F / 75°F · 16 rainy daysChecking fares…Wettest stretch of the year: heavy afternoon downpours, full waterfalls, draining humidity.January to March is the heart of the wet season, with a greater chance of severe weather.Cyclone season runs December through March.
2. February89°F / 75°F · 16 rainy daysChecking fares…Statistically the wettest and cloudiest month, and the quietest for visitors; cyclone risk peaks.Cairns is warm for sea swimming, but cyclone risk is at its seasonal peak.
3. March88°F / 74°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…Still firmly wet season; marine stingers in season and stinger suits standard on reef trips.March or April brings clearer days but hotter, humid weather around 30 C or more.
4. April85°F / 72°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…Turning point: rainfall halves versus March and reef visibility improves.April and October are shoulder months with pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
5. Best timeMay82°F / 68°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Dry season proper begins: rainfall drops sharply and the sea settles.May is a shoulder month that combines good weather with fewer crowds.
6. Best timeJune80°F / 65°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…June, July and August are the busiest months.June has weather similar to July with slightly cooler nights and fewer crowds.
7. Best timeJuly79°F / 63°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Often called the best month: about 25 C by day, low rain, comfortable humidity, but peak tourist season.Humpback whales migrate along the coast.
8. Best timeAugust81°F / 63°F · 5 rainy daysChecking fares…Called arguably the best month: peak winter, low humidity, almost no rain.August can be windy at times, but it rarely affects travel plans.
9. Best timeSeptember84°F / 66°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…One source calls September generally the best time, with great weather and 8 sunny days.Coral spawning is common in September, October and November.
10. October86°F / 69°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Shoulder month with pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
11. November88°F / 73°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…The reef has its annual coral spawning.Marine stinger season starts, running November to May.Coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef
12. December89°F / 75°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…The wet season builds from around December.

Weather: Cairns averages (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

• Coral spawning on the Great Barrier ReefOuter reef off Cairns and Port Douglas, QueenslandEvery November to December

When not to visit Great Barrier Reef?

Summer is stinger season, so a stinger suit is recommended; the dry season's clear skies give the best reef visibility.

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