Australia
Things to do in Cairns
Scuba diving, snorkeling and day trips and more, with the best month for each. Cairns is most comfortable for sightseeing in July and August.
Photo: Frances76 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Popular tours in Cairns
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from CairnsFrom $196View 
Cairns History Walking TourFrom $38View 
Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner CruiseFrom $103View 
Fitzroy Island Transfers and Tours from CairnsFrom $78View 
Green Island Reef Cruise - Half-Day Trip from CairnsFrom $78View 
Kuranda Express: Skyrail & Railway Self-Guided Tour w/ TransfersFrom $157View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
What to book in Cairns
Cairns weather by month
Averages for Cairns, 1991–2020. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 89 (32) | 89 (32) | 88 (31) | 85 (30) | 82 (28) | 80 (27) | 79 (26) | 81 (27) | 84 (29) | 86 (30) | 88 (31) | 89 (32) |
| Low °F (°C) | 75 (24) | 75 (24) | 74 (23) | 72 (22) | 68 (20) | 65 (19) | 63 (17) | 63 (17) | 66 (19) | 69 (21) | 73 (23) | 75 (24) |
| Rainy days | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 |
| Sea °F (°C) | 84 (29) | 84 (29) | 83 (29) | 81 (27) | 78 (26) | 76 (24) | 74 (24) | 75 (24) | 77 (25) | 79 (26) | 81 (27) | 83 (29) |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:57 pm | 6:50 pm | 6:32 pm | 6:08 pm | 5:53 pm | 5:51 pm | 5:59 pm | 6:08 pm | 6:12 pm | 6:17 pm | 6:28 pm | 6:46 pm |
Day trips from Cairns
- Kuranda 12 mi
- A rainforest village reached by scenic railway and cable car.
- Daintree Rainforest 71 mi
- Ancient rainforest where it meets the reef at Cape Tribulation.
- Green Island 17 mi
- A coral cay on the reef, 45 minutes by boat.
- Fitzroy Island 15 mi
- A national-park island with snorkelling and walking trails.
- Mission Beach 69 mi
- A long beach backed by rainforest, known for skydiving.
- Port Douglas 37 mi
- A resort town and gateway to the outer reef.
Questions
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
For walking around and sightseeing, July and August. December is the warmest month at about 89°F (32°C), and July the coolest at about 79°F (26°C).
What is the rainiest month in Cairns?
January, with about 16 rainy days. Book outdoor tours early in your stay that month, so there's room to move them.
When is the sea warmest in Cairns?
February, at about 84°F (29°C). It's coolest in July, at about 74°F (24°C).