Best time to visit Cairns
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Cairns
18 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Cairns).
- 1
Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran - 2
From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls - 3
Cairns Half Day Tour a Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Experience - 4
Tully River Full-Day Rafting: Cairns, Mission Beach or Self-Drive - 5
Barron River Rafting: Cairns, Port Douglas or Self-Drive - 6
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Flight Adventure - 7
2 Day Daintree Rainforest and Chillagoe Outback Tour - 8
Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise - 9
Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour - 10
Fun, Falls and Forests Day Trip from Cairns - 11
Ocean Free 25 guest Great Barrier Reef & visit Green Island Tour - 12
Cape Tribulation Day Tour from Cairns - 13
Great Barrier Reef Small Group Snorkelling Adventure - 14
Cairns Rainforest River Tubing - 15
Cairns: All Inclusive Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour - 16
Half Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour - 17
Cairns Jet Boat Ride - 18
Cairns: Behana Gorge Rainforest Canyoning Tour
Last refreshed 2026-05-30.
Similar climatesBrisbane74% · Singapore72% · New Orleans61%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Cairns (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Cairns's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24–31 | 36 | 24 | 386 | 16.1 | 74% | 14 | 209 | 10 | Quiet | 1 |
| Feb | 24–31 | 36 | 21 | 333 | 15.9 | 72% | 14 | 198 | 10 | Quiet | 1 |
| Mar | 24–30 | 34 | 20 | 318 | 15.9 | 72% | 16 | 223 | 9 | Quiet | 1 |
| Apr | 23–29 | 32 | 17 | 269 | 15.8 | 72% | 17 | 220 | 8 | Quiet | 3 |
| May | 20–26 | 28 | 13 | 246 | 18.9 | 70% | 18 | 228 | 7 | Quiet | 6 |
| Jun | 19–25 | 27 | 9 | 143 | 15.9 | 68% | 17 | 220 | 6 | Busy | 8 |
| Jul | 18–25 | 25 | 9 | 149 | 16.6 | 67% | 17 | 226 | 6 | Moderate | 8 |
| Aug | 18–25 | 26 | 10 | 171 | 17.1 | 65% | 18 | 229 | 8 | Busy | 7 |
| Sep | 20–27 | 28 | 11 | 176 | 16.0 | 64% | 19 | 244 | 9 | Quiet | 7 |
| Oct | 21–29 | 32 | 7 | 112 | 16.0 | 60% | 16 | 269 | 11 | Quiet | 5 |
| Nov | 22–30 | 33 | 13 | 196 | 15.1 | 61% | 16 | 253 | 11 | Peak | 3 |
| Dec | 24–31 | 35 | 18 | 279 | 15.5 | 69% | 15 | 235 | 10 | Peak | 1 |
UV Index in Cairns by Month
UV index in Cairns peaks at 11 (extreme) in October, dropping to 6 (moderate) in June. January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
June
8/1019–25°C (feels 27°C) · 9 rain days (143h) · 220 sun hours · 68% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
July
8/1018–25°C · 9 rain days (149h) · 226 sun hours · 67% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
August
7/1018–25°C · 10 rain days (171h) · 229 sun hours · 65% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
1/1024–31°C (feels 36°C) · 24 rain days (386h) · 209 sun hours · 74% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
February
1/1024–31°C (feels 36°C) · 21 rain days (333h) · 198 sun hours · 72% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
March
1/1024–30°C (feels 34°C) · 20 rain days (318h) · 223 sun hours · 72% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 9 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
April
3/1023–29°C (feels 32°C) · 17 rain days (269h) · 220 sun hours · 72% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (very high)
May
6/1020–26°C (feels 28°C) · 13 rain days (246h) · 228 sun hours · 70% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high)
September
7/1020–27°C (feels 28°C) · 11 rain days (176h) · 244 sun hours · 64% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 9 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
October
5/1021–29°C (feels 32°C) · 7 rain days (112h) · 269 sun hours · 60% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 11 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
November
3/1022–30°C (feels 33°C) · 13 rain days (196h) · 253 sun hours · 61% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 11 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
December
1/1024–31°C (feels 35°C) · 18 rain days (279h) · 235 sun hours · 69% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 14 (extreme)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Cairns
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
June is the highest-scoring month (8/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 19–25°C (9 rainy days). The top three months by score are June, July, August.
What is the worst time to visit Cairns?
January is the lowest-scoring month (1/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 24–31°C (24 rainy days).
Is Cairns too hot in summer?
7 months (January, February, March, April, October, November, December) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Cairns?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in February and peaks in December. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Cairns have good weather but fewer tourists?
September (climate 7/10, crowd index 13) and May (climate 6/10, crowd index 5) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Cairns by month?
UV peaks at 11 (extreme) in October and is lowest in June at 6 (moderate). Monthly peak values: Jan 10, Feb 10, Mar 9, Apr 8, May 7, Jun 6, Jul 6, Aug 8, Sep 9, Oct 11, Nov 11, Dec 10. January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in Cairns in October?
October is the peak UV month in Cairns, with a daily-peak UV index of 11 (extreme). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in Cairns on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. December is the worst case: typical days average UV 10 (very high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 14 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, March, April, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.