Best time to visit Port Douglas
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart recolours live for your heat & sea limits 27°C · sea 29°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.
Default 29 °C is the Beach Climate Index "bathtub" line (Morgan et al.) — where the sea stops being refreshing and starts feeling like a warm bath.
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 Port Douglas
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Port Douglas).
- 1
Port Douglas to Cairns ONE WAY Private Transfer 6 pax - 2
Poseidon Outer Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Port Douglas - 3
Cairns: All Inclusive Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour - 4
Cairns Rainforest River Tubing - 5
Cape Tribulation & Ziplining: Ultimate Daintree - 6
Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge: Full Day Tour - 7
Afternoon & Evening Tour of Paronella Park - 8
Wavedancer Low Isles Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise - 9
Mossman Gorge Daintree Experience Small Groups - 10
Daintree Waters Tour - 11
Full-day Tour at the Atherton Tablelands with Food Tasting - 12
Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail Tour from Port Douglas - 13
Premium Guided Dive Trip - Outer Great Barrier Reef - 14
UTV 4wd Cassowary Falls and Daintree Rainforest Adventure tour - 15
ABC Reef Safaris - 16
Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas - 17
Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise - 18
Daintree, Cape Tribulation & River Cruise from Port Douglas - 19
Barron River Rafting: Cairns, Port Douglas or Self-Drive - 20
1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise - 21
Shaolin Seafood Lunch Sail in Port Douglas - 22
Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Day Tour from Cairns - 23
Silversonic 3 Outer Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from Port Douglas - 24
Morning Daintree Tour with River Cruise from Port Douglas - 25
Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas - 26
Ultimate Daintree Rainforest Wildlife Experience Cruise - 27
Tropical Trike Tours Port Douglas - Private Tour - 28
Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas - 29
Daintree River Cruise - 30
Afternoon Daintree Tour with River Cruise from Port Douglas
Last refreshed 2026-10-18.
Similar climatesBali85% · Byron Bay76% · Puerto Viejo75%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Port Douglas (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 Port Douglas'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 | 25–30 | 35 | 26 | 431 | 16.6 | 81% | 12 | 215 | 10 | Moderate | 1 |
| Feb | 25–30 | 35 | 25 | 396 | 15.8 | 78% | 12 | 203 | 10 | Quiet | 1 |
| Mar | 24–29 | 34 | 23 | 383 | 16.7 | 77% | 15 | 224 | 10 | Quiet | 1 |
| Apr | 24–28 | 32 | 22 | 322 | 14.6 | 76% | 16 | 222 | 9 | Moderate | 2 |
| May | 22–26 | 28 | 17 | 266 | 15.6 | 74% | 17 | 228 | 7 | Busy | 4 |
| Jun | 20–25 | 27 | 14 | 200 | 14.3 | 74% | 15 | 220 | 6 | Peak | 6 |
| Jul | 19–24 | 25 | 14 | 205 | 14.6 | 73% | 15 | 230 | 6 | Peak | 6 |
| Aug | 20–24 | 26 | 15 | 206 | 13.7 | 71% | 16 | 238 | 8 | Moderate | 6 |
| Sep | 21–26 | 27 | 16 | 228 | 14.3 | 71% | 17 | 245 | 10 | Moderate | 5 |
| Oct | 23–28 | 31 | 14 | 181 | 12.9 | 69% | 14 | 274 | 12 | Quiet | 5 |
| Nov | 24–29 | 32 | 18 | 269 | 14.9 | 69% | 14 | 259 | 12 | Quiet | 3 |
| Dec | 25–29 | 34 | 20 | 324 | 16.2 | 77% | 13 | 239 | 10 | Quiet | 1 |
UV Index in Port Douglas by Month
UV index in Port Douglas peaks at 12 (extreme) in November, 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
6/1020–25°C (feels 27°C) · 14 rain days (200h) · 220 sun hours · 74% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
July
6/1019–24°C (feels 25°C) · 14 rain days (205h) · 230 sun hours · 73% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 6 (high)
August
6/1020–24°C (feels 26°C) · 15 rain days (206h) · 238 sun hours · 71% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
1/1025–30°C (feels 35°C) · 26 rain days (431h) · 215 sun hours · 81% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
February
1/1025–30°C (feels 35°C) · 25 rain days (396h) · 203 sun hours · 78% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 14 (extreme)
March
1/1024–29°C (feels 34°C) · 23 rain days (383h) · 224 sun hours · 77% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
April
2/1024–28°C (feels 32°C) · 22 rain days (322h) · 222 sun hours · 76% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 9 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (very high)
May
4/1022–26°C (feels 28°C) · 17 rain days (266h) · 228 sun hours · 74% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 7 (high)
September
5/1021–26°C (feels 27°C) · 16 rain days (228h) · 245 sun hours · 71% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
October
5/1023–28°C (feels 31°C) · 14 rain days (181h) · 274 sun hours · 69% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 12 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
November
3/1024–29°C (feels 32°C) · 18 rain days (269h) · 259 sun hours · 69% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 12 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
December
1/1025–29°C (feels 34°C) · 20 rain days (324h) · 239 sun hours · 77% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 14 (extreme)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Port Douglas
When is the best time to visit Port Douglas?
June is the highest-scoring month (6/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 20–25°C (14 rainy days). The top three months by score are June, July, August.
What is the worst time to visit Port Douglas?
January is the lowest-scoring month (1/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 25–30°C (26 rainy days).
Is Port Douglas 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 Port Douglas?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in November and peaks in July. 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.
What is the UV index in Port Douglas by month?
UV peaks at 12 (extreme) in November and is lowest in June at 6 (moderate). Monthly peak values: Jan 10, Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 9, May 7, Jun 6, Jul 6, Aug 8, Sep 10, Oct 12, Nov 12, 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 Port Douglas in November?
November is the peak UV month in Port Douglas, with a daily-peak UV index of 12 (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 Port Douglas 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. February 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, August, September, October, November, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.