AI-generatedAirlie Beach (Whitsundays) at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – May, Aug – Nov
- Warmest month
- Dec · 31°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 28.7°
- Sunshine a year
- 3,400 h
- Rain a year
- 995 mm
- Climate
- Subtropical
- Time zone
- UTC+10
- Elevation
- 31 m
Climate in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) has a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. December is the warmest month with average highs of 31 °C, while July is the coolest at 23 °C. With around 3,400 hours of sunshine a year, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is very sunny; October is the sunniest month with 10.6 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: April – May, August – November
Good forBeach & swimming
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 24°
- Midday, 13:00: about 29°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 28°
- Evening, 20:00: about 24°
- Night, 23:00: about 22°
05:3518:07
Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 05:21–06:04 · evening 17:37–18:20
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:13–05:21 · evening 18:20–18:29
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in October?
In October, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and nights cool down to about 20 °C. The sea averages 25.2 °C – pleasant for swimming. With around 11 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 24 mm in total. On about 9 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 32 min05:35 – 18:07
- UV index
- 12 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 14 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 20 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 34 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 9 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+10Australia/Brisbane
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %100 %
- Seaweight 25 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %100 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %96 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
Sea temperature in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 24.4 – 26.2 °C
Swimming season: All year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) ranges from 22.2 °C in August to 28.7 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in December. From May to June the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 27.6 and 29.5 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 28.5° | 27.8° | 29.3° | warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 28.7° | 27.6° | 29.5° | warm |
| MarchMar | 28.1° | 27.1° | 28.8° | warm |
| AprilApr | 27.0° | 26.3° | 27.5° | warm |
| MayMay | 25.2° | 24.4° | 25.9° | pleasant |
| JuneJun | 23.5° | 22.8° | 24.1° | pleasant |
| JulyJul | 22.3° | 21.4° | 23.2° | refreshing |
| AugustAug | 22.2° | 21.3° | 23.2° | refreshing |
| SeptemberSep | 23.5° | 23.0° | 24.1° | pleasant |
| OctoberOct | 25.2° | 24.4° | 26.2° | pleasant |
| NovemberNov | 26.7° | 25.9° | 27.5° | warm |
| DecemberDec | 28.0° | 27.4° | 28.7° | warm |
Sunshine hours in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 10.6 of 12.5 hours of daylight in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays), 85 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 12 · extremeAvoid the midday sun; SPF 50+, covering clothes, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in January (UV 12).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 10 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 20 min
- Olive skin
- about 25 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays): rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) has about 5 rainy days with 24 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
How breezy and how cloudy Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) typically peaks at 20 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Oct – May.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 34 % of the sky over Airlie Beach (Whitsundays): mostly sunny, with about 10.6 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
How often the day gets hot in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) has about 9 hot days, with an average daytime high of 29 °C: some hot or muggy days. Single hot or muggy days are possible; a hat and water bottle are enough.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
- muggy month (10+ muggy days)
WarmOctober: nights around 20°. Tropical nights: a fan or air conditioning helps. Muggy on about 14 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in July (14°), the warmest in January (24°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from October to April; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from May to June and from August to September. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 196 days a year, mostly from October to April.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 84 | 30° | 24° | 28.5° | 9.1 h | 15 | 229 |
| FebruaryFeb | 82 | 30° | 24° | 28.7° | 8.4 h | 15 | 222 |
| MarchMar | 86 | 29° | 23° | 28.1° | 8.7 h | 13 | 152 |
| AprilApr | 92 | 27° | 21° | 27.0° | 8.8 h | 9 | 68 |
| MayMay | 94 | 25° | 18° | 25.2° | 8.4 h | 6 | 34 |
| JuneJun | 82 | 23° | 16° | 23.5° | 8.1 h | 5 | 28 |
| JulyJul | 79 | 23° | 14° | 22.3° | 8.8 h | 4 | 28 |
| AugustAug | 87 | 24° | 15° | 22.2° | 9.7 h | 3 | 24 |
| SeptemberSep | 98 | 26° | 17° | 23.5° | 10.5 h | 3 | 11 |
| OctoberOct | 99 | 29° | 20° | 25.2° | 10.6 h | 5 | 24 |
| NovemberNov | 95 | 30° | 22° | 26.7° | 10.5 h | 8 | 61 |
| DecemberDec | 91 | 31° | 23° | 28.0° | 10.1 h | 11 | 113 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
20.27° S, 148.71° E · 31 m · Australia/Brisbane
Best time to visit Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
The best time to visit Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is from April to May and from August to November. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go from April to June and from August to December. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to September. Rain is most frequent from January to March; the wettest month is January with 229 mm.
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in spring
Sep – Nov
Excellent
- 26–30 °C by day
- Sea 25 °C
- 11 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days in all
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in summer
Dec – Feb
Excellent
- 30–31 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 9 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in autumn
Mar – May
Excellent
- 25–29 °C by day
- Sea 27 °C
- 9 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days in all
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in winter
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 23–24 °C by day
- Sea 23 °C
- 9 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) for you.
Your best months: September – November
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
October and September bring similar holiday weather to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) (score 99 and 98). In September, days are 3 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 2 °C cooler in September. September has 2 fewer rainy days.
| Month | October | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 99 | 98 |
| Day high | 29° | 26° |
| Night low | 20° | 17° |
| Sea | 25.2° | 23.5° |
| Sunshine | 10.6 h | 10.5 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 3better |
| Rainfall | 24 mm | 11 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 14 | 5better |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Apr – Jun, Aug – Dec
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jan – Mar
12 or more rainy days
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
84January30° · Sea 29° · 9 h
In January, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.5 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 229 mm. On about 16 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in January82February30° · Sea 29° · 8 h
In February, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 222 mm. On about 13 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in February86March29° · Sea 28° · 9 h
In March, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 28.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 152 mm in total. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in March92April27° · Sea 27° · 9 h
In April, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 27.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 68 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in April94May25° · Sea 25° · 8 h
In May, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 25.2 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 34 mm. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in May82June23° · Sea 24° · 8 h
In June, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 23.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 28 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in June79July23° · Sea 22° · 9 h
In July, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 22.3 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 28 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in July87August24° · Sea 22° · 10 h
In August, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 22.2 °C – refreshing for a swim. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 24 mm in total. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in August98September26° · Sea 24° · 11 h
In September, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 23.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. With around 11 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 11 mm in total. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in September99October29° · Sea 25° · 11 h
In October, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and nights cool down to about 20 °C. The sea averages 25.2 °C – pleasant for swimming. With around 11 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 24 mm in total. On about 9 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in October95November30° · Sea 27° · 11 h
In November, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 11 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 61 mm. On about 13 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in November91December31° · Sea 28° · 10 h
In December, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 28.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 113 mm in total. On about 19 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays).
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in DecemberAirlie Beach (Whitsundays) compared
Put Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) side by side with another destination.
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Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) vs. Mackay
In October Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) has the better holiday weather (score 99 vs. 92). During the day Mackay is 3 °C cooler than Airlie Beach (Whitsundays). The sea is about equally warm. Mackay gets 3 fewer hours of sunshine a day.
| in October | Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | Mackay |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 99 | 92 |
| Daytime high | 29° | 26° |
| Sea | 25° | 25° |
| Sunshine | 11 h | 8 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 7 |
| Best time | Apr – May, Aug – Nov | Apr, Sep – Dec |
Through the year
Australia in October: the best places
In October, Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) ranks 1 of 24 destinations in this country.
- Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)This page29°25°99
- 2Perth22°19°97
- 3Cairns26°26°96
- 4Toowoomba25°94
- 5Adelaide20°16°94
- 6Mackay26°25°92
- 7Sunshine Coast25°23°89
- 8Brisbane25°89
Planning a trip to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 99) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 84).
- 90
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Excellent
- 28 °C by day
- Sea 27 °C
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Storm season
- 92
May half-term
May – Jun
Excellent
- 25 °C by day
- Sea 25 °C
- 8.3 h of sun a day
- 6 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
- 84
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Excellent
- 23 °C by day
- Sea 22 °C
- 9.4 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 99
October half-term
Oct
ExcellentBest holidays
- 29 °C by day
- Sea 25 °C
- 10.6 h of sun a day
- 5 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
- 88
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Excellent
- 30 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 9.6 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Storm season
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 19 h 20 min
- Distance
- 15,630 km
- Time zone
- UTC+10
- Jet lag
- About 9 days (9 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Storm season
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) lies in an area that Australian tropical cyclones can reach. The cyclone season runs from November to April, with most storms from January to March. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
- January: Peak
- February: Peak
- March: Peak
- April: Season
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November: Season
- December: Season
Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM); not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions about Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
When is the best time to visit Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)?
The best time to visit Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) is from April to May and from August to November. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)?
The sea temperature in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) ranges from 22.2 °C in August to 28.7 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 25.2 °C – pleasant for swimming.
What is the warmest month in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)?
December is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C and nights around 23 °C. July is the coolest month at 23 °C.
When does it rain most in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)?
Rain is most frequent from January to March; the wettest month is January with 229 mm. The driest month is September with 11 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) get?
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) gets around 3,400 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is October with 10.6 hours a day; in June there are 8.1 hours a day.
What time zone is Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) in?
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) uses the time zone Australia/Brisbane, at UTC+10 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)?
A nonstop flight from London to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) takes about 19 h 20 min, for a straight-line distance of about 15,630 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
When is cyclone season in Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)?
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) lies in an area that Australian tropical cyclones can reach. The cyclone season runs from November to April, with most storms from January to March. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
Which school holidays are best for Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)?
Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 99) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 84). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 90, May half-term 92, Summer holidays 84, October half-term 99, Christmas holidays 88.
Near Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)
Other destinations close by.
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Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)'s – good alternatives.