AI-generatedCairns at a glance
- Best time
- May, Aug – Nov
- Warmest month
- Jan · 29°
- Warmest sea
- Jan · 29.2°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,760 h
- Rain a year
- 1,370 mm
- Climate
- Tropical
- Time zone
- UTC+10
- Elevation
- 7 m
Climate in Cairns
Cairns has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. January is the warmest month with average highs of 29 °C, while July is the coolest at 23 °C. With around 2,760 hours of sunshine a year, Cairns is sunny; October is the sunniest month with 9.0 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: May, August – November
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 24°
- Midday, 13:00: about 26°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 26°
- Evening, 20:00: about 24°
- Night, 23:00: about 24°
05:4918:16
Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
What is the weather like in Cairns in October?
In October, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 33 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Cairns.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 27 min05:49 – 18:16
- UV index
- 12 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 25 daysdew point 18 °C or more
- Wind
- 16 km/haverage daily peak
- Cloud cover
- 45 %on average
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+10Australia/Brisbane
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %100 %
- Seaweight 25 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %100 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %79 %
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
- Insect repellent
Sea temperature in Cairns
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 25.7 – 27.0 °C
Swimming season: All year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Cairns ranges from 23.6 °C in July to 29.2 °C in January. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
The sea temperature varies from year to year: in January, eight out of ten years were between 28.6 and 29.8 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 29.2° | 28.6° | 29.8° | very warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 29.2° | 28.5° | 29.8° | very warm |
| MarchMar | 28.6° | 27.8° | 29.4° | warm |
| AprilApr | 27.5° | 26.7° | 28.2° | warm |
| MayMay | 25.8° | 24.9° | 26.7° | pleasant |
| JuneJun | 24.4° | 23.7° | 25.1° | pleasant |
| JulyJul | 23.6° | 22.8° | 24.6° | pleasant |
| AugustAug | 23.7° | 23.1° | 24.5° | pleasant |
| SeptemberSep | 24.8° | 24.2° | 25.5° | pleasant |
| OctoberOct | 26.2° | 25.7° | 27.0° | warm |
| NovemberNov | 27.5° | 26.8° | 28.2° | warm |
| DecemberDec | 28.6° | 27.9° | 29.5° | warm |
Sunshine hours in Cairns
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 9.0 of 12.5 hours of daylight in Cairns, 72 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 6 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Cairns
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 November (UV 13).
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 Cairns: 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, Cairns has about 7 rainy days with 33 mm of rain in total.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
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 | 73 | 29° | 25° | 29.2° | 6.9 h | 22 | 292 |
| FebruaryFeb | 71 | 29° | 25° | 29.2° | 6.2 h | 21 | 285 |
| MarchMar | 72 | 28° | 25° | 28.6° | 6.6 h | 19 | 235 |
| AprilApr | 79 | 26° | 24° | 27.5° | 7.0 h | 14 | 124 |
| MayMay | 83 | 25° | 22° | 25.8° | 7.1 h | 10 | 46 |
| JuneJun | 77 | 23° | 21° | 24.4° | 7.0 h | 8 | 30 |
| JulyJul | 76 | 23° | 20° | 23.6° | 7.5 h | 6 | 30 |
| AugustAug | 82 | 23° | 20° | 23.7° | 8.1 h | 5 | 24 |
| SeptemberSep | 95 | 25° | 21° | 24.8° | 8.9 h | 5 | 18 |
| OctoberOct | 96 | 26° | 23° | 26.2° | 9.0 h | 7 | 33 |
| NovemberNov | 89 | 27° | 24° | 27.5° | 8.6 h | 11 | 62 |
| DecemberDec | 78 | 28° | 25° | 28.6° | 7.8 h | 17 | 191 |
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)
16.92° S, 145.77° E · 7 m · Australia/Brisbane
Best time to visit Cairns
The best time to visit Cairns is in May and from August to November. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go from May to June and from August to November. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to November. Rain is most frequent from December to April; the wettest month is January with 292 mm.
Cairns through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Cairns in the dry season
May – Nov
Excellent
- 23–27 °C by day
- Sea 25 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 52 rainy days in all
Cairns in the rainy season
Dec – Apr
Good
- 26–29 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 92 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Cairns for you.
Your best months: September – November
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
May – Jun, Aug – Nov
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Nov
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Dec – Apr
12 or more rainy days
Cairns month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
73January29° · Sea 29° · 7 h
In January, Cairns is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.2 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 22 days, totalling 292 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is a good month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in January71February29° · Sea 29° · 6 h
In February, Cairns is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.2 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 21 days, totalling 285 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in February72March28° · Sea 29° · 7 h
In March, Cairns is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 28.6 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 19 days, totalling 235 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in March79April26° · Sea 28° · 7 h
In April, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.5 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 124 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in April83May25° · Sea 26° · 7 h
In May, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 25.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 46 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in May77June23° · Sea 24° · 7 h
In June, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 24.4 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 30 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in June76July23° · Sea 24° · 8 h
In July, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 20 °C. The sea averages 23.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 30 mm. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in July82August23° · Sea 24° · 8 h
In August, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 20 °C. The sea averages 23.7 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 24 mm. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in August95September25° · Sea 25° · 9 h
In September, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 24.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 18 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in September96October26° · Sea 26° · 9 h
In October, Cairns is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 33 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in October89November27° · Sea 28° · 9 h
In November, Cairns is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.5 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 62 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is an excellent month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in November78December28° · Sea 29° · 8 h
In December, Cairns is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 28.6 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 17 days, totalling 191 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Cairns.
Cairns in DecemberCairns compared
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Cairns vs. Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)
In October Cairns has the better holiday weather (score 96 vs. 75). During the day Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) is 2 °C cooler than Cairns. The sea in Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) is 3 °C cooler. Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Cairns | Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 96 | 75 |
| Daytime high | 26° | 24° |
| Sea | 26° | 23° |
| Sunshine | 9 h | 8 h |
| Rainy days | 7 | 9 |
| Best time | May, Aug – Nov | Oct – Apr |
Through the year
Australia in October: the best places
In October, Cairns ranks 2 of 5 destinations in this country.
- Perth22°19°97
- 2CairnsThis page26°26°96
- 3Sydney21°19°87
- 4Melbourne19°15°78
- 5Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)24°23°75
Planning a trip to Cairns
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 18 h 45 min
- Distance
- 15,160 km
- Time zone
- UTC+10
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
Cairns 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 Cairns
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
The best time to visit Cairns is in 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 Cairns?
The sea temperature in Cairns ranges from 23.6 °C in July to 29.2 °C in January. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Cairns in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 26.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming.
What is the warmest month in Cairns?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C and nights around 25 °C. July is the coolest month at 23 °C.
When does it rain most in Cairns?
Rain is most frequent from December to April; the wettest month is January with 292 mm. The driest month is September with 18 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Cairns get?
Cairns gets around 2,760 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is October with 9.0 hours a day; in February there are 6.2 hours a day.
What time zone is Cairns in?
Cairns uses the time zone Australia/Brisbane, at UTC+10 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Cairns?
A nonstop flight from London to Cairns takes about 18 h 45 min, for a straight-line distance of about 15,160 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
When is cyclone season in Cairns?
Cairns 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.
Near Cairns
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Cairns
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Cairns's – good alternatives.