AI-generatedCooktown at a glance
- Best time
- May – Nov
- Warmest month
- Dec · 33°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 29.1°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,960 h
- Rain a year
- 1,430 mm
- Climate
- Tropical
- Time zone
- UTC+10
- Elevation
- 12 m
Climate in Cooktown
Cooktown has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. December is the warmest month with average highs of 33 °C, while July is the coolest at 27 °C. With around 2,960 hours of sunshine a year, Cooktown is sunny; October is the sunniest month with 9.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Cooktown
The best time to visit Cooktown is from May to November. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from May to November. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to August. The rainy season is from December to March; the wettest month is January with 303 mm.
Cooktown through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Cooktown in the dry season
Apr – Nov
Excellent
- 27–32 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 8.6 h of sun a day
- 63 rainy days in all
Cooktown in the rainy season
Dec – Mar
Good
- 31–33 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 83 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
May – Nov
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Aug
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Dec – Mar
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Cooktown for you.
Your best months: August – October
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: May – November
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forBeach & swimming
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 26°
- Midday, 13:00: about 30°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 30°
- Evening, 20:00: about 26°
- Night, 23:00: about 25°
05:5218:17
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 05:39–06:21 · evening 17:49–18:31
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:30–05:39 · evening 18:31–18:39
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.
October in Cooktown compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs rise from about 30° at the start of the month to 31° at the end. The sea warms from 25° to 27°. The days get 0.4 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 30° | 31° |
| Night-time low | 22° | 23° |
| Sea | 25° | 27° |
| Daylight | 12.2 h | 12.6 h |
What is the weather like in Cooktown in October?
In October, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9.5 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 27 mm. On about 17 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 25 min05:52 – 18:17
- UV index
- 13 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 23 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 24 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 47 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 17 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+10offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %100 %
- Seaweight 25 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %100 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %93 %
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
- Insect repellent
Compare two months in Cooktown
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 Cooktown (score 99 and 100). In September, days are 1 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 1 °C cooler in September. September has one rainy day fewer.
| Month | October | September |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 99 | 100 |
| Daytime high | 30° | 29° |
| Night-time low | 23° | 21° |
| Sea | 26.1° | 24.8° |
| Sunshine | 9.5 h | 9.4 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 4better |
| Rainfall | 27 mm | 13 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 23 | 14better |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Cooktown month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
68January32° · Sea 29° · 7.2 h
In January, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.2 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 23 days, totalling 303 mm. On about 27 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is a good month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in January67February32° · Sea 29° · 6.4 h
In February, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 29.1 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 22 days, totalling 292 mm. On about 23 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in February72March31° · Sea 29° · 6.7 h
In March, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 31 °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 6.7 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 22 days, totalling 299 mm. On about 20 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in March80April29° · Sea 28° · 7.7 h
In April, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 27.6 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 141 mm. On about 7 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in April88May28° · Sea 26° · 8.0 h
In May, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 26.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 45 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in May91June27° · Sea 25° · 7.7 h
In June, Cooktown is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 24.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 26 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in June93July27° · Sea 24° · 8.3 h
In July, Cooktown is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 23.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 24 mm. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in July96August27° · Sea 24° · 8.6 h
In August, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 16 mm. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in August100September29° · Sea 25° · 9.4 h
In September, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 24.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. With around 9.4 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 13 mm in total. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in September99October30° · Sea 26° · 9.5 h
In October, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 26.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9.5 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 27 mm. On about 17 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in October88November32° · Sea 27° · 9.3 h
In November, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.4 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9.3 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 56 mm in total. On about 27 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 Cooktown.
Cooktown in November73December33° · Sea 29° · 8.3 h
In December, Cooktown is hot: daytime highs average 33 °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 8.3 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 16 days, totalling 188 mm. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Cooktown.
Cooktown in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Cooktown
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
WarmOctober: nights around 23°. Tropical nights: a fan or air conditioning helps. Muggy on about 23 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in July (18°), the warmest in January (25°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from September to June; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to August. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 279 days a year, mostly from October to June.
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 | 68 | 32° | 25° | 29.0° | 7.2 h | 23 | 303 |
| FebruaryFeb | 67 | 32° | 24° | 29.1° | 6.4 h | 22 | 292 |
| MarchMar | 72 | 31° | 24° | 28.7° | 6.7 h | 22 | 299 |
| AprilApr | 80 | 29° | 23° | 27.6° | 7.7 h | 15 | 141 |
| MayMay | 88 | 28° | 21° | 26.0° | 8.0 h | 10 | 45 |
| JuneJun | 91 | 27° | 20° | 24.6° | 7.7 h | 7 | 26 |
| JulyJul | 93 | 27° | 18° | 23.8° | 8.3 h | 7 | 24 |
| AugustAug | 96 | 27° | 19° | 23.8° | 8.6 h | 5 | 16 |
| SeptemberSep | 100 | 29° | 21° | 24.8° | 9.4 h | 4 | 13 |
| OctoberOct | 99 | 30° | 23° | 26.1° | 9.5 h | 5 | 27 |
| NovemberNov | 88 | 32° | 24° | 27.4° | 9.3 h | 10 | 56 |
| DecemberDec | 73 | 33° | 25° | 28.6° | 8.3 h | 16 | 188 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), 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
15.47° S, 145.25° E · 12 m · Australia/Brisbane
Sea temperature in Cooktown
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 25.4 – 27.0 °C
Swimming season: all year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Cooktown ranges from 23.8 °C in July to 29.1 °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. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 28.3 and 29.6 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 29.0° | 28.6° | 29.5° | very warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 29.1° | 28.3° | 29.6° | very warm |
| MarchMar | 28.7° | 27.9° | 29.4° | warm |
| AprilApr | 27.6° | 26.6° | 28.2° | warm |
| MayMay | 26.0° | 25.1° | 27.0° | warm |
| JuneJun | 24.6° | 23.9° | 25.4° | pleasant |
| JulyJul | 23.8° | 23.0° | 24.8° | pleasant |
| AugustAug | 23.8° | 23.2° | 24.6° | pleasant |
| SeptemberSep | 24.8° | 24.1° | 25.5° | pleasant |
| OctoberOct | 26.1° | 25.4° | 27.0° | warm |
| NovemberNov | 27.4° | 26.7° | 28.3° | warm |
| DecemberDec | 28.6° | 27.9° | 29.4° | warm |
Sunshine hours in Cooktown
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 9.5 of 12.4 hours of daylight in Cooktown, 77 % of the daylight hours.
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.
Rain in Cooktown: 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, Cooktown has about 5 rainy days with 27 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Cooktown
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 13 · extremeAvoid the midday sun; SPF 50+, covering clothes, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in February (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 the time, 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.
Wind and clouds in Cooktown
How breezy and how cloudy Cooktown 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 Cooktown typically peaks at 24 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: all year except Feb.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 47 % of the sky over Cooktown: variable cloud, with about 9.5 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 Cooktown
How often the day gets hot in Cooktown (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, Cooktown has about 17 hot days, with an average daytime high of 30 °C: hot and muggy. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and evening, drink a lot and take breaks in the cool.
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
Planning a trip to Cooktown
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Cooktown 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.
Cooktown has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 99) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 71).
- 78
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Good
- 30 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 17 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Storm season
- 89
May half-term
May – Jun
Excellent
- 28 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 7.9 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
- 95
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Excellent
- 27 °C by day
- Sea 24 °C
- 8.5 h of sun a day
- 6 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
- 99
October half-term
Oct
ExcellentBest holidays
- 30 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 9.5 h of sun a day
- 5 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
- 71
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Good
- 32 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 7.8 h of sun a day
- 19 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 18 h 35 min
- Distance
- 14,990 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
Cooktown 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, Fiji Meteorological Service); not a forecast.
Compare & alternatives
Cooktown compared
Put Cooktown side by side with another destination.
Cooktown vs Port Douglas
In October the holiday weather in Cooktown and Port Douglas is about equally good (score 99 vs 98). During the day Port Douglas is 1 °C warmer than Cooktown. The sea is about equally warm. Port Douglas gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Cooktown | Port Douglas |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 99 | 98 |
| Daytime high | 30° | 31° |
| Sea | 26° | 26° |
| Sunshine | 10 h | 9 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 6 |
| Best time | May – Nov | May – Nov |
Through the year
Australia in October: the best places
In October, Cooktown ranks 1 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- CooktownThis page30°26°99
- 2Bowen29°25°99
- 3Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)30°25°99
- 4Port Douglas31°26°98
- 5Thursday Island31°27°97
- 6Cairns30°26°96
- 7Yeppoon28°24°94
- 8Toowoomba26°94
Near Cooktown
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Cooktown
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Cooktown's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Cooktown
When is the best time to visit Cooktown?
The best time to visit Cooktown is from May to November. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Cooktown?
The sea temperature in Cooktown ranges from 23.8 °C in July to 29.1 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Cooktown in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 26.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming.
What is the warmest month in Cooktown?
December is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C and nights around 25 °C. July is the coolest month at 27 °C.
When does it rain most in Cooktown?
The rainy season is from December to March; the wettest month is January with 303 mm. The driest month is September with 13 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Cooktown get?
Cooktown gets around 2,960 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is October with 9.5 hours a day; in February there are 6.4 hours a day.
What time zone is Cooktown in?
Cooktown is on UTC+10 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Cooktown?
A nonstop flight from London to Cooktown takes about 18 h 35 min, for a straight-line distance of about 14,990 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
When is cyclone season in Cooktown?
Cooktown 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 Cooktown?
Cooktown has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 99) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 71). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 78, May half-term 89, summer holidays 95, October half-term 99, Christmas holidays 71.