Beaches · Cairns · Australia
The best beaches in and near Cairns
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Esplanade Lagoon (In the city centre). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
In the city centre · Safe swimming and families
1.Esplanade Lagoon
A free saltwater swimming lagoon on the waterfront, lifeguarded and stinger-free.
About 25 minutes north by car · Couples and resort stays
2.Palm Cove
Melaleuca-lined beach with a stinger net, lifeguards and restaurants.
About 20 minutes north by car · Families
3.Trinity Beach
Sheltered, family-friendly beach with a stinger net and apartments.
About 1 hour north by car · Long walks and scenery
4.Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Long palm-fringed beach with a patrolled, netted swimming area.
About 45 minutes by boat · Snorkelling and turtles
5.Green Island beaches
Coral-cay beaches with snorkelling over seagrass and reef.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| February | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| March | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| June | 25°C (77°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| July | 24°C (75°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| August | 24°C (75°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| September | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| October | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| December | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, beach and quiet stays
Trinity Beach
Trinity Beach, about 20 minutes north of the city, curves around a sheltered bay with a summer stinger net, a patrolled swimming area and a short strip of restaurants and holiday apartments along Vasey Esplanade. It is quieter and cheaper than Palm Cove.
- Good
- Real swimming beach; Apartments with kitchens; Calm, local atmosphere
- Watch out
- Need a car or bus to reach the city; Few evening options
- Nearby
- Palm Cove, Yorkeys Knob, Clifton Beach
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Sunbus services run from the city to the northern beaches, including Trinity Beach and Palm Cove, and to suburbs such as Edge Hill and Smithfield.
- Boat — Reef boats and island ferries leave from the Reef Fleet Terminal and Marlin Marina, mostly in the morning.
- Car — A hire car makes it easy to reach the Atherton Tablelands, Mossman Gorge and the Daintree.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–November. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Cairns is generally safe for visitors. The real hazards are natural: saltwater crocodiles in rivers, estuaries and some beaches, marine stingers in coastal water from about November to May, strong tropical sun and cyclones in the wet season. Obey warning signs and swim in netted, patrolled areas. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Cairns have beaches?
Yes: Esplanade Lagoon, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas and Green Island beaches.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Cairns?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Cairns?
Esplanade Lagoon: A free saltwater swimming lagoon on the waterfront, lifeguarded and stinger-free.