Cairns is located in the tropics and has a warm, humid climate. Cairns weather has 2 distinct seasons - a dry season from April to October and a wet season from November to March with tropical monsoons that includes tropical cyclones. On average Cairns receives over 2000mm of rain every year and this can cause flooding of the Mulgrave and Barron Rivers which sometimes affects road and rail transportation.
You can swim nearly all year round because Cairns temperature is so beautiful. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a great place to cool off. This swimming lagoon shaped to look like Queensland is huge and is patrolled by lifeguards during the day. Swimming in the ocean at Cairns and the Cairns Northern Beaches is not recommended during the stinger season - November until May. Stingers are mainly found around the coast so you can swim on the Great Barrier Reef with out many problems (wear a protective stinger suit just to be safe). Some beaches have stinger nets for safe swimming. Another way to beat the hot Cairns weather, is by finding one of the many inland waterfalls, rivers, lakes and creeks for a swim, just be on the look out for signs warning of crocodiles.
Visitors to Far North Queensland need strong sunscreen because of the harsh sun. Most importantly, remember to bring a hat. All year round Cairns weather is quite hot and can easily damage fair skin. Generally the nights are mild so dress in light clothing. The dress standards at most venues is casual tropical wear that is neat and tidy with footwear.
| Month | Max Temp in Celsius | Min Temp in Celsius | Av Rainfall mm | Av Rainy Days | Av Clear Days | Av Cloudy Days |
| January | 31.4 | 23.6 | 386.6 | 17.8 | 4.0 | 15.8 |
| February | 31.1 | 23.7 | 453.0 | 19.1 | 2.4 | 17.5 |
| March | 30.5 | 23.0 | 420.3 | 19.1 | 4.1 | 16.3 |
| April | 29.2 | 21.6 | 197.7 | 17.8 | 5.0 | 13.8 |
| May | 27.6 | 19.8 | 93.2 | 13.6 | 6.8 | 12.5 |
| June | 25.9 | 17.7 | 46.5 | 9.6 | 8.9 | 10.0 |
| July | 25.7 | 17.0 | 28.7 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| August | 26.5 | 17.4 | 27.9 | 8.1 | 11.5 | 7.6 |
| September | 28.0 | 18.6 | 34.6 | 7.6 | 12.3 | 5.7 |
| October | 29.5 | 20.6 | 39.6 | 8 | 11.8 | 5.3 |
| November | 30.6 | 22.3 | 94.4 | 10.1 | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| December | 31.3 | 23.3 | 180.4 | 13.7 | 5.5 | 11.7 |
| Year | 29.0 | 20.7 | 2002.8 | 153.4 | 89.8 | 133.4 |
Note: From November to March when the region experiences 'wet season' weather, Cairns is considered to be in the 'low season' for travel. Rates for accommodation are discounted during this time and large savings can be found.
