Best time to visit Port Douglas

The best time to visit Port Douglas is during the winter dry season from mid-May to early-November, when you can expect mainly clear blue skies and warm, sunny days tempered by gentle sea breezes.

For hot-weather activities, the best time to visit Port Douglas is during October and November.

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Port Douglas weather

Port Douglas experiences a hot tropical climate with two seasons: a warm, dry season and a hot, wet season.

The so-called ‘green’ or wet summer season lasts from December to April, with January through to March receiving the most rain. Average daytime temperatures rise to 32°C (89°F) and above, with a night-time low around 25°C (77°F).

What is the best month to visit Port Douglas?
July, August and September are considered the best months to visit Port Douglas – the weather is warm and sunny, with clear blue skies and little to no rainfall.

However, anytime between May and October is good for a range of outdoor activitiies.

Which is the hottest month in Port Douglas?
The hottest months in Port Douglas are usually December and January, each with an average high temperature of 32°C (89°F), with high heat and humidity, and a low of 25°C (77°F).

However, on the warmest days, the temperature may climb to around 35°C (95°F).

The hot season lasts from mid-November to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature above 30°C (86°F).

Which is the coldest month in Port Douglas?
The coldest month in Port Douglas is July, with an average day-time high of 25°C (77°F) and a night-time low of 20°C (68°F).

The cooler season lasts from June to mid-August, with an average daily high temperature below 27°C (80°F).

When is it sunniest in Port Douglas?
The sunniest time of year in Port Douglas is normally August with bright sunshine on average for 69% of daylight hours; that's eight hours of sunshine per day.

What is the humidity in Port Douglas?
Port Douglas experiences notable seasonal variation in humidity, with approximate average relative humidity calculated at between 72% – 85% over the course of the year.

What do the humidity conditions feel like in Port Douglas?
We derive the humidity comfort level – what conditions feel like – from the dew point temperature, which measures moisture content in the atmosphere: a higher dew point feels more humid, while a lower dew point feels drier.

Meteorologists agree that dew point temperature is a more consistant indication of 'absolute humidity' than relative humidity, which fluctuates with temperature. 

The average annual dew point in Port Douglas is 21°C (70°F), and varies over the course of the year from starting to feel humid at 18°C (64°F) to muggy and uncomfortable at 24°C (75°F).

The more humid time of year in Port Douglas lasts from mid-September through to mid-June, when you can expect the comfort level to be muggy at least 37% of the time.

The months with the most muggy days in Port Douglas are January, February and March, with every day in each month muggy or worse.

July and August are generally more comfortable, with around six days in each month that are muggy.

When is the sea warmest in Port Douglas?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Port Douglas in February when the water temperature averages 29°C (84°F), which is very pleasant for swimming.

You can expect warmer water from December through March, with an average temperature above 28°C (82°F), which is warm for swimming.

The sea water is warm enough to swim year-round in Port Dougls. The month with the coldest water in Port Douglas is July, with an average temperature of 24°C (75°F), which is still warm enough for swimming.

The time of year with cooler water lasts from mid-June to mid-September, with an average temperature below 25°C (77°F).

Are there marine stingers at Port Douglas?
The waters of tropical Queensland – including the waters off Port Douglas – are home to marine stingers and jellyfish.

The peak stinger risk season is from November to May. Most accredited Port Douglas tour operators offer protective ‘stinger suits’ to all customers at little or no cost, so you can still enjoy swimming and snorkelling.

Which month has the most rain in Port Douglas?
Rain falls throughout the year in Port Douglas. February is the wettest month in Port Douglas, with up to 500mm (20in) of rainfall on average, distributed across 16 days.

The wet season lasts from mid-December to late-April, with a greater than 39% chance of a given day being a wet day. January through to March receives the most rain.

The drier season lasts from late-April to mid-December. The months with the least rainfall in Port Douglas is July, August and September.

What is the windiest month in Port Douglas?
April is the windiest months of the year, with an average hourly wind speed of around 14 kilometres per hour (8.7 mph; 7.6 knots).

Mid-March through to mid-November is usually the windiest time of year in Port Douglas, with average wind speeds of more than 13 kilometres per hour (8 mph; 7 knots).

Port Douglas experiences less wind in the months from mid-November to mid-March. The calmest month of the year in Port Douglas is February, with an average hourly wind speed of 11 kilometres per hour (7 mph; 6 knots).

The predominant wind direction in Port Douglas is from the east throughout the year.

Is there a risk of a tropical storm in Port Douglas?
The risk of a tropical storm in Port Douglas is greatest between January and March. The region is prone to tropical cyclones, which usually form between November and May.

Queensland has an excellent cyclone warning system that provides plenty of advance notice of an impending cyclone.

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Note: The waters of tropical Queensland are home to marine stingers (Irukandji jellyfish). The high risk season is from November to May. Stinger nets are available for ocean swimming and most accredited tour operators offer protective ‘stinger suits’ to all customers at little or no cost.

If you do get stung do not rub the sting area instead, apply vinegar immediately and seek medical attention urgently. Dial 000 for an ambulance.

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Port Douglas Weather Averages

Holiday seasons

High season: June to October during the dry season.
Low season: November to May.

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Note: Meteorological data for Port Douglas is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020, and is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) at the closest weather stations that include Port Douglas Warner Street AWS and Low Isles Lighthouse AWS, which is located 14km (8mi) northeast of Port Douglas. This station is deemed sufficiently nearby to be relied upon as the primary source for historical climate records, although weather conditions in Port Douglas may vary slightly.

Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.

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Latest update: Best time to visit Port Douglas: 24 April, 2024

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.

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