Tropical Port Douglas is best visited during the dry season, from April through October. This period falls across the Australian late autumn, winter, and early spring seasons, with warm, dry, and generally clear days. While there’s some sporadic rainfall at this time of year, it’s significantly below the levels of the wet season. Humidity also remains considerably lower.
Another significant benefit of visiting during the dry season is the option of swimming in the open ocean. The highly poisonous box jellyfish frequent the area from November through April, which limits swimming to areas with stinger nets. Outside of this period, swimming in the open sea is safe. If you’re going to be in a tropical paradise like Port Douglas, you will want to cool off and swim in the ocean.
Port Douglas is located on Australia’s east coast in northern Queensland. It’s located 66 km north of Cairns, the area’s major administrative and transport hub. Like Cairns, Port Douglas fronts directly onto the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the biggest reasons to visit the area. It’s also very close to the Daintree Rainforest and the popular tourist destination of Cape Tribulation.
Port Douglas’ location between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator ensures a tropical climate. Year-round warm temperatures are a given, as is rainfall throughout the year. With the year split between a wet and a dry season, the weather plays a significant role in determining the best time to visit.
The year in Port Douglas is broadly divided into a 5-month wet season and a 7-month dry season. The wet season runs from November through March, while the dry season runs from April through October. The amount of rainfall in the fringe months of these seasons can often vary from year to year. However, the heaviest rainfall is always seen across January, February, and March. At this time of year, expect to see heavy downpours, storms, and even potentially flooding. In contrast, the weather across the middle of the dry season, which is June through September, sees very little rainfall. Average monthly rainfall is just 10% of the amount in the wet season and days are almost always dry.
The tropical climate of Port Douglas ensures a good, warm year-round climate. During the summer months, temperatures rise into the low 30s but can often feel higher on account of the humidity. Even at night, temperatures only ease into the mid-20s, making it feel hot and muggy.
In contrast to the hot and wet summer season, the rest of the year is largely a perfect warm climate. Temperatures through the dry season hover around 30°C during the day, while nighttime temperatures rarely fall below 20°C.
Humidity in Queensland can be a complete nightmare, and in Port Douglas, it’s no different. During the height of the wet season, relative humidity peaks at over 70%, creating very hot and uncomfortable conditions. While the humidity eases as you exit the wet season and move into the drier winter months, humidity remains above 60%. During the cooler winter months, it’s not such a problem, but as temperatures rise into the spring, you really feel it.
To emphasize the climate variability by month and season, we’ve split out Port Douglas’s weather by month. The huge variance in rainfall between the wet and the dry season is the most notable factor.
Month | Maximum Temp | Minimum Temp | Days of Rain |
January | 32°C | 26°C | 14 |
February | 32°C | 26°C | 14 |
March | 31°C | 25°C | 14 |
April | 29°C | 24°C | 11 |
May | 27°C | 23°C | 8 |
June | 26°C | 21°C | 6 |
July | 25°C | 21°C | 4 |
August | 27°C | 21°C | 4 |
September | 29°C | 22°C | 4 |
October | 30°C | 23°C | 5 |
November | 32°C | 25°C | 8 |
December | 32°C | 25°C | 10 |
While Port Douglas only has a wet and a dry season, it’s useful to look at the area by each of Australia’s 4 temperate seasons to understand what to expect.
The spring season in Port Douglas covers the end of the dry season and the beginning of the wet season. Humidity climbs throughout the spring, and rainfall also continues to increase during the period. The latter part of spring is one of the quietest periods to visit Port Douglas as the weather turns and there are no major school holidays. The warmer sea waters in November also cause the potentially lethal box jellyfish to return.
The summer months in Port Douglas are the hottest, wettest, and most humid of the year. It all combines to create very uncomfortable conditions that sometimes feel like they will never end. It’s proof that even in paradise, it’s possible to get down about the weather!
Even while the weather is at its worst, Port Douglas is kept relatively busy by the influx of Australian tourists enjoying the Christmas and school summer vacations. However, once these holidays end in late January, Port Douglas can resemble something of a ghost town. Box jellyfish are prolific in the ocean throughout the summer, making cooling off all the more challenging.
The autumn season marks the end of the wet season and the beginning of the cooler dry season. Both humidity and temperatures begin to ease, making conditions a lot pleasanter. This improvement in the climate coincides with the school Easter holidays, which makes April one of the busiest months of the year. April also marks the end of box jellyfish season, meaning you can cool off with a quick dip anywhere along Port Douglas’ tremendous beaches. The reduced rainfall also means water visibility improves, making late autumn an ideal time for snorkeling or scuba diving.
The winter months are the ideal time to visit Port Douglas and the surrounding areas. Days are generally warm, dry, and bright without being too hot. Temperatures hover around 25°C, which is warm enough for the beach but not too hot for other activities in the area. Swimming in the sea and diving is at its very best during this time of year with amazing visibility.
The only fly in the ointment is that the winter months are also peak season. Not only do international visitors flock to the area, but locals do, too. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory are all amid their cool, wet winters. Many residents of these areas look to escape to Queensland for some winter sun. This means Port Douglas and other areas along the coast can be busy, prices can rise, and accommodation can be scarce. While it’s not reason enough to avoid visiting during winter, you should plan well in advance.
The best time to visit Port Douglas is from April to October, which covers the dry season. There are plenty of reasons why this is the best time to visit:
While much of the dry season is peak season, the pros significantly outweigh the cons. You can also dodge the worst of the crowds by avoiding the busiest months of April, June, July, and August. If you visit in May or September, you’ll still have ideal conditions without the crowds.
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