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Port Douglas sits at 16 degrees south on the Coral Sea coast of Far North Queensland, roughly 60 km north of Cairns. It has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons that are easy to plan around: a hot, wet season from November to April and a warm, dry season from May to October. July is the coolest month with an average high of 25°C (77°F), while January peaks at 31°C (88°F). The town receives about 2,000 mm of rain a year, and almost all of it falls between December and March, so the timing of your trip changes everything about what you can do each day. Read this monthly breakdown alongside the best time to visit Port Douglas guide to lock in your dates, then browse the things to do in Port Douglas list for your dry-season itinerary.
Port Douglas Weather by Month: Climate at a Glance
These are long-term monthly averages from Bureau of Meteorology stations around Port Douglas and Mossman. Note the rain column: January, February and March each deliver more rain than the whole dry season combined.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain (mm) | Sea Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 405 | 29°C |
| February | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 430 | 29°C |
| March | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 435 | 28°C |
| April | 29°C (84°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 215 | 27°C |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 90 | 25°C |
| June | 26°C (79°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 50 | 24°C |
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 40 | 23°C |
| August | 26°C (79°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 35 | 23°C |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 | 24°C |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 | 26°C |
| November | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 105 | 27°C |
| December | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 200 | 28°C |
Port Douglas Weather by Month: January to March, the Wet Season Peak
January, February and March are the wettest and most humid months, with 400 to 435 mm of rain each and humidity near 80 percent. Rain arrives as heavy afternoon or overnight downpours rather than all-day drizzle, so mornings are often sunny and hot before storms build by mid-afternoon. Temperatures stay high through the night, with lows of 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F), which makes sleeping without air conditioning hard. This is also the core of cyclone season, which officially runs November to April, and a tropical low can bring several days of solid rain at once. The Port Douglas neighborhoods guide covers which areas stay most sheltered and walkable when it pours.
Port Douglas Weather by Month: April to June, the Transition
April is the turning point. Rain drops sharply from 435 mm in March to about 215 mm in April, and by May it is down to 90 mm. Humidity falls from the high 70s into the low 60s by June, and nights finally cool to 18°C (64°F). May is a sweet spot for many travellers: the wet-season cloud has cleared, the rainforest is still green and full, and daytime highs of 27°C (81°F) are comfortable for reef trips. By June the dry season is fully established, with only about 50 mm of rain and clear, sunny days.
Port Douglas Weather by Month: July to September, the Dry Season
July, August and September are the driest, sunniest months of the year, with only 35 to 40 mm of rain and 8 to 9 hours of sunshine a day. July is the coolest month at 25°C (77°F) by day and 17°C (63°F) at night, which locals find crisp after the wet season. The low humidity makes reef trips and Daintree walks far more comfortable than in summer. Sea temperatures sit at 23 to 24°C, cool enough that reef operators hand out stinger suits or thin wetsuits, but still warm enough to swim. Bookings are heaviest now, so secure accommodation early through our where to stay in Port Douglas guide.
Port Douglas Weather by Month: October to December, the Build-Up
October and November are the build-up: temperatures climb back toward 30°C (86°F), humidity creeps up, and the first afternoon storms return. October is still fairly dry at 60 mm of rain, but November jumps to 105 mm and December to 200 mm as the monsoon trough moves south. The sea warms to 27 to 28°C, which is great for swimming, but jellyfish season starts around November, so only swim inside the stinger nets on Four Mile Beach. The events and festivals in Port Douglas calendar also starts filling up again before the Christmas rush.
Port Douglas Weather by Month: Sea Temperature, Stingers and Swimming
Sea temperature ranges from 23°C in July to 29°C in January and February, so the water is never cold the way southern Australian beaches are. The real constraint is marine stingers. Box jellyfish and the smaller Irukandji are present in coastal waters from about November to May, and during that stretch you should only swim at the patrolled, netted section of Four Mile Beach in front of the surf life saving club. On the outer Great Barrier Reef the risk is far lower year-round, and operators provide stinger suits on all reef trips regardless of season. Check the Port Douglas travel tips guide for what to pack, and start with the Port Douglas guide for the full picture of the town.
