Best time to visit the Whitsundays
The best time to visit the Whitsundays is from late-June to mid-November during the dry season.
For hot-weather activities on the beach or poolside, the best times to visit the Whitsundays are from late-March to early-May; and from late-September to mid-December.
Whitsundays weather
The Whitsundays experience a tropical climate of hot, wet summers and warm, relatively dry winters, with a mild spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May).
You can expect some rainfall throughout the year in the Whitsundays.
The wet 'green' season from January to March is generally hot, wet and humid. You can expect tropical rain showers from December through May, with January to March the wettest months.
What is the best month to visit the Whitsundays?
July, August, September and October are considered the best months to visit the Whitsundays – the weather is pleasantly warm with sunny, clear blue skies and little to no rainfall.
However, anytime between May and November is good, despite the cooler sea water temperatures in July and August.
Which is the hottest month in the Whitsundays?
The hottest month in the Whitsundays is normally January, with an average high of 30°C (86°F), with high heat and humidity, and a low of 25°C (77°F).
However, on the warmest days of the month, the temperature may climb to around 34°C (93°F).
The hot season lasts from November through March, with an average daily high temperature above 28°C (82°F).
Which is the coldest month in the Whitsundays?
The coldest month in the Whitsundays is normally July, with an average high of 21°C (69°F) and a low of 18°C (64°F).
The cool season lasts from early-June to late-August, with an average daily high temperature below 23°C (73°F).
When is it sunniest in the Whitsundays?
The sunniest time of year in the Whitsundays is usually September with nine hours of bright sunshine per day; that's around 78% of daylight hours.
On average, the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 83% of the time during September.
What is the driest month in the Whitsundays?
September has the least rainfall with an average of 9mm (‹1in) distributed across three days.
The drier season lasts from April through November.
When is the sea warmest in the Whitsundays?
The sea is usually at its warmest in the Whitsundays in January, February and March when the seawater temperature reaches 28°C (82°F), which is pleasant for swimming.
From December to early-April, the average seawater temperature is above 27°C (80°F), which is warm enough for swimming.
Cooler sea water temperatures last from mid-June to mid-September, with an average temperature below 23°C (73°F).
The coolest time is in winter, during July and August, with an average water temperature of 22°C (71°F), which is barely acceptable for swimming.
Which month has the most rain in the Whitsundays?
The month with the most wet days in the Whitsundays is January, with an average of 260mm (10in) of rainfall, distributed across 13 days.
The rainy season normally lasts from December through March, with a greater than 24% chance of a given day being a wet day.
The drier season lasts from May through November. September has the least rainfall with an average of 9mm (‹1in) distributed across three days.
What are the windiest months in the Whitsundays?
March is the windiest month, with an average hourly wind speed of 26 kilometres per hour (16 mph; 14 knots).
The windy time of year lasts from late-January to mid-June, with average wind speeds of more than 24 kilometres per hour (15 mph; 13 knots).
The calmer time of year lasts from mid-June to late-January. The calmest month in the Whitsundays is September, with an average hourly wind speed of 22 kilometres per hour (14 mph; 12 knots)..
The predominant wind direction in the Whitsundays is from the east throughout the year.
When is the best time for sailing in the Whitsundays?
While you can sail year-round in the Whitsundays, August to November is considered the most settled time of year for sailing in the Whitsundays.
The Whitsunday Islands are influenced by the South Pacific trade winds and consequently experience south-east and east winds, with the exception from November to January, when it’s usual to get wind from the northeast.
Is there a risk of a tropical storm in the Whitsundays?
The risk of a tropical storm in the Whitsundays is greatest between January and March. with March having a risk probability of 3.8%.
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.
Are there marine stingers in the Whitsundays?
The waters of tropical Queensland – including the Whitsunday Islands – are home to marine stingers and jellyfish.
The peak stinger risk season is from October to May. However, most accredited Whitsunday tour operators offer protective ‘stinger suits’ to all customers at little or no cost, so you can still enjoy swimming and snorkelling.
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.
Whitsundays Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average daily max (°C) | |||||||||||
| 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 |
| Average daily min (°C) | |||||||||||
| 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| Average relative humidity (%) | |||||||||||
| 79 | 83 | 82 | 81 | 83 | 82 | 79 | 79 | 74 | 74 | 76 | 78 |
| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11+ | 11+ | 11+ |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 260 | 254 | 167 | 159 | 95 | 32 | 28 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 25 | 104 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 28 |
| Hamilton Island, Queensland | |||||||||||
Holiday seasons
High season: Typically, school and public holidays from late December to the end of January, Easter, from late June to early July and from late September to early October. Winter, from June through August, is also popular.
Low season: Any time outside the main school and public holiday periods.
Whitsundays weather by month
Note: Meteorological data for the Whitsundays 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 station, Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), also known as Great Barrier Reef Airport. Additional climate data is sourced from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
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.
Latest update: Best time to visit Whitsundays: 29 September, 2023
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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