Visiting Cairns by yacht

When to come, where yachts anchor on the Great Barrier Reef, and how to get here.

Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.

Seasons

When to come

Season	Months	Daily high	Monthly rain
Peak	May to October	25.9 to 29.7 °C	27 to 92 mm
Shoulder	April, November	29.4 to 30.8 °C	88 to 202 mm
Off season	December to March	30.7 to 31.5 °C	194 to 436 mm

Bureau of Meteorology, Cairns Aero, all years 1942 to 2026. Season bands are our own estimate.

At anchor

Where yachts anchor

These rules are for the Cairns Planning Area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. A Location is generally 500 m from the reef edge. Overall length counts as 110 per cent of load-line length. (GBRMPA, updated 2 April 2026.)

35 m or lessAccess and anchor at all Locations, within group size limits

Over 35 m and under 70 mAnchor at reef anchorages shown on the Cairns Area Plan maps, at designated anchorages with a booking, or outside a Location and use a tender. Contact GBRMPA ahead for anchorages in northerly wind

70 m and overDesignated anchorages with a booking, or outside a Location with a tender. A licensed pilot is required in compulsory pilotage areas

Over 50 mYachts take part in Reef VTS

Check the current Cairns Area Plan and book anchorages with GBRMPA before you sail.

Cyclone season

The Bureau of Meteorology runs the cyclone season from 1 November to 30 April. The Australian region averages about 10 cyclones a season, and 3 to 4 cross the coast. A breakwall against cyclones at Trinity Inlet was finished in 2001 (Yachting Pages).

Ashore

The Esplanade Lagoon, hotels, casino and shops are a short walk from Cairns Marlin Marina (Ports North). Owners spent at least AUD 6 million in the Far North in 2024 (Cairns Local News).

Getting here

Cairns Airport has international arrivals and departures. The marina is about 10 minutes from the airport (Ports North).

Let the yachts come to you

Upload your CV and we build your crew profile from it. Captains and recruiters contact you. Free for crew.

Create your crew profile