The month in detail
What to expect in May
Autumn in Cairns is often underrated: 79°F, golden light and declining crowds. An interesting window. Expect rain on 33% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if September (8.9/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 5 out of 12 months in Cairns. Compared to April: −4°F daytime, 15 pts fewer rainy days.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
6 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
muggy at times
19°
Sea
26°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
11.2h of daylight
Air quality
excellent
AQI 19
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Cairns is September (8.9/10), 0.7 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Cairns
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Cairns
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Australia
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyAustralian Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthDecember · 88°F
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 75°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 56%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Cairns ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
AustraliaTropical climate with a 8.9 → 4.8 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
16.92°S · 145.77°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Cairns?
September is the best month with 81°F highs, 68°F lows, 9.0h of sunshine and 14.0% rainy days. The months of September & October offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Cairns get in September?
Cairns averages 9.0 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.6/10.
What is the rainiest month in Cairns?
February is the most unfavourable month with February has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Cairns in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 68°F, while afternoon highs average 81°F.
Is Cairns good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Cairns scores 4.9/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 8.6/10.
When should you avoid Cairns?
February is the most difficult month to visit Cairns, with February has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Cairns in May?
In May, the sea averages 78°F in Cairns: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Cairns in May?
The average UV index reaches 6 in May in Cairns (high), with about 11.2h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.