Cairns in May: Start of the Dry Season, Pleasant Warmth

May marks the beginning of the dry season in Cairns, Queensland—making it one of the best months to visit.

Typical May Weather

• Average Maximum: 27°C (81°F)
• Average Minimum: 17°C (63°F)
• Humidity: ~75% (lower than wet season)
• Rainfall: ~90 mm over ~10 days (brief showers, not monsoonal)
• Water Temperature: ~26°C (79°F) – excellent for swimming/snorkeling
• Sunshine: ~7 hours/day

What This Means for Travelers

• Comfortable days for reef trips, rainforest tours, and city exploring.
• Cool nights—light jacket recommended.
• Lower humidity than Nov-Apr; less sticky, fewer mosquitoes.
• Stinger season easing (box jellyfish/Irukandji risk drops, but stinger suits still advised on outer reef).
• Peak tourist season begins—book tours/accommodation early.

May offers the "Goldilocks" window: warm enough for tropics, dry enough for adventure, before the June–August winter crowds peak.