When To Visit The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are a natural wonderland all year round. Yes, you heard that right! Our slice of tropical paradise sits in the same tropical latitude as Honolulu and Mauritius, giving it the illusion of everlasting summer! 

Don’t hesitate to book your holiday at any time of the year! Smooth sailing, crystal-clear waters for snorkelling and waterfront beach houses are not seasonal here in the Whitsundays. Daily temperatures average at 27 °C, perfect for island exploration and traipsing across the Whitsunday seas. The water maintains an average of 25 °C, so you can take a dip all year round! 

While a visit to the Whitsunday is always a good idea, no matter the month, there are a few things to take into account when planning your Whitsunday getaway. So, let’s dive into the seasonal differences of the Whitsundays! 

The Whitsunday Weather Stand-up paddleboard


Summer 

Sunshine galore is ensured when you visit the Whitsundays during the Australian summer (December - February)! However, you will also get some tropical rain, usually in the afternoon due to the wet season that falls between January and March. So, between days of hot, sunburnt days, you will experience periods of humid, tropical rains.

However, if you are looking to explore the local rainfalls and natural swimming storms, summer is a fantastic time to visit the Whitsundays! With a balance of sunshiney days and fresh rain, you’ll experience the best of both worlds… just remember your hat and brolly! 


Winter

A Whitsunday winter is quite surprisingly a simply beautiful experience! From June to August, the Whitsunday region sees average daily highs of 25 °C and substantially cooler nights. This is an ideal temp for getting out and seeing tropical destinations without the harsh hot sun! 

As a much dryer time, you won’t experience as much rain during Winter, so the waterfalls are not usually flowing. However, Winter is when Humpback Whales pass through on their Antarctic migration… so keep an eye out for these wondrous giants! While the winter may seem cooler, the Queensland sun is always strong, so don’t forget to slip, slop, slap and bring along good ray protection! 

Best Weather Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach sunshine


School Holidays

To avoid the crowds, you may want to plan your visit outside of the busy school holiday periods. Queensland school holidays occur between December and January, in mid-April and late September. Also, always check the QLD Covid border restrictions before embarking on your journey to the Whitsundays.


Stinger Season 

October to May is named peak stinger season, which may impact your decision to travel to the Whitsundays. The only difference to your Whitsunday experience will be a requirement to wear a stinger suit when swimming and snorkelling in and amongst the Whitsunday Islands. However, these suits are predominantly provided free of charge on your sailing experiences, and makes little difference to your time out at sea! 

Snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, Stinger Season, Jellyfish Safety


So, when should I visit?

Whenever you want! The Whitsundays hold so much versatility and year-round sunshine, making it a perfect spot to visit anytime you want to escape to tropical paradise… whether it’s for a weekend or two weeks! If you value quiet periods, avoid school holidays, and if you’re cautious of jellyfish, schedule around stinger season. Nevertheless, we cannot wait to see you make it to our favourite slice of paradise! 

Adventurer Sunshine Seasons Whitsunday weather

Don’t hesitate to contact our friendly, local travel experts with any questions, or to plan your next Whitsunday experience! 

Live chat here, or call us on +61 7 4914 2425.