What is the weather like in Cairns in December?

Expect temperatures between 24°C and 29°C with 34% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Cairns in December?

Cairns in December scores 58/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs.

Who should visit Cairns in December?

December in Cairns is ideal for: Beach lovers, Business travelers.

Cairns Weather in December | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

29°C

Hottest around day 18

Avg Low

24°C

Coolest around day 6

Rainy Days

26days

34% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in December

Coral Sea

29.5°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🌴Tropical

Perfect for swimming and water sports

Swim Rating

✅Excellent for swimming

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Coral Sea

Cairns coastline

Essential Travel Info for Cairns

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

AUD

$ Australian dollar

Language

English

Driving

Left side

Safety

High Safety

GPI: 1.565

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Cairns

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Low Traffic

32/ 100

Traffic Index

Quieter airport

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Jul

Low

Nov

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Brisbane City Brisbane (BNE)

Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)

Melbourne (MEL)

Townsville (TSV)

Horn Island (HID)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

6 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Australia. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Australia.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is mainly a concern in the Murray River, and the Outer Torres Strait Islands area.Recommended for travelers whoAre moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to liveSpend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitisFrequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitisConsider vaccination for travelersSpending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed netsGoing to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be thereNot recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or traveling at times outside of the Japanese encephalitis season.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Australia.If rabies exposures occur while in Australia, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Yellow Fever

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Direct travel from United States: Vaccine isnotrequired.Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine isrequiredfor travelers ≥1 year old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission.3Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is December a Good Time to Visit Cairns?

👌Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs(58/100)

Short Answer

Beach lovers rejoice: Cairns's December features 29.5°C sea temperatures alongside 29°C air temps. Just 34% rain risk makes this prime swimming season.

Decision Factors

Oppressive heat and humidity

29.4°C with 80% humidity - challenging conditions

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Feels significantly hotter than 29.4°C

Heat index: 36°C due to 80% humidity

Warm tropical seas

29.5°C sea temperature - Hot Soup

Peak tourist season

95% of annual peak - expect crowds and peak prices

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Melioidosis, Dengue

Good For

🏖️
Beach lovers
29.5°C warm seas and 34% rain probability
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather

Who Should Avoid

💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👴
Elderly travelers
Heat index of 36°C poses health risks
🌡️
Heat-sensitive visitors
36°C feels-like temperature creates discomfort

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Cairns in December averages 29°C with 34% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cairns in December

What are the temperatures in Cairns in December?

Daytime highs average 29°C, nights drop to 24°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Cairns in December?

Expect around 26 days with measurable rainfall. An umbrella is advisable.

What to wear in Cairns in December?

Light, breathable fabrics. Don't forget sunglasses and a hat.

Is December peak season in Cairns?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Cairns Weather in December

Sea Temperature in December

Cairns December Weather Calendar

Essential Travel Info for Cairns

Travel Intelligence

Smart Flight Estimator

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Key Connections

Health & Safety Advisory

COVID-19

Hepatitis B

Japanese Encephalitis

Measles

Rabies

Yellow Fever

Is December a Good Time to Visit Cairns?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Cairns in December

What are the temperatures in Cairns in December?

How many rainy days in Cairns in December?

What to wear in Cairns in December?

Is December peak season in Cairns?