Best time to visit Airlie Beach

For the best weather, visit Airlie Beach in September and October, or anytime from April to November during the winter dry season, when the days are warm and sunny.

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Airlie Beach weather

Airlie Beach experiences a tropical climate of warm, dry winters and hot, wet summers. The time of year with the least rainfall is from June through October.

The wet 'green' season from January to March is generally hot, wet and humid. You can expect tropical rain showers from December through May, with January and February the wettest months.

What is the best month to visit Airlie Beach?
September and October are considered the best months to visit Airlie Beach – the weather is warm and sunny, with clear blue skies and little to no rainfall.

However, anytime from April to November is good for a range of outdoor activitiies despite the cooler sea temperaturs from June to August.

Which is the hottest month in Airlie Beach?
The hottest month in Airlie Beach is usually December, with an average high temperature of 32°C (89°F) with high heat and humidity.

However, on the warmest days of the month, the temperature may climb to 34°C (93°F).

The hot season in Airlie Beach lasts from November to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature above 30°C (86°F).

Which is the coldest month in Airlie Beach?
The coldest month of the year in Airlie Beach is July, with an average high of 23°C (73°F) and a low of 11°C (51°F).

The cool season lasts from June to mid-August, with an average high temperature below 25°C (77°F).

When is it sunniest in Airlie Beach?
The sunniest time of year in Airlie Beach is usually September with bright sunshine on average for 78% of daylight hours; that's nine hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in Airlie Beach?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Airlie Beach in January, February and March when the water temperature averages 28°C (82°F), which is very pleasant for swimming.

The warmer water lasts from December to early-April, with an average temperature above 27°C (80°F).

You can expect cooler sea water from mid-June to early-September, with an average temperature below 23°C (73°F), which is still acceptable for swimming.

The month with the coolest water in Airlie Beach is July, with an average temperature of 21°C (69°F), which is cool for swimming comfortably.

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Airlie Beach – Temperature averages

Weather station: Proserpine Airport (PPP), also known as Whitsunday Coast Airport, located 39km (24mi) southwest of Airlie Beach. This station is deemed sufficiently nearby to be relied upon as the primary source for historical climate records, although weather conditions in Airlie Beach may vary slightly. Source: Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Climate data collected during 1991 to 2020.

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What is the humidity in Airlie Beach?
Airlie Beach experiences notable seasonal variation in humidity, with approximate average relative humidity calculated at between 61% – 78% over the course of the year.

What do the humidity conditions feel like in Airlie Beach?
We derive the humidity comfort level – what conditions feel like – from the dew point temperature, which measures moisture content in the atmosphere: a higher dew point feels more humid, while a lower dew point feels drier.

Meteorologists agree that dew point temperature is a more consistant indication of 'absolute humidity' than relative humidity, which fluctuates with temperature. 

The average annual dew point in Airlie Beach is 20°C (68°F), and varies over the course of the year from comfortable at 13°C (55°F) to muggy at 23°C (73°F).

The more humid time of year in Airlie Beach lasts from late-October through to early-May, when you can expect the comfort level to be muggy at least 30% of the time.

The month with the most muggy days in Airlie Beach is January, with around 30 days that feel humid or worse.

July and August are generally more comfortable, with an average of two days in each month that feel humid.

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Airlie Beach – Humidity and UV averages

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Which month has the most rain in Airlie Beach?
February is usually the wettest month in Airlie Beach with 345mm (345in) of rainfall on average, distributed across 12 days.

The wet season usually lasts from December through March, with a greater than 24% chance of a given day being a wet day.

The drier season lasts from April through November. The month with the least rainfall in Airlie Beach is August, with an average 7mm (‹1in) of rainfall across three days.

What are the windiest months in Airlie Beach?
March is the windiest month, with an average hourly wind speed of 15 kilometres per hour (9 mph; 8 knots).

The windy time of year lasts from early-October to early-May, with average wind speeds of more than 14 kilometres per hour (8.7 mph; 7.6 knots).

The calmer time of year lasts from early-May to early-October. The calmest month in Airlie Beach is July, with an average hourly wind speed of 12 kilometres per hour (7.5 mph; 6.5 knots).

The predominant wind direction in the Whitsundays is from the east throughout the year.

When is the best time for sailing in Airlie Beach?
While you can sail year-round from Airlie Beach, August to November is considered the most settled time of year for sailing in the Whitsundays.

The Whitsunday Islands are influenced by the South Pacific trade winds and consequently experience south-east and east winds, with the exception from November to January, when it’s usual to get wind from the northeast.

Is there a risk of a tropical storm in Airlie Beach?
The risk of a tropical storm in Airlie Beach is greatest between January and March, with March having a risk probability of 3.8%.

The region is prone to tropical cyclones, which usually form between November and May.

Queensland has an excellent cyclone warning system that provides plenty of advance notice of an impending cyclone.

Airlie Beach – Rainfall and wind averages

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Holiday seasons

High season: School and public holidays from late December to the end of January, Easter, from late-June to early-July, and from late-September to early-October.

Winter, from June through August, is also popular.

Low season: Anytime outside the main school and public holiday periods.

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Note: The waters of tropical Queensland are home to marine stingers and jellyfish. The high risk season is from October to May. Most accredited Whitsunday tour operators offer protective ‘stinger suits’ to all customers at little or no cost.

If you do get stung do not rub the sting area instead, apply vinegar immediately and seek medical attention urgently. Dial 000 for an ambulance.

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Airlie Beach weather by month

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Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.

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Latest update: Best time to visit Airlie Beach: 12 July, 2024

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.

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