10 Best Beaches in Cairns

While this coastal village is small, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Palm Cove is a more relaxed pace of life with quieter beaches perfect for swimming, sunbathing and taking beautiful pictures. It’s also ideal for sea fishing while a stinger-resistant safety net protects you from jellyfish. Take to the water with a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or kiteboard to make your way to Double Island. You may even spot small rays, dolphins, dugong and whale pods if you’re lucky.

Palm Cove is also the perfect spot for relaxation with yoga classes and spa and wellness treatments inspired by traditional Aboriginal practices. Make sure you check out the Palm Cove market for handmade products, jewellery, leather work, pottery, clothing and skincare products.

Trinity Beach offers a remarkable combination of accommodation, places to eat, stunning scenery and fun activities. One of the incredible things about the accommodation here is that it’s literally on the beach front, offering the best views and infinity pools which turn into the Coral Sea. Trinity Beach is particularly good for families with lifeguards and stinger nets on the beach and the huge Bluewater playground.

Located 30 minutes north of Cairns, Trinity Beach is also great for local strolls with the Taylors Point walk – a 2.3-kilometre stroll which offers stunning views of Trinity Beach and Double Island. Another option is to hike Earl Hill where you’ll see a panoramic view of the Coral Sea.

Yorkeys Knob beach is perfect for thrill seekers, with kite surfing being one of the major attractions here. You can also go on fishing tours or private charters to explore the waters in more depth. Alternatively, you can take to the skies and see the Great Barrier Reef from above.

Approximately a 20-minute drive from Cairns, Yorkeys Knob Beach also has one of the best patio restaurants in the area in the form of Yorkeys Boat Club. With themed nights – including children’s nights – and entertainment, this is the liveliest establishment in the area.

When you come to Nudey Beach you’ll find a relaxed vibe with pristine white sands and a sparkling blue ocean teeming with life. Part of the Great Barrier Reef, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find beautiful coral reefs just metres from the shore. This sheltered coastline makes it the perfect environment for both adults and children to go snorkelling.

Located on Fitzroy Island, a 45-minute boat ride from Cairns, Nudey Beach will feel as though you’ve left the hustle and bustle behind, allowing you to truly relax. After sunbathing on the beach, consider doing the Nudey Beach Walking Trail, a 15-minute walk which will immerse you in nature and allow you to spot some of the local wildlife.

With a population of 24 and only accessible by car, Ellis Beach is ideal for a quiet, more remote getaway. The southern end of the beach is particularly good for fishing if you fancy catching your own dinner. A kilometre-long beach, it’s relatively sheltered due to the fact it’s surrounded by a rocky outcrop and Double Island.

Separated from Palm Cove, Ellis Beach has the same beauty and charm but with far fewer people. Be careful if you’re swimming here: there are no lifeguards and there are fewer people about should you get into trouble.

A safe, patrolled beach along the coast of the Great Barrier Reef, Four Mile Beach allows the whole family to relax. The spotless, white sands are perfect for sunbathing, running or biking. If you fancy an adventure on the water, kitesurfing or stand-up paddleboarding lessons are available. Make sure you keep an eye on the world below the water.

A 1-hour drive from Cairns city centre, it is well worth walking to Flagstaff Hill Lookout to see views of the coastline including the Low Isles, Snapper Island and the mountains nestled behind Port Douglas. Four Mile Beach also regularly hosts events such as family fun days, mountain biking competitions and running festivals, so make sure you check the calendar.

A secluded and more private location, Kewarra Beach has all the ingredients for a relaxing day. Popular among locals for dog walks and fishing, the white sands and blue ocean will take your breath away, especially at sunset. In the summer, the beach is patrolled and there are stinger nets in place for swimming.

A 20-minute drive from Cairns, consider staying at Kewarra Beach Resort to enjoy a luxurious stay with the solitude of a private beach. Throughout the year, Kewarra Beach Resort offers several dining options to guests and non-guests including pizza, tapas and drinks on the beach. Fine dining options are also available.

A 6,000-year-old coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef, you can see some of the 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish by scuba diving, snorkelling or taking a glass-bottom boat tour. If you go for a dip, you may even find yourself just metres away from Green and Hawksbill turtles. On the beach, you can also hire water sports equipment, lockers, towels and umbrellas.

A 45-minute boat ride from Cairns, you can extend your time here by staying at the Green Island Resort, a luxury resort nestled within the rainforest. These secluded rooms give you great views of the island’s wildlife without letting others see you and are designed to help you relax.

Mission Beach should arguably be called Mission Beaches as it features 14 kilometres of sand, connecting 3 beaches and 4 villages. The smaller beaches and hidden coves are part of the charm and it’s relatively normal to not see another person as you explore the beach.

Around a 1-hour drive from Cairns and part of the Cassowary Coast, it’s home to the endangered Southern Cassowary. Surrounded by 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest – Mission Beach spoils you with its natural beauty. This beach is ideal for picnicking and enjoying a relaxing day.

The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon saltwater pool provides a fun and safe place for the whole family to swim as it is monitored by lifeguards and there are no currents or rip tides to worry about. There’s also 2.5 kilometres of paths alongside the lagoon perfect for walking, biking or jogging.

Overlooking the Trinity Inlet there are lots of other ways to entertain the whole family including beach volleyball courts, children’s playgrounds, a bouldering park and fitness stations so you can exercise outside. After all the fun, you can make use of the BBQ and picnic facilities to refuel. Toilets, showers and changing facilities are also available to make your trip easier.