Sea Kayaking in Australia - North Queensland

When to go? Weather-wise, the best times to go are March-April and September-October. June-August is winter in Australia, although this is one of the warmest parts of the country and you should not rule out taking your trip at this time. Summertime can bring scorching weather - December-February being the hottest months.

Highlights: The beautiful Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays will take your breath away. The abundance of marine life will almost make you feel like trading your kayak for some snorkeling gear.

Where else in the world will you find over 1500 species of fish in an area of 1200 x 60 miles? I can’t think of anywhere else besides the spectacular Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia.

There are many fantastic locations to kayak in Northern Queensland. A good idea is to start at Port Douglas, a popular tourist destination.
There is no shortage of accommodation, rental vehicles and food supplies here.
From here you can paddle north to Cape Tribulation and Walsh Bay.
This route will eventually lead you up to Cooktown (named after explorer James Cook). You will find it harder to travel south due to the winds, sometimes reaching 30 knots or more.. But this makes it quite a breeze to travel north as well. It is possible to arrange a ride back to the south after you have paddled to Cooktown.
There is accommodation in Cooktown if you feel like resting after kayaking north. You can head back down the following day that way.

Just over 100 miles south of Cairns is Hinchinbrook Island - a superb national park which contains Mount Bowen, a 3,500 foot mountain.
If you have a few days to spare, take a paddle around the whole island and enjoy the views and wildlife.

Due to the warm water temperatures, jellyfish are about during the summer months, but can also be present in winter depending on conditions.
Tropical Queensland is renowned for its wildlife, including a little creature called Crocodile. You are safe in most parts of the water, however crocs are most abundant in the Daintree River which is north of Port Douglas and kayakers are advised to steer clear.