Cairns in May gives you the perfect weather for some underwater fun! As the last month of the wet season, the weather is drier and more comfortable, with temperatures ranging from 20°c to 28°c. This drop in humidity and rainfall means better underwater visibility on the reef too, giving you the ideal conditions to explore Cairns and its breathtaking oceans.
Perfect Weather for Exploring the Great Barrier Reef
May’s weather is pretty much perfect for all outdoor activities around Cairns. With humidity dropping and rainfall becoming less frequent, you can comfortably explore the reefs, rainforests and everything in between, but if you only have time for one thing, make it an exploration of the spectacular UNESCO listed Great Barrier Reef!
Thanks to the wet season easing off, water visibility is improving, so snorkelling and diving trips to the Reef are a must – the colourful marine life is abundant and the slightly cooler water temperatures are super refreshing.
The reef is truly alive with vibrant coral formations and teeming with marine life, like colourful fish, sea turtles, graceful manta rays and so much more. Make sure you bring an underwater camera to capture the spectacular underwater scenery. There are many tour operators offering trips to the reef, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Local Fun
May in Cairns is jam-packed with so many activities and events. There’s the North Queensland Games, the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games and Crankworx Cairns for sporting enthusiasts, then for the little ones, there’s the much anticipated Cairns Children's Festival. If that’s not enough for you, check out our Things to do in Cairns page for more fun.
For the best time to visit Cairns, check out what you can expect in Cairns in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November December.
