Swim at Cairns Beaches

Beaches in Cairns have a tropical and relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for a sunny holiday with or without the kids.

Cairns is the perfect spot for a beach day and there are many suitable beaches for swimming! There are Surf Lifesavers available at most beaches and stinger net enclosures. Check the Surf Life Saving website for more information on lifeguards and if the beaches are open. All these beaches are safe to swim in. When you go swimming at the beach you should follow safety instructions and signage. Only swim at the beach when it has a lifeguard.

The best beaches to swim at are mainly in the Northern suburbs. The beaches in the city aren’t suitable for swimming due to crocodiles and it being too buddy. However, there is a lagoon to swim in if you’re staying in Cairns City.

Holloways Beach

Holloways Beach is roughly a 15 minute drive from Cairns and is one of the closest beaches to the city. You’ll see most people at this beach relaxing by the waters. Holloways Beach is protected by a stinger net during the summer months and there are lifesavers. The beach is wheelchair accessible and there can be markets at the foreshore. At the foreshore, there is also a playground, a picnic area undercover and BBQs.

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is between Cairns and Palm Cove. It’s one of the few beaches that doesn’t have a lot of people. At this beach, you’ll find a lot of surfers, especially kite surfers. Yorkeys Knob has lifesavers during stinger season between November to May. There are also stinger nets during this time in the warmer months. Yorkeys Knob is wheelchair accessible. The beach also has a walking and bike path, playground, benches, BBQs, and covered picnic areas.

Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach is one of the known beaches in Cairns. At the foreshore, there are picnic shelters, benches, playgrounds, and BBQs. The beach is wheelchair accessible and there is some shade under the almond and coconut trees. There are cafes and restaurants nearby. From November to May, there are stinger nets and lifesavers.

Kewarra Beach

Kewarra Beach is one of the quieter beaches in Cairns. You’ll find people walking their dogs or having a picnic using the BBQs at the northern end of the beach. There is also a playground, and the beach is wheelchair accessible. During the summer months, Kewarra Beach has lifesavers and there are stinger nets.

Clifton Beach

The foreshore at Clifton Beach has a lot of shade. There are benches, tables, and a playground at the northern end of the beach. Over the summer months, Clifton Beach has lifesavers with a stinger net.

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is the most popular beach in Cairns. Between November to May, the beach has stinger nets and lifesavers. The foreshore is very shady with benches, a walking path, a bike path, BBQs, and a playground. There are also the Palm Cove markets which run on the foreshore. The markets run on the first Sunday of the month from April to December

Ellis Beach

Ellis Beach is a very low-key beach and perfect to relax. The foreshore is shady with BBQs. The beach has lifesavers during summer and there are stinger nets.

With many busy and low-key beaches available, you can swim and enjoy the atmosphere. Relaxing on the beaches in northern Queensland is a perfect way to spend a day.