Cairns Coastal Waters Forecast: Cape Tribulation to Cardwell

View the current warnings for Queensland

Forecast issued at 3:00 pm EST on Friday 24 April 2026.

Weather Situation

A firm ridge extends over the north Queensland waters and will persist for several days.

Forecast for Friday until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Friday for Cairns Coast

Winds
Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore north of Cairns during the afternoon and evening.
Seas
1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres outside the reef.
Swell
Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers.

Saturday 25 April

Strong Wind Warning for Saturday for Cairns Coast

Winds
Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore north of Cairns during the morning.
Seas
1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres outside the reef.
Swell
Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef, increasing to 1 to 2 metres around midday, then decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.

Sunday 26 April

Winds
Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots.
Seas
Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef.
Swell
Southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.

Monday 27 April

Winds
Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots.
Seas
Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef.
Swell
Southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers.

Please be awareWind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.

Nearby Coastal Waters

Great Barrier Reef Offshore Waters Forecast NT - Roper Groote Coast Forecast NSW - Byron Coast - Coastal Waters Forecast NT - Gove Peninsula Coast Forecast Gold Coast Waters Forecast Moreton Bay Forecast Sunshine Coast Waters Forecast Fraser Island Coast Forecast Hervey Bay Waters Forecast Capricornia Coast Forecast Mackay Coast Forecast Townsville Coast Forecast Cairns Coast Forecast Cooktown Coast Forecast Peninsula Coast Forecast Torres Strait Forecast North East Gulf of Carpentaria Forecast South East Gulf of Carpentaria Forecast

The next routine forecast will be issued at 9:00 pm EST Friday.

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