Yorkeys Knob (Cairns)
Also known as: Yorkeys, Barron River mouth
Tropical FNQ beach, palms, reef and island views
Wind & season
Wind, water and season at this QLD, ~15 min N of Cairns, Australia spot - what to expect and when to come.
May-Nov SE trade winds (dry season); school closed in wet season
SE trade winds (also S), approx 15-20 knots building to 25-30 as season progresses; northerlies too light
Very consistent SE for ~8 months; good breeze most sunny dry-season days
Dry windy season May to November, peaking mid winter around July
Low to mid tide best - sandbanks give flat waist-deep water; ocean chop at high tide out front
Shore break and strong along-beach current; wind fluky with rocks north of rigging area
The water
Mixed
Choppy open sea off rigging area; waist-deep flat over sandbars at Thomatis Creek/Barron River mouth at mid-low tide
Warm all year ~24-30C (est)
Boardshorts or lycra when warm; full stinger suit (lycra plus hood) Oct-May stinger season
Skill & group fit
All levels; best for intermediate bump-and-jump, beginners on flat creek sandbars
3 (moderate)
Beginners on flat waist-deep sandbars south at creek mouth; intermediates chop and downwinders out front
Grass rigging with shade, wide sandy beach, free on-site parking; good group fit, 10-15 min walk to flats
Getting there & schools
Southern end Sims Esplanade (cnr Wattle St); grass rig, wide easy sand launch
Kiteboarding Cairns / Pacific Watersports run the school and kite shop at Yorkeys Knob (dry season only)
Grass, shade trees, public toilets, BBQ, kids playground, kite shop, accommodation, cafes
Great Barrier Reef trips, Cairns city, marina, golf, rainforest day trips
Friendly local scene; plenty of room, beginners can spread out from advanced riders
Permits & safety
None documented; free on-site parking (VERIFY)
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Box jellyfish in wet season (summer); rocks and fluky wind north of main rigging area
No dedicated spot boat; Coast Guard Cairns nearby (VERIFY)
000; Cairns Hospital (~20 min drive)
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand wind-sport spot report. Coordinates are approximate.