5 Reasons to Visit Port Douglas in May
There’s a time of year when we look around and wonder where all the tourists are…because it’s absolute perfection. The humidity has dropped, the palm trees are swaying and our laidback, seaside town is sparkling. So if you have the flexibility to book outside the confines of school holidays, and need an excuse for a cheeky getaway, read on 🤗
Grab a sundowner at Hemingway’s and watch the sunset sailboats return to the marina.
The Weather
Glorious warm, sunny days give way to comfortable evenings but it’s still considerably warmer than the cooling climes of down south. The weather is gorgeous in May.
Expect a celsius-range of between 20 degrees in the evening to 27, or higher, during the day. Some days can reach the early 30s.
The Daintree has had a good soaking too, so a visit to the oldest continuously living rainforest is a must-do. And the waterfalls, creeks, and swimming holes are flowing with pristine, cool waters after the plentiful rainfall of the ‘green season’, or the ‘big wet’, as it’s known to the locals.
Beach Please!
Yes, the iconic Four Mile Beach is there all year round and yes, it pretty much always looks stunning but May is when you’ll have it all to yourself.
In April the stingers shove off so you can enjoy the beach without the aid of a protective suit.
The waters are still warm with hardly any waves, so it’s perfect for the little ones. The Surf Life Saving Club monitors a netted area at the south end where you can hire surf skis, stand-up paddle boards, sun lounges, and umbrellas. So with a slip, slop, slap you can settle in for a day at the beach.
If you’re an early bird, walk the shores at sunrise – you may even spot a pod of dolphins in the distance.
The Town is Yours
The July school holidays are busy in Port. Parking is that little bit trickier; the reef tours can be booked out days – or even weeks – in advance, same with the Daintree tours; and the restaurants are bustling. Some of our guests book a table at their favourite eatery weeks before they arrive.
But in May you won’t have a problem doing what you want to do. The restaurants are open for business and with all the tours running, you’ll have a choice of activities to pick from. It’s still advised you book a table where possible though, just to be on the safe side!
Party Time
Leading up to the end of May there’s a buzz about town, hinting at the frivolity that’s about to descend from the 19th to the 21st of May in the form of Port Douglas Carnivale.
Think live music, a street parade, amusement rides, and plenty of food and wine courtesy of the Longest Lunch –starting 11.30 am on Friday, 19th May – and the Seafood Extravaganza held on the Sunday.
The family beach day, held on the Saturday has plenty on for the young ‘uns such as face painting and sand-sculpting. Some of our guests come back, year after year, just to experience everything they possibly can at Carnivale. And not so PG-rated entertainment is most definitely on the cards too. Check out the website for more details.
Favourable Rates
Simple: book out of peak season* and you’ll benefit from better rates. Check out our available properties, see what you like, and give us a call, or shoot us an email. We’ll take it from there.
We can’t wait to see you in May for some fun in the sun!
*Peak season is between 1 June – 31 October and during all school holiday periods including Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter.
