I know this has probably been asked but when is stinger season. The whitsunday islands are a collection of islands off the central coast of queensland, australia and one of the most popular destinations in the country. With 74 islands and the great barrier reef on its doorstep, the whitsundays is. Visit cairns marine stingers in cairns cairns australia. There is no more dangerous or deadly place than the ocean waters off the coast of australia. Technically, stinger season is during the summer months, from october to may, however, they can be present yearround. Summer time in cairns brings with it the sweltering heat and high humidity which seems perfect for taking a cooling dip. Jellyfish jellyfish, or stingers as theyre referred to in australia, are also found in the warm whitsunday waters.
Tourism whitsundays, queensland australia, whitsundays. It may come as no surprise that australia is infamous for boasting many of the worlds deadliest creatures. Airlie beach is the launching pad to the whitsundays and is a 185mile drive south of townsville. Stinger and croc information marine stingers are found in the warmer waters of tropical queensland year round with the highest occurrence in stinger season from october to may. Experts prefer not to use the term stinger season as this implies that jellyfish are. Want to visit airlie beach and the whitsundays but like to snorkel and swim in water from the shore. Its stinger season on the great barrier reef, meaning snorkellers and divers should wear fullbody wetsuits for safe swimming.
Stinger season runs from october may when there is an increase in jellyfish and stingers in the ocean due to warmer water temperatures. Stingers in the whitsundays is a concern for many travelling to our destination. At this time of year the deadly box jellyfish inhabits the waters along the coast and stinger suits provide protection against their venomous stings. Lei is south of the stinger and cyclone zones, so is fine in summer.
Also, safety information about marine stingers and other dangers. We have two species of stingers that create the primary concern for visitors the box jellyfish and the much smaller and almost impossible to see, irukandji. For this reason, when snorkelling or doing any water activities in the ocean from october may it is recommended, if not enforced, that you wear a stinger suit to protect yourself. With 74 islands and the great barrier reef on its doorstep, the whitsundays is famous for its waterbased activities whether it is snorkelling, diving, or just going for a leisurely swim. Stinger season airlie beach message board tripadvisor. Three swimmers hit by marine stingers in the whitsundays daily. Generally box jellyfish will gather along the coastline and are uncommon at the whitsundays snorkel and diving sights. Stinger season it is good to know that stinger season generally runs during the warmer months of the year, and in the whitsundays this is from october to may during our summer season. I have also been in the water at islands of the whitsundays around november and offshore from. Things to do in australias summer tourism australia.
The family and i are planning on hiring a 43 yacht in the whitsundays for around a week to sail around the islands. Whitehaven beach is supposed to be australias best beach and one of the best in the world. Associate professor of the australian institute of tropical health and medicine, jamie seymour told the whitsunday times increased water. Marine stingers, box jellyfish, annoyus whenhottis, call them what you like, but they are now very much a hot topic in recent times the public have been informed that its not safe to swim in the ocean off port douglas and other tropical north queensland towns during the wet and now also called. But they may be present in the waters of northern australia.
Always swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags, inside the stinger nets where provided. I am from canada live near no oceans so this is all new to me. Marine stingers may be present in the waters of tropical queensland year round, with the higher risk season during october may. Stinger season october through to may is stinger season in the whitsundays however, that doesnt mean you cant get in the water. Dont forget that the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere and thus we were there in prime stinger season in november. Three swimmers hit by marine stingers in the whitsundays. Best time to visit the whitsundays is probably mid year june october, where you will get gorgeous, stable weather. Though jellyfish fatalities are highly uncommon in the whitsunday islands, it is always recommended to take the proper precautions. Having said that, you can snorkel off the beach at the ningaloo reef in western australia. Stinger season is october to may, but to note, stingers can be present outside these times.
Enjoy calmer waters, spot migrating whales and soak in the peaceful surrounds. Whitsundays holiday packages flights and accommodation. Hi, we will be travelling up to the whitsunday islands, airlie beach, etc. The bright white beach in northern queensland is one of natures most beautiful accidents, more than a million years in the making. Heres some tips to protect yourself in tropical waters. During this period, jellyfish are prevalent in the waters around the mainland, islands and have occasionally been found out on the reef. There are a few types of jellyfish, commonly known as stingers, which are to be found in the whitsundays area that should be avoided. Stinger season whitsunday islands forum tripadvisor. The back end of this timeframe will be a little warmer, but is getting close to stinger season. The stinger season varies, generally speaking the warmer the water the longer the season. Due to increased temperatures, there is an increase in marine stingers that can be harmful and potentially deadly. Dont let the presence of stingers put you off booking whitsundays holiday packages for this period though.
The same period is also the official cyclone season for areas around cairns and the whitsundays, although storms can also occur outside of this period. If stinger suits arent your cup of tea, there are plenty of land based activities on offer such as bush walking, sunbathing, fishing, shopping, dining and simply relaxing in the tropical ambience. A visit to the whitsundays is a feast of the senses, surrounded by natural beauty, dotted with secluded beaches and friendly towns from which to explore. Although they can be seen in parts of the reef all year, some jellyfish significantly increase in number during stinger season, due to the warmer water temperatures.
While stinger season isnt ideal, theres no reason why you cannot enjoy the queensland islands during this time. Even in the pristine whitsundays, there are some dangerous creatures to watch out for. Jellyfish stings in australia can cause pain, paralysis and death for swimmers with exposed skin. No stingers in summer, but whale shark season begins in march through to about july, and humpback whale season runs from july to october. Its the curse of the tropics the stinger season, natures reminder that australia is home to some of the deadliest creatures on earth. If you are happy to wear a stinger suit when swimming, or if water sports arent your cup of tea, there are countless other activities to be enjoyed on your whitsunday yacht charter. Also it is now stinger season from up here in cairns to. During october to may, the whitsundays experiences its stinger season, with box jellyfish and irukandji moving into the tropical waters. Tourism whitsundays, queensland australia, whitsundays holidays. So therefore, the further north you go, the longer the season. Best time to visit the whitsundays queensland yacht charters. Numerous venomous species of jellyfish occur in australian waters, including the box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish. Tropical stingers have potent toxic stings which can cause serious illness and death in some cases.
Dont want to worry about stingers originally was looking to come november. Queensland in particular where the whitsundays are located are filled with stingers, especially in the summer. For half the year, it is advised to swim in the whitsundays waters with a stinger suit, unless swimming in freshwater. Predominantly a problem along the coast and not usually affecting the great barrier reef, north queenslands marine and estuarine environment is home to many interesting animals, including some harmful. It is good to know that stinger season generally runs during the warmer months of the year, and in the whitsundays this is from october to may during our summer. Again, you need to speak with the local lifeguards to be sure. However, it is important to remember that we share the ocean with other animals which call marine waters their home. Best time to visit the queensland islands when to travel. However the appearance of jellyfish are much lower out of season.
Stingers are of particular concern in tropical australian waters between november to mayjune. Stings have occurred at all times of the year, however are more prevalent during the months of november to may. It provides great conditions to travel in and around the whitsunday region, whilst avoiding stinger season, and the school holidays for the majority of the month. Now their are a few concerns we have been told about and i just want to know a few things apparently its stinger season. November to may is therefore termed high season or peak season for marine stingers as they are more active and more numerous during this time. The beaches of cairns are truly breathtaking with glorious stretches of white pearl sands and a bounty of blue stretching to the horizon, yet with the high season sunlight pouring down this is also the time for stingers. What to do in the whitsundays on a sailing trip in. Stinger season in the whitsundays runs from late october to may. Fishing, sunbathing, shopping, dining, bushwalking, and simply relaxing on your deck can all. Not only do they protect you from stingers but they will also protect from the sun and keep you warmer during the cooler months.
Holiday and travel information about every beach in queensland, australia. Its also outside of stinger season, meaning snorkellers and divers dont have to wear fullbody wetsuits when jumping into the water to explore the great barrier reef. Late october to may is stinger season in north queensland including as far south as the whitsundays. Stinger information marine stingers may be present in the waters of tropical queensland year round, with the higher risk season during october may. Stinger expert warns of extended whitsunday season whitsunday. Experts prefer not to use the term stinger season as this implies that jellyfish are only prevalent during this time. However, wearing a stinger suit will you protect you fro their stingers so its a good idea to always wear a stinger suit when swimming in stinger season in all waters of the great barrier reef and the whitsundays. The best beach in australia is quite a claim in a country famed for its beautiful beaches but whitehaven beach is no ordinary patch of sand. The whitsundays, 74 island wonders located in the heart of the great barrier reef, on the tropical coast of queensland, australia. Outside of the peak season september combines comfortably warm weather, with the lowest rainfall of the year. For an added bonus, stinger suits also protect you against the harsh tropical sun. But just how dangerous are marine stingers, how can you.
Stingers in the whitsundays queensland yacht charters. There are simple precautions that you can take to minimise your risk and swim safely. You can fly here directly to the local airport, proserpine, from sydney, melbourne, and brisbane, or via connecting flights from other parts of australia. Includes burleigh heads, surfers paradise, whitsundays, palm cove, port douglas four mile beach and the daintree. This mainly pertains to the irukandji and the box jellyfish, which are more abundant during the summer months. Heres some incentive to don a stinger suit and swim between those stinger nets during the summer months in the tropical regions of the world. That being said, jellyfish can be present year round. From backpackers visiting the islands on 23 day sailing trips to people traveling the whitsundays on their own boat to those just staying at some of the resorts that dot the islands, anyone who goes up the east coast of australia tends to. Whitsundays and surrounds queensland tourism australia.