WA
373 posts
Anyone had any experience sailing in Cairns? If so where, when and how windy is it?
WA
12887 posts
No experience, but I've spoken to locals, they say Port Douglas & Green Island. Green Island having much more wind, not exactly sure but I get the impression a 5.0 sail isn't eceptional.
decrepit
WA
3182 posts
Yeh Mate, I live there.
The local spot is Yorkies, with Port Douglas just north of here. Best sailing is in winter (not cold), but generally all year. Wind is mainly 12 to 25 & choppy, no real waves. Last seasion was the worst I can remember for wind. As Decrepit said, you can also sail at Green Is, great spot with alot more wind normally, 45min boat ride, but not cheap.
Seabreeze has a graph for Cairns, Green & Low Isles (Port Douglas).
Cheers
WA
5 posts
Hello,
I hesitate between Cairns and Port Douglas for my holiday trip in June. It seems that Port Douglas is better for windsurfing.
What about tourism? (I'll be a basic tourist) It seems that Port Douglas is a small town. Is there a diving center, car rental?
Thanks a lot,
Pyorg
WA
887 posts
Yep its a good spot to visit. I normally sail on a 5.5 ezzy and a AHD powerwave 83l or same size sail with freesex 96 litre. This combination works for me 80% of the time. I'm around 80kg. Like firiebob says winter time is best, after the jelly fish have buggered off SE trades blow from May to October. You dont need a wet suit, only thing is that the water isnt that clear. Winter time is also backpacker season so the town is a bit more lively.
WA
3182 posts
Hi Pyorg,
I wouldn't say Port Douglas was better, just another spot.
Port Douglas is expensive to stay, but is a short drive from Cairns for a sail anyway. Both towns have lots of dive centers & Car rentals.
Tourism is big here, so lots to do, such as diving, white water rafting, rainforest, bungy, trips to the reef (Great Barrier Reef) etc etc. Cairns has lots of good quality backpacker accomodation also.
Cheers
WA
887 posts
Port douglas can be good but why drive 50 minutes to sail when u can drive 5 to get the same conditions. If u go there be careful of the reef at low tide its upwind of the rigging area. A better place is Wonga beach if you feel like heading up that way as the waves are bigger. Although its dead onshore as it faces the SE and only 15-20 minutes from port. There are heaps of places to stay for backpackers average price is $10-$24 dollas per night for a dorm room. Gilligans is a new backpacker resort up here and would be the best place to stay i reckon as its right in the city and is where most people head on a fri-sat-sun night.
WA
887 posts
No rental gear and no surf due to the great barrier reef not letting any swell through.
WA
373 posts
Ahh gidday Firebob and troppo, thanks for breathing warmth back into me I was starting to panic, I live in Perth and we usually get a pretty good summer, I usually sail an 87l board and sail a 4.5 up to a 5.7. We have an opportunity to moove up that way next year, but as always local conditions must be seriously considered, its good to know I can get out for a blast, how many days a week on average would you have a chance to get out during winter?
Is there any opportunity to sail or surf on the reefs of shore, or are they just to far away and too protective?
Thanks for your help.
WA
887 posts
during winter you could probably sail every day of the week at the beach provided u had a larger sail and board. I use simialr equipment and would sail maybe 4 days max on wave gear. AS for the reefs the only reef i've sailed is the one surrounding Green is. on a high tide it is excellent bump and jump sailing right up the top of the island. both port and starbord tack waves although it is hit and miss sometimes. other people have sailed over to arlington reef from green but i wouldnt reckomend it as there is a lot of deep blue water between u and the next closest bit of land as it is down wind from green. there are a stack of reefs that i have seen waves breaking on but getting there on a 25kn southeaster would not be fun!!!
hope that helps
WA
3182 posts
Hi Arancini, I'm acually from Perth Originally, left 29 years ago. Go back every now and again to see family, even spent 4 months there a few years ago on long service, sailing & catching up. Sailed Melville (near mum), Pelican Pt, Dutch Inn & Lancelin.
Best place to sail = WA
Best place to live = FNQ
I love living here & get to sail heaps (shift worker), but the water is choppy & dirty inshore, and the wind is moderate & gusty inshore also.
I sail slalom gear, and blast up & down the coast. Troppo is a young fella who does all the tricks, & loop s**t on wave & freestyle gear.
Tea baging is big here, and the B**tards come from far & wide winter time, conditions seem to suit them.
Summer we have to wear a lycro stinger suit, but I never have to wear a wet suit.
Hope this rambling helps,
Cheers
