As an added protection from the sun, take a light, long-sleeved shirt. Wetsuits, stinger suits and lycra suits are available on most Cairns Great Barrier Reef day tour and liveaboard boats. For your comfort and safety, it is highly recommended that you wear these when in the water, especially during the summer months.
Cairns City is known for sunny weather, warm winters, and for being the gateway to the tropics of Australia. The town itself is small, it's easy to walk around the entire city in a day, or jump on a shuttle or bus to get around.
Can you swim in the ocean in Cairns? Of course you can! Your main concerns when taking a dip in the Cairns ocean are stingrays and jellyfish. That's not to say saltwater crocodiles don't pose a threat on the beaches as well, however, they tend to prefer the muddy and brackish waters of estuaries and creeks.
Honestly, a lifetime is not enough to explore and enjoy all the amazing natural wonders of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. But if you can't spend your life on holiday, we recommend at least three days in Cairns to discover the main attractions. If you have more time, great!