Best Beaches in Cairns (2026)
Planning your next outing? These are 17 of the best beaches in Cairns right now, whether you're after a lazy weekend, a day with the kids or somewhere new to explore. We rank each one by our Spot Score and keep the list fresh, so you're always seeing what's actually worth your time.
17 spots
Four Mile Beach
Four Mile Beach is a beach in Edge Hill, Cairns. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 1259 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 66/100.
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Long sandy beach fringed by palms, with watersport equipment rentals & a clifftop lookout point.
Nudey Beach
White coral beach ringed by rainforest sheltering skinks & ospreys, with views of Cairns Hinterland.
Ellis Beach
Ellis Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 132 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
Trinity Beach
Trinity Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 134 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
Stone Real Estate Cairns Beaches
Stone Real Estate Cairns Beaches is a beach in Smithfield, Cairns. It holds a 4.2-star Google rating from 170 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
Ellis Beach
Ellis Beach is a beach in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 156 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 55/100.
Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach is a beach in Clifton Beach, Cairns. It holds a 4.8-star Google rating from 59 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 52/100.
Four Mile Beach
Expansive stretch of scenic coastline, including a wide, white sand beach & rainforests.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 44 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 50/100.
Half Moon Bay Beach
Half Moon Bay Beach is a walk in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 61 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 49/100.
Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 35 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 49/100.
Pretty Beach
Pretty Beach is a beach in Smithfield, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 29 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 48/100.
Machans Beach
Machans Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 32 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 48/100.
Holloways Beach
Holloways Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 45 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 47/100.
Kewarra Beach
Kewarra Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.3-star Google rating from 32 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 45/100.
Second Beach
Second Beach is a beach in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.1-star Google rating from 13 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 41/100.
Beaches in Cairns — FAQs
What are the best beaches in Cairns?+
Our top-rated beaches in Cairns are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Cairns beaches ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter beaches by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many beaches are listed in Cairns?+
We currently feature 17 beaches across Cairns and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.