Stingers and cyclones in the Whitsundays, 2026-27

When is stinger season in the Whitsundays in 2026-27?

Peak season is November to May, so roughly November 2026 to May 2027. Stings can happen in any month.

The Whitsunday Regional Council calls November to May the peak, when box jellyfish and Irukandji are more active and more numerous. Cruise Whitsundays starts its higher-risk window a month earlier, in October.

The fix is simple: wear the suit. A full lycra or neoprene suit covers up to 75% of the body, and the council says to wear it even when wading, because that is where most box jellyfish stings happen. Stinger nets keep out box jellyfish but not the tiny Irukandji. First aid is vinegar on the sting and a call to 000. Our swimming safety guide has the full detail.

When is cyclone season, and what does BOM expect for 2026-27?

The official season runs 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. BOM says this spring and summer are likely to be hotter than usual in Queensland, and its forecasters warn of an increased chance of a severe cyclone.

The Bureau of Meteorology sets the Australian season at 1 November to 30 April, with about 8 to 9 cyclones a season in the region since 2000. BOM no longer issues a single cyclone count. Its Get Ready Queensland release of 14 October 2026 says Queensland averages about 3 to 4 tropical cyclones per season and that "this spring and summer are likely to be hotter than usual".

Warm water in the Coral Sea is the worry. BOM forecaster Laura Boekel told the ABC there is "an increased chance of seeing a cyclone that is severe" this season. Last season produced two category 5 systems in the Coral Sea. A direct hit on the Whitsundays is rare, but the swell and wind from a distant system can still cancel boats for a day or two.

Are there closures at Hill Inlet this summer?

QPWS has listed infrastructure repairs at Tongue Point, the landing for the Hill Inlet lookout walk, from 30 November to 4 December 2026.

The alert is on the QPWS Hill Inlet lookout track page. It does not say the track will close. If it does, boats that normally go to the north end will switch to the southern end of Whitehaven for those five days. Check the park alert a few days before, and if Hill Inlet is the whole point of your trip, avoid that window.

A second alert covers oiling work at Nara Inlet from 16 to 19 November 2026. That one barely touches day trips; the Shute Harbour cruise only passes the inlet.

What happens to Whitsundays tours on bad-weather days?

Tours run in rain. If the operator cancels for wind, swell or a cyclone warning, you get a new date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, the usual free window applies.

Cruise Whitsundays says its trips "run rain or shine" and suggests checking the forecast about 48 hours ahead. Rain alone rarely stops a boat. Strong wind does: fast boats and the open-water reef run are the first to be called off, and operators sometimes change the order of stops or swap the north end for the south.

Know your cancellation window before you book in summer. Most tours on this site cancel free up to 24 hours before. Cruise Whitsundays trips need 2 days. Our advice for a cyclone-season trip: book your boat for early in your stay, so a blown-out day can move.

Is whale season over in the Whitsundays?

Yes. Humpbacks pass through from about May to September, with calving from June to September. By late October most have left.

Tourism Whitsundays gives May to September for the migration. A late straggler is possible in October, never guaranteed. Most of the Whitsundays is a Whale Protection Area, where boats keep 300 m away. The summer trade-off: no whales, but turtles are around all year, and the water is at its warmest.

Is summer still a good time for a Whitsundays day tour?

Yes, with flexible plans. The water is warm, the boats are less crowded than in winter, and a stinger suit takes care of the main risk.

Expect heat in the high 20s, humidity, and afternoon storms from December. January to March are the wettest months by far. Morning departures give you the calmer part of the day. Bring a dry bag for your phone, and plan one spare day in case the wind wins.

For the full month-by-month view, read our best time to visit guide.

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