Overview

Yorkeys Knob is the most popular kitesurf spot in the Cairns region, located 20 minutes north of the city, in northern Queensland. This spot is a true tropical flat water paradise, attracting kitesurfers from around the world during the dry season. During the dry and windy season from May to November, the southeast trade winds blow consistently at 15-20 knots, reaching 25-30 knots at peak season. The best spot is at the mouth of Thomatis Creek, south of the rigging area. This area is well worth the 10-15 minute walk: at low tide, the sandbars create a perfectly flat body of water with only waist-deep water, a paradise for freestyle and learning. At high tide, the outer sandbars produce beautiful waves. The rigging area is well established with an active rider community. Several kite schools operate at the spot. Watch out for jellyfish (stingers) - the season ends in June, wear a full wetsuit before then. Saltwater crocodiles are present near the river mouth and the area is not recommended for those who spend a lot of time in the water. Yorkeys Knob has a marina, restaurants, and amenities. It is the ideal spot to combine a kitesurf trip with exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

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Spot forecast for Yorkeys Knob

Sunrise 05:45 · Sunset 18:18

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

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Swell and waves

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 7.5 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 00:37 · 1 m High tide 05:55 · 1.6 m Low tide 11:16 · 1 m High tide 17:50 · 2.4 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 00:35 · 0.9 m High tide 06:08 · 1.8 m Low tide 11:48 · 0.9 m High tide 18:09 · 2.4 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 00:44 · 0.8 m High tide 06:30 · 2 m Low tide 12:18 · 0.9 m High tide 18:30 · 2.5 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 00:59 · 0.7 m High tide 06:56 · 2.1 m Low tide 12:49 · 0.8 m High tide 18:53 · 2.5 m
Saturday 24 October Low tide 01:19 · 0.5 m High tide 07:26 · 2.3 m Low tide 13:23 · 0.8 m High tide 19:19 · 2.5 m

Yorkeys Knob: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

351h

in May · 30 rideable days

The season runs from April to October, peaking in May: 26 rideable days a month and 351 hours of usable wind, at 27 °C. The low point is January, at 11 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 95%13-20 knots · 5%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 95% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 26 °C. The wettest month is January, with 422 mm.

Monthly averages: Yorkeys Knob

Monthly averages — Yorkeys Knob — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	11.0	76 h	32 °C	422 mm
February	11.0	101 h	30 °C	337 mm
March	17.0	172 h	30 °C	359 mm
April	24.5	274 h	29 °C	74 mm
May	30.0	351 h	27 °C	52 mm
June	25.5	245 h	26 °C	28 mm
July	23.5	229 h	26 °C	38 mm
August	26.5	273 h	26 °C	17 mm
September	26.5	287 h	28 °C	40 mm
October	22.0	241 h	30 °C	31 mm
November	18.0	169 h	31 °C	55 mm
December	14.5	144 h	30 °C	319 mm

Photo gallery of Yorkeys Knob

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Technical details of Yorkeys Knob spot

The spot works with winds from E, ESE, SE, SSE.

Depending on conditions: ENE, S.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Beginner

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Live

CAIRNS AERO6.7 kmsource Bureau of Meteorology Australia

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Additional stations

Cairns International Airport Airport6.7 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source aviationweather.gov
CAIRNS RACECOURSE14.7 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source Bureau of Meteorology Australia

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Webcams near Yorkeys Knob

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Queensland

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Yorkeys Knob kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot