jacksonjacko49

We are looking at the day tour to Lizard Island with daintree air services in january next year.

Any one have some concrete information on weather at that time of year. Greg ( the pilot ) told us January is one of the best months to go snorkelling at Lizard.

We have read some great reports here and on other sites about this day. We are just a little concerned with the rainy season.

Thanks for your help.
Jacko

pat_woolford

Believe Greg, he flies out there all the time and he'll cancel trip if weather looks bad. Its not likely to be in January, wet seasons of late have started much later and often then it only rains at night on mainland and is clear and sunny out on reef and islands. Lizard Island isn't a lush rainforested island, its actually quite arid.

LynAK

I was pretty surprised by Lizard Island. It is definitely not your lush, green place. There are trees I'm sure around the resort, but much of the island that I saw was, as Pat says, arid. I didn't hang around the resort as was there with a friend who was captain on a cargo boat that supplied the resort, (which is quite posh). We went around to some of the little bays; the water (crystal, crystal clear) and the beaches were just amazing, but it isn't what you think of as a "tropical" island. If you go to Lizard, read up on Mrs. Watson. You can see (or at least you could in the late 1980s) the remains of her cottage.

jacksonjacko49

Thank you Pat and Lyn,

I spoke with Greg on the phone just now and yes he does seem to know what he is talking about.

Weather is a big factor with us as we have just two days to spend in the Cairns area.

Seems like this might be the best way to get in as much reef as is possible in a short period.

Do you have any other recommendations for the second day in your part of the world.

Jacko.

pat_woolford

It is a very short period Jacko but you have no wriggle time so I'd go for it. You could have asked this question for July/August when for some mysterious reason the weather is reputed by many to be better and be caught in a 30 knot or more south easterly. Very unlikely in January.

Two days is very little time, if you give us an idea of your interests am sure someone will make a suggestion for the second day.

jacksonjacko49

Hi Pat / Lyn.

We know the time is short but have no choice.

We were thinking we wanted to stay at Port Douglas but the following itinerary does not allow us to do that.
Do you think we will be missing much staying in Cairns rather than Port Douglas.

We have read so much about Port Douglas.
We have not booked this up as yet and have not made a decision on accommodation.

What do the local experts think ?

We fly into Cairns from Syd at 09.05 Jan 9.

We are looking at doing Cable Car Skyrail at 10.45 on that day.

Jan10. Daintree Air Lizard Island Tour.

Jan 11. Visit the Undara Lava Tubes for the day again with Daintree Air.

Jan 12. Fly out of Cairns at a 5.45 am back to Syd.

Thanks for your help.
We really appreciate it.

pat_woolford

Actually, lots of visitors now prefer Palm Cove, a northern beach suburb of Cairns to Port Douglas. Its much smaller, less crowded, and has top accommodation and restaurants. Its about 25 min drive from Cairns' domestic and international airports with easy access to both Skyrail and the smaller General Aviation airport for Undara and Lizard Island.

Tassietwister

Probably will not miss much by not staying at Port Douglas. You will miss a lot by having only a short stay. So you have to start planning your next trip There are hundreds of wonderful places in FNQ to visit, just wonderful and diverse.

Your trip to Undara may take you over the the tableland which is picture perfect mix of lush green farms and rainforest. A bit like Ireland with tree ferns!

Your 3 day trip covers diverse territory. Can't do better than that. Leave Port Douglas for another time.

jacksonjacko49

Tassie twist, Thanks for the input.
I guess Tassie is short for Tasmainia.

We will be in your part of the world for a very short three days after leaving Cairns.

What do you suggest for such a short stay in your back yard.

We spoke to Greg at daintree air services about the tablelands and he has agreed to fly low level over Atherton, Mt Garnett and Millstream on the way out to Undara.

jacksonjacko49

Hi again

Just wondering if one of the Cairns folks would be kind enough to give us an up date on the local weather.

Jacko.

pat_woolford

Perfect summer weather today here in Cairns, Jacko - min 23C, max 29C. Just a gentle breeze, not a cloud to be seen from where I'm sitting and ideal reef conditions (at last) of 10-15knots light wind. Due to quite a lot of rain in "dry" season, the area is green and lush, all the tropical trees are in full bloom, so its colour, everywhere.

jacksonjacko49

Thank's for the report Pat.
Fingers crossed for January.

Jacko.