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When to sail, month by month

Australia has no single sailing season. The tropical north and the temperate south are in opposite halves of the year, and the cyclone season from 1 November to 30 April decides most of the difference. Choose your month for regional holiday ideas and questions to discuss with operators. These pages are planning guidance, not forecasts or live availability.

WHEN EACH GROUND IS IN SEASON JFMAMJJASOND Hawkesbury River and Cowan… Lord Howe Island Newcastle and Hunter Coast NSW South Coast Pittwater and Broken Bay Port Stephens and Broughto… Sydney Harbour Jervis Bay Arnhem Land Coast Darwin Harbour Tiwi Islands Airlie Beach Brisbane and Moreton Bay Cairns and Outer Reef Gold Coast Broadwater Hamilton Island Hervey Bay and K’gari Magnetic Island and Townsv… Port Douglas and Low Isles Sunshine Coast Whitsundays Adelaide and Gulf St Vince… Eyre Peninsula Glenelg Kangaroo Island Yorke Peninsula Bass Strait and Tamar D’Entrecasteaux Channel an… Hobart and River Derwent Port Davey and Bathurst Ha… Tasman Peninsula Tasmania East Coast Gippsland Lakes Melbourne and Port Phillip Mornington Peninsula Victorian South-West Coast Western Port Albany and WA South Coast Broome and Kimberley Fremantle, Rottnest and Ca… Geographe Bay and South We… Houtman Abrolhos Perth and Swan River Shark Bay to North West Ca… In the broad season In season, inside cyclone season Outside the broad season Broad planning windows from each region page, not a forecast. Cyclone season runs 1 November to 30 April and cyclones can occur outside it.
JanuaryPlan around summer travel and leave room for weather changes.6 regional ideas · 4 needing extra planning
FebruaryExplore a summer sailing break with dates and activities that suit your group.5 regional ideas · 4 needing extra planning
MarchBuild a flexible autumn holiday around the region you want to explore.5 regional ideas · 3 needing extra planning
AprilCheck holiday dates, transfer arrangements and the change into autumn.5 regional ideas · 3 needing extra planning
MayCompare northern holiday ideas with shorter trips closer to home.6 regional ideas · 3 needing extra planning
JunePlan your midyear break with realistic sailing legs and time to relax.6 regional ideas · 3 needing extra planning
JulyEnquire early for fixed winter holiday dates and essential cabin arrangements.6 regional ideas · 4 needing extra planning
AugustExplore island sailing while checking regatta dates and boat availability.8 regional ideas · 2 needing extra planning
SeptemberChoose a spring trip around your group’s pace and the operator’s local advice.6 regional ideas · 3 needing extra planning
OctoberKeep spring plans flexible and ask about changing conditions in your region.5 regional ideas · 3 needing extra planning
NovemberPlan ahead for late-year trips and check tropical weather arrangements.5 regional ideas · 4 needing extra planning
DecemberConfirm summer holiday dates, guest needs and travel connections together.5 regional ideas · 4 needing extra planning

For the mechanics behind the calendar read the weather and seasons guide, and for a route to sail once you have chosen a month see the itineraries.