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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. Pick the month you can travel and these pages say which grounds are in their window and which are not.

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.
JanuaryPeak southern season and peak demand. Tasmania and Victoria are at their best, the tropical north is closed for practical purposes.6 grounds in season · 4 to avoid
FebruaryThe same southern season as January with fewer people in it. School is back, prices ease, and the tropics are still closed.5 grounds in season · 4 to avoid
MarchThe last full southern month, with autumn settling in and south-east Queensland becoming one of the best places to be.5 grounds in season · 3 to avoid
AprilAutumn in the south-east, the tropical dry season not quite started, and Easter distorting availability wherever it lands.5 grounds in season · 3 to avoid
MayThe tropical dry season opens. The Whitsundays, the reef, Darwin and the Kimberley all come on line in the same month.6 grounds in season · 3 to avoid
JuneThe tropical dry season proper. Steady trades, reliable weather and the last quiet month before the winter peak.6 grounds in season · 3 to avoid
JulyPeak tropical season and peak trades. Reliable weather, school holidays, cooler water and a fleet that is largely committed.6 grounds in season · 4 to avoid
AugustExcellent tropical weather and the worst month for charter availability, because both Whitsundays race weeks land here.5 grounds in season · 5 to avoid
SeptemberThe best all round month in Australia. The tropics are still dry, the trades ease, and the south-east comes back on line.6 grounds in season · 3 to avoid
OctoberThe last reliable tropical month and a strong one in the south-east, with the cyclone season starting on 1 November.5 grounds in season · 3 to avoid
NovemberThe southern season opens and the tropical cyclone season starts on 1 November. Good value, and a clean line between north and south.5 grounds in season · 4 to avoid
DecemberThe southern season hits its stride and demand explodes from mid month. Tasmania opens for expeditions, the tropics do not.5 grounds in season · 4 to avoid

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.