Beach Number:

qld0715

Includes Beaches:

Palm Cove Kewarra Beach

State/Region:

QLD - Clifton Beach

Post Code:

4879

General Beach Hazard Rating:

3/10 ( Least hazardous)

Beach

Palm Cove Beach lies at the northern end of a 5.5 km long beach that runs south from Buchan Point, where it faces east, through to Clifton Beach and on to Kewarra Beach, where it faces north-east. Deep Creek drains across the beach between Clifton and Kewarra. Kewarra ends in the south at Taylor Point. Twin-peaked Double Island is located 1 km off Buchan Point.

The Cairns Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1924, is located on the beachfront 500 m south of Buchan Point. The beach is located 1 km off the Cook Highway and, besides the surf lifesaving club, has most facilities for visitors and tourists, including a variety of tourist accommodations. There is also a boat ramp and fishing jetty just south of the point. The road parallels the beach, with ample parking and a foreshore reserve between the road and beach.

The beach is composed of relatively coarse sand which, together with the waves averaging just under 0.5 m, produces a soft, steep high tide beach, and a 40 m wide attached bar at low tide. Waves surge up the steep beach at high tide and break across the bar at low tide.

Swimming

This is a relatively safe beach under normal low waves. However, waves and currents increase during strong south-easterlies. The three patrolled beaches and net enclosures offer the safest bathing, particularly during the stinger season.

Surfing

Usually low, sloppy waves, best at mid to low tide and when there is a bit of south-east wind to pick up the waves.

Fishing

The jetty and northern rocks are the most popular spots, with fishing off the beach best at high tide.

General

One of Cairns' longer and more popular beaches, both with locals and the increasing number of tourists.