Cherry Tree Bay

Beach
There are two swimming beaches at Cooktown; the secluded Cherry Tree Bay and more accessible and popular Finch Bay. Cherry Tree Bay is an attractive small beach, 200 m long, lying at the foot of Captain Cook’s lookout on 200 m high Grassy Hill. It faces east and picks up... Read more
There are two swimming beaches at Cooktown; the secluded Cherry Tree Bay and more accessible and popular Finch Bay. Cherry Tree Bay is an attractive small beach, 200 m long, lying at the foot of Captain Cook’s lookout on 200 m high Grassy Hill. It faces east and picks up low waves generated by the Trades. The beach can only be reached on foot, or by boat. There are two walking tracks, one leading from the Grassy Hill Road down the slopes for 400 m to the beach, the other a 600 m walk over the hill from the Finch Bay car park. For this reason it is usually deserted. It is, however, worth the walk. It is bounded by high rounded granitic boulders which become progressively exposed at low tide. There is a dry, narrow beach at high tide, which is partly shaded by overhanging trees, while at low tide the low beach is as wide as it is long (Fig. 2.12a).
Swimming
This is a relatively safe beach, particularly at high tide. When the Trades are blowing, waves up to 1 m high break across a wide, shallow surf zone.
Surfing
There are waves when you have a strong Trade wind blowing, however they tend to be short and sloppy.
Fishing
The rocks on either side provide the best spots at high tide.
General
This is a picturesque beach and worth the walk if you want some solitude and some small waves to play in.
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Hazards

Irukandji

Bluebottles

Chironex

Crocodiles

High Tide Range
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
Length: 0.2km
General Hazard Rating: 3/10 (Least hazardous)
Beach Key: qld0641