Port Douglas is a coastal town in the Shire of Douglas, Queensland, and one of the favourite destinations of tourists who want to experience a unique Australian adventure in both land and sea. The town’s proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest makes it a perfect base for travellers. Days can be spent discovering the shops, galleries, and cafes along Macrossan Street or enjoying water sports at Four Mile Beach.
Kiteboarding in Four Mile Beach
Four Mile Beach is the closest beach to Port Douglas. While it does not have the best waves for surfing, it is a good spot for kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Kiteboarding season starts in April when the wind blows quite reliably until December. Four Mile Beach is perfectly positioned for a consistent stream of the cross on shore south-easterly trade winds for most of the year. The wide sandy beach is an ideal place for launching and landing because there are almost zero obstacles.
There is a shallow and uncrowded part of the beach for the first kiteboarding lesson and practicing kite control. The high tide brings in small waves that are perfect for a few tricks. However, more seasoned kiteboarders have the north-end part of the Four Mile Beach with its smashing downwinder. The water temperature never gets below 20 degrees Celsius even during winter.
Surfing in Port Douglas
There are reasonably good spots for surfing on the beaches north and south of Port Douglas. Some of them are patrolled by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) organization and provides updated weather reports. Black and white chequered flags are placed at flagged zones to show the boundary limits for surfers and their boards.
Cow Bay which is about one and a half-hour drive away from Port Douglas provides surfers with a choice of 3 different beaches with waves that are more than a meter high. The north and south beaches of Cow Bay are the best spots for surfing when the trade winds are blowing because the beach breaks often reach up to one meter high. On the SLSA hazard scale, Cow Bay is considered low risk.
Another good spot for surfing is Kewarra Beach which is about an hour’s drive south of Port Douglas. The south-easterly winds and mid-tide are worth the journey for surfing enthusiasts. The views from the beach are impressive. There is also a clubhouse with a bar, bistro, and gaming room.
Ellis Beach is a two-and-a-half-kilometre beach with average half a metre-high waves and sloppy grading from low to mid-tide. SLSA lifeguards patrol the area from 9AM to 5 PM. Wonga Beach has a low beach break at mid-tide. If the waves at Port Douglas are not enough to make the adrenaline flowing, kayaking and canoeing are good options for the adventurous spirit.
You can book for a Cairns to Port Douglas bus to enjoy first-rate comfort from the airport to your destination. The bus will leave Cairns Airport just 25 minutes after you land for a safe and easy transfer. Drivers are well informed about the best routes to take so that you will enjoy the scenery.
