Cairns' deep-water tender port, where Half Moon Bay marina drops you within striking distance of the world's largest coral reef and ancient rainforest — or just a cold beer on the biggest deck in Far North Queensland.
Yorkeys Knob is a tender-only port — ships anchor in Trinity Bay and you ride the ship's tender boats to the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club pontoon at Half Moon Bay Marina.
💡 Pro move: Yorkeys Knob itself is a quiet residential suburb; the main reason to be here is onward transport to the reef and rainforest. The boating club is genuinely worth a meal or a drink before reboarding.
No pier exists at Yorkeys Knob — all cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the boating club marina.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, P&O, Holland America, etc.) | Anchor in Trinity Bay; tender to Yorkeys Knob Boating Club marina, Half Moon Bay📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition / small ships | Some smaller vessels may call at Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal directly — check your ship📍 | Tendered |
Yorkeys Knob is a jumping-off point for some of Australia's greatest natural experiences — the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Kuranda are all within range of a single shore day.
High-speed catamarans from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal (20 min from the marina) ferry you to pontoons or reef platforms where you can snorkel, dive, or ride a semi-submersible. Green Island and Fitzroy Island are excellent half-day options.
Find Great Barrier Reef tours →Glide over the World Heritage rainforest canopy on the Skyrail from Smithfield (10 min drive), explore the bohemian village of Kuranda, then return on the historic 1891 railway that winds through gorges and past waterfalls. Book months in advance.
Find Kuranda tours →Twenty-five minutes north, Hartley's is the best place in Australia to see massive saltwater crocodiles in action, hold a koala, and get close to native wildlife in a genuine wetland setting.
Find Hartley's Crocodile Adventures tours →Yorkeys Knob is world-renowned for consistent trade winds and wide flat-water bays — a premier kitesurfing destination. Beginner lessons run most days from the beach, just 15 minutes' walk from the marina.
Find kitesurfing lessons →The Daintree is the world's oldest tropical rainforest — older than the Amazon. Day tours from Cairns combine the gorge swim, a river cruise to spot crocodiles, and a walk in the forest canopy.
Find Daintree tours →Cairns' famous free saltwater lagoon sits on the Esplanade — a safe, beautiful place to swim without worrying about stingers or crocs. Surround yourself with cafes, restaurants, and the Reef Fleet Terminal precinct.
Find Cairns city tours →Yorkeys Knob itself is flat and walkable on the local scale, though Cairns city requires transport.
Walk out from the boating club along the foreshore to Half Moon Bay Beach. A wide, uncrowded arc of golden sand fringed with she-oaks and palms. Kitesurfers fill the sky in the afternoon.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Continue north along the beach and take the short rocky track up to the Yorkeys Knob headland for panoramic views over the Coral Sea and back to your cruise ship anchored in Trinity Bay.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Yorkeys Knob, Queensland, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 22 | 5:55 AM | 6:56 PM |
| Feb | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 19 | 6:12 AM | 6:50 PM |
| Mar | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 19 | 6:20 AM | 6:31 PM |
| Apr | 82°F / 28°C | 74°F / 23°C | 12 | 6:25 AM | 6:08 PM |
| May | 78°F / 26°C | 70°F / 21°C | 9 | 6:33 AM | 5:53 PM |
| Jun | 76°F / 24°C | 68°F / 20°C | 9 | 6:43 AM | 5:51 PM |
| Jul | 75°F / 24°C | 66°F / 19°C | 6 | 6:46 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Aug | 76°F / 24°C | 66°F / 19°C | 6 | 6:35 AM | 6:07 PM |
| Sep | 78°F / 26°C | 68°F / 20°C | 6 | 6:12 AM | 6:12 PM |
| Oct | 81°F / 27°C | 71°F / 22°C | 6 | 5:49 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 9 | 5:34 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Dec | 85°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 15 | 5:38 AM | 6:45 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Yorkeys Knob, Queensland, Australia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.