Byron Bay, on Australia’s northern New South Wales coast, enjoys a mild, humid subtropical climate with warm, sunny summers and mild winters. The town is known for abundant sunshine, lush green landscapes, and significant rainfall, especially in summer. With comfortable temperatures year-round and a vibrant beach culture, Byron Bay is a popular destination for travellers in every season.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Byron Bay’s climate is shaped by its coastal location and proximity to the tropics, resulting in four distinct yet mild seasons. Summers (December–February) are warm, humid, and often wet, with average highs of 27–28°C and lows of 20–21°C. This period sees the most rainfall, with February being the wettest month, averaging 170–210 mm over 14–16 rainy days. Despite the showers, sunshine is abundant, with 7–8 hours per day, and the ocean is warm (26°C), perfect for swimming and surfing. Occasional thunderstorms and rare tropical cyclones can occur during this time, but severe weather is uncommon.
Winters (June–August) are mild and drier, with average highs of 19–20°C and lows of 11–13°C. July is the coolest month, but skies are generally clear, and humidity is lower. The sea remains swimmable (20–22°C), though surfers may prefer wetsuits. Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are transitional, offering warm days (22–25°C), cooler nights, and lower rainfall – especially in spring, which is the driest season. Daylight lasts up to 14 hours in summer and 10–11 hours in winter, with 6–9 hours of sunshine daily. Winds are generally gentle, averaging 10–24 km/h, but can be brisk during storms. Byron Bay’s lush landscapes and vibrant outdoor life are a result of its generous annual rainfall, which averages 1,300–1,500 mm.
| Average climate data for Byron Bay, Australia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 26 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 13 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 75 | 121 | 110 | 82 | 62 | 81 | 46 | 41 | 29 | 80 | 57 | 79 | 864 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 16 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 198 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 79 | 79 | 79 | 76 | 74 | 76 | 73 | 69 | 71 | 75 | 76 | 78 | 76 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 39 | 44 | 44 | 37 | 32 | 37 | 31 | 20 | 23 | 34 | 32 | 39 | 34 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
The best time to visit Byron Bay is during spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May), when temperatures are warm but not too hot, rainfall is lower, and crowds are smaller. These shoulder seasons offer ideal conditions for beach activities, surfing, hiking, and whale watching, with plenty of sunshine and comfortable sea temperatures.
The least favourable time to visit Byron Bay is in summer (December–February), when humidity and rainfall peak, and the town is busiest with holiday crowds. While the weather is warm and the ocean inviting, frequent showers and occasional storms can disrupt outdoor plans. Accommodation prices are also highest during this period.
Byron Bay has a humid subtropical climate with warm, wet summers and mild, drier winters. Temperatures range from 19°C in winter to 28°C in summer, and rainfall is significant, especially from December to March.
The best time to visit is spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May), when the weather is warm, rainfall is lower, and crowds are smaller. These seasons are ideal for outdoor activities and beach days.
Yes, Byron Bay receives 1,300–1,500 mm of rain annually. The wettest months are February and March, with up to 210 mm of rain each. Spring is the driest season, with September seeing the least rainfall.
Summer highs in Byron Bay typically reach 27–28°C, with warm nights around 20–21°C. Humidity is high, and the ocean is warm for swimming. Occasional storms and rare cyclones can occur.
The sea around Byron Bay is warmest from December to April (24–26°C), perfect for swimming and surfing. From June to October, the water cools to 20–22°C, and a wetsuit is recommended for surfers.
Pack light, breathable clothing, swimwear, sun protection, and a rain jacket. In winter and spring, bring a jumper for cool evenings. If surfing, a wetsuit is useful outside summer. Always use high SPF sun cream.
Byron Bay experiences gentle to moderate breezes year-round, averaging 10–24 km/h. Winds can be stronger during storms, especially in late spring and summer, but most days are calm and pleasant.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is January (26.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (18.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 22.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is February (21.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is July (13.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 17.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is February (27.3 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is August (21.4 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 24.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is February (121.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (29.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 864.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (23.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (10.4 days). Over the whole year there are 198.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is March (79.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (69.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 75.5 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is October (18.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is May (15.2 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 16.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (44.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (20.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 34.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.6 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 7.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are April, May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.5.
