Cairns or Bali in August?
On climate data, Bali comes out ahead overall in August. See the per-criterion details below.
CairnsPhoto: Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0
BaliPhoto: Gunadhi · CC BY-SA 4.0Key figures in August
| Criterion | Cairns | Bali |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 24 °C | 27 °C |
| Average daily low | 16 °C | 21 °C |
| Sea | 24 °C | 26 °C ★ |
| Rainy days | 8 rainy days (est.) | 5 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 6 h/day | 7 h/day ★ |
| Humidity | 78 % | 81 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Bali is about 3 °C warmer by day.
- Bali is drier, with about 3 fewer rainy days.
- The sea at Bali is about 2 °C warmer.
Cairns or Bali in August: the short answer
In August, Bali comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Cairns 87/100 vs Bali 89/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on August as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Cairns averages a climate score of 72/100, Bali 70/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in August, side by side
The average daily high is about 24 °C in Cairns and 27 °C in Bali — warmer in Bali. Average daily lows are around 16 °C versus 21 °C.
On rain, Cairns sees about 8 rainy days in August and Bali about 5 — drier in Bali. Bali gets more sunshine (6 vs 7 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In August the water is about 24 °C at Cairns and 26 °C at Bali — warmer for swimming at Bali. Over the year, Cairns is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Bali in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is February for Cairns and March for Bali.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Cairns records roughly 176 rainy days and Bali about 193 — the drier of the two overall is Cairns. At their sunniest, Cairns reaches about 9 hours of sun a day (November) and Bali about 8 (October). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Cairns is at its best in July, August, September and October, while Bali peaks in June, July, August and September. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the August scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Bali scores higher in August (Cairns 87 vs Bali 97).
City breaks: Cairns scores higher in August (Cairns 93 vs Bali 89).
Active & hiking: Cairns scores higher in August (Cairns 79 vs Bali 72).
Family: Bali scores higher in August (Cairns 88 vs Bali 93).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For August specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Cairns carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Cairns if its strong months and profile match your plan, Bali if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.