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Palm Cove Beach

Palm Cove Beach

Palm Cove Beach
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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  • Mark E
    Whitianga, New Zealand803 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sydney to Cairns 2023
    We stayed at the NRMA caravan park just across the road from this beautiful palm lined beach. Life guards are present at times Coral sea so water temperature is good although we only dipped our toes. Of course this is northern Queensland so beware of Stinger Season and Crocodiles.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 April 2024
  • Ronal
    26 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    "Worlds best beach" - in some ways, not so in others
    'Worlds best beach 2024' as selected by editors and readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine ... in some ways, not so in others. The resort town of Palm Cove is perfect for a relaxing get away. It is a very quiet, tranquil place with just a handful of hotels, almost the size of a small suburb of Brisbane, so was not crowded. Most of the resorts are on the main beachfront strip. This is generally also the area where all the restaurants, bars and cafes are located. There is a beautiful landscaped path all the way along the beach front. the picture postcard palm trees that you will see on instagram are only on the very Southern end of the strip, and run for about 200m. Very picturesque, but do not believe all the pictures thinking the entire beach is like this. However the rest of the beachfront is still very lovely. The ONLY downside is the fact that you can only swim in one small section of the beach where they have the crocodile and jellyfish nets. DO NOT enter the ocean at any other point. Also, do not expect pristine white sand and azure waters. Palm Cove is at the foothills of a series of hills covered in tropical rainforest, so naturally the seawater will be murky, and the beach sand browner than you would expect. Overall, the title of 'worlds best beach' is more due to the overall ambience and amenities of the overall town, rather than the actual beach itself. Still worth a visit or a few nights stay!
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 May 2024
  • Charlotte123456
    9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful but no swimming
    Beautiful beach and white sands. We went in May and the winds were too high every day making a beach day impossible. You cant swim because of dangerous things lurking in the sea which is a shame but for you own safety. They do have a part of the water sectioned off safely by a barrier so you can go in for a swim but generally we never saw anyone use it. Stunning but not for those who want to swim in the sea.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 May 2024
  • Ava H
    Galway, Ireland3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect bachelorette party getaway
    Summer 2023 at Palm Cove Beach was an absolute dream for our bachelorette party. The pristine sands and clear waters provided a relaxing backdrop for sunbathing and beach activities. Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and enjoying lively evenings at local bars made for unforgettable moments. Accommodation options were superb, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout. Palm Cove Beach truly delivered the ultimate tropical escape for celebrating with friends. I loved every single minute of it.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 16 June 2024
  • Joanne
    Auckland, New Zealand61 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Paradise in Palm Cove
    Beautiful beach, delicious restaurants, chilled vibe and well worth a stay of you like a slower pace. Highly recommend for all sorts - families, couples & friends. Will be back again - we love it!
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 June 2024
  • Bronte S
    103 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful!!!
    Absolutely breathtaking beach. The scenery with the palm trees, white sand and crystal clear water is beautiful. The beach is clean and well patrolled. The staff in the shops are very friendly- I suffered from an allergic reaction to sunscreen whilst there, and the staff in the chemist were so helpful!! A little hidden gem off the Captain Cook Highway and a must visit!
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 22 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,230 reviews
Excellent
1,330
Very good
675
Average
195
Poor
25
Terrible
5

Jean B
9 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Beautiful but wet season so croc and box jelly season. I didn't even walk on the edge of the water, just on the boardwalk. There are flags and nets for swimming but a local told me only tourists go in, locals are too afraid. Loved the people and little area where I stayed, especially the Reef Retreat. Loved snorkeling the Reef so much.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

June D
Gold Coast, Australia48 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
We have stayed at Palm Cove (on Williams Esplanade) at least once a year for the past 6-7 years. It is a fantastic place to stay, with so many restaurants and bars to choose from, all within walking distance of your accommodation. However, each time we go it seems to get a bit more crowded, and this time around it was manic! So many people crowding into everywhere, I think we might think about staying at Clifton or Trinity Beaches next visit to far North Queensland as its much quieter, and drive to Palm Cove to visit our favourite eateries!
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gunner do
Newcastle, Australia571 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Once this was a lovely beach and village scene. Over development of resorts, units shops and restaurants has created this mainstreet eyesore.
The main avenue is over shopped, and full of Panama hatted visitors strolling from shop to shop, to restaurant to gallery!
And this is called a holiday.
That's a visitors honest opinion. The only way developers make improvements is through their own pockets.
If you visit here, don't forget your hat!
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Smiley_BH
Windella, Australia28 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
Great from the shore, shady sandy beach which turns muddy not far after the waterline. This leads to the water colour becoming dirty when weather conditions are not calm.

There were plenty of people swimming there, both inside and outside the lifeguarded area (yes there is a lifeguard on duty), but I was not willing to go in as a croc was spotted in the area within the previous 7 days (or that is what was signposted).
Written 8 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dianne S
Moss Vale, Australia603 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Couples
Palm Cove in Queensland is an exceptional place for relaxation and just getting away from the humdrum of city life. The beach, restaurants, accommodation is vast and varied, but I would say stay in the Main Street area for the accommodation. The Reef House, The Mantra, Peppers, The Alamanda are all situated in the Williams St precinct close to some fantastic and memorable dining experiences. All of which are in walking distance.
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian E
Melbourne, Australia159 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Family
Probably the best beach in the cairns area this beach is well worth visiting adjacent to many cafes and great restaurants one can arrive there before lunch have a swim get changed and then be tempted by the wonderful food that is just a short walk across the road.

Even the evenings allow for a late afternoon swim followed by a quick change of clothes and then a stroll to a well known restaurant for excellent food.

if not in the mood for food grab a coffee from several cafes then head down to the beach sit on the sand enjoy your coffee with a magnificent view. Water is always warm enjoy.
Written 6 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rtramos
Sydney, Australia80 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Pleasant getaway place. We were lucky however that the sun came out for most of the time we were there as we were told it was raining the day before. It was also raining the day we left. It is quite unusual weather this time of year. The long-stretch of the beach is great for a stroll or for just enjoying the site and listening to the waves. There are multiple places to choose from for meals and drinks although most are pricey. There are cheaper option as well in case you are on a budget.
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Simon Kirstie O
Gold Coast, Australia36 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
If you like muddy water to swim in then the northern beaches of Cairns including Palm Cove are for you. The sand is nice and the palm trees give photos that tropical look but there is almost always a wind blowing in the afternoon (too uncomfortable to be at the beach), the waves are too big for small children and not enough for adults. Definitely don't swim between dusk and dawn unless you want to risk coming face to face with local wildlife (the crocodiles). There is a reason that the Cairns Esplanade lagoon was built. Disappointing!
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

von s
North Queensland, Australia124 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
Beautiful beach and views but even out of season expect rude and unsmiling people on your walk along the esplanade. Been there multiple times now and it is overcrowded and extremely unhappy people everywhere. I dont expect smiles all the time BUTdont smile at people and NEVER. say hello they look at you as if you are something nasty they just walked in! Come on people it is a beautiful place made very unpleasant by lots of self important people being rude
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cat J A
Melbourne, Australia421 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Friends
Such a beautiful and easily accessible beach that runs the length of the esplanade. The 110 bus from Cairns stops at the edge of the sand and carparks are equally close although hotly contested. Clean and fringed by palm trees it is something out of a postcard so it was just unfortunate then that we couldn't swim due to the stingers. Despite the lifeguards closing the beach, some brave souls ventured in - not us but the temptation was overwhelming! A walk across the road to casual cafes and the ice cream shop made it a great day at the beach.
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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PALM COVE BEACH (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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