Double Island (Palm Cove)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Double Island (Palm Cove) is a tropical offshore sandbar environment best known for flat-water riding when south-east trade winds are in. Water is described as crystal clear and shallow/flat with small-wave character, supporting freestyle and freeride styles, with foil-friendly conditions just off the sandbar area. Wind at the spot favors E to S directions, with a winter trade-wind pattern that is described as high-reliability. The spot’s commonly cited window for good conditions runs from March through November, while a separate seasonal breakdown highlights a concentrated period in May through October for consistent south-east trades. Typical wind speeds are given as about 15–25 knots, and kite sizes of roughly 9–12 m are described as the most common range. Access is a major constraint: while the southern Palm Cove rig/launch zone is used for kite setup and launching/landing, reaching the island/sandbar area itself generally requires boat or jet ski (or a long paddle/downwinder), and surrounding low-lying reefs make tide timing important. Riders are cautioned that conditions are significantly better when the tide is over about 1.2 metres; lower tides can expose more areas. Safety planning is essential in this area. Hazards specifically flagged include marine stingers (including Box Jellyfish and Irukandji) and saltwater crocodiles, alongside reef hazards around the island perimeter. Stinger suits are strongly recommended for warmer months (and precaution is emphasized). Double Island is also described as private-resort territory with restrictions on where kiting and landing are allowed, plus no rescue availability stated for the offshore context (emergency services are via 000, with the nearest major hospital in Cairns).
- Crystal-clear, shallow flat-water
- South-east trade winds with a reliable winter season
- Large clear launch/landing area about 100 m south of Williams Esplanade (south end rig zone)
- Crystal-clear, shallow flat-water with small waves.
- Consistent south-east trade-wind seasonality.
- Large clear launching/landing area near the south end of Palm Cove for setup.
- Offshore/sandbar access is typically limited and tide-dependent.
- Requires careful attention to reefs and wildlife hazards.
- No rescue availability stated for the island/offshore context.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE, SSE, S
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Consistent south-east trade wind pattern at the spot.
- Reliability
- High during the winter trade wind season
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Flat — Small waves overall; commonly described as butter-flat behind the sandbar.
- Launch
- Big — Big clear area about 100 m south of the Williams Esplanade rig for launching and landing.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Main launch/landing zone is straightforward, but reaching the island/sandbar and choosing the right tide is more demanding.
Through the year
Low to moderate; limited by boat access
December to March (monsoon/cyclone season)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Butter-flat flat-water conditions associated with the sandbar in SE trade winds. Double Island itself is not typically treated as a primary launch; riders commonly kite across from the Palm Cove south rigging/launch zone when conditions allow. Boat access is generally required to reach the island/sandbar area.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Flat-water blasting and slalom conditions; gear transport may require boat support.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–7.5 m²
Foil-friendly area with deep enough water just off the sandbar for a steady arena (scenic conditions).
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Deep enough water just off the sandbar.
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Double Island (Palm Cove) in the full forecast view.
Double Island (Palm Cove) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- E83°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3010 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.2 m6s period
- Temperature
- 23–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Double Island (Palm Cove) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.6–1.2 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- low-lying reefs near Double Island (if riding to the island)
- Marine stingers (Box Jellyfish and Irukandji)
- Saltwater crocodiles
- Private property restrictions
- Distance from mainland (offshore)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability stated for Double Island access/offshore activities; emergency services via 000 and nearest major medical is in Cairns.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Cairns; call 000 for emergency services.
Rules of the spot
Designated kitesurfing area at the south end of Palm Cove; rigging/launching and landing restrictions apply to specific zones.
- No access to island interior/resort; kiting and landing generally restricted to sandbar and tidal zones below the high-water mark.
- All launching and landing must take place opposite Angsana Resort and further south.
- Access to the island interior is restricted (private resort).
- Tide really needs to be over 1.2 metres for good conditions; lower tides expose more areas.
- Launch/landing: use the clear area about 100 m south of Williams Esplanade (south end rigging zone).
- Double Island access is tide-dependent and typically requires boat/jet ski; stinger suits are strongly recommended in warmer months, and use precaution year-round.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cairns
- Nearest Town
- Palm Cove
- Nearest Airport
- Cairns International Airport (CNS)
- Parking
- Ample parking along the Palm Cove esplanade for those launching from the mainland.
- Public Transport
- Regular bus services connect the northern beaches to Cairns city center and the airport.
- Access
- Rig at the south end of Palm Cove opposite Angsana Resort on Williams Esplanade; park and walk about 100 m south to the clear launch area. Access to Double Island itself is typically by private boat, jet ski, or long paddle and is tide-dependent due to surrounding low-lying reefs.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Luxury resorts and apartments on the mainland at Palm Cove (nearby to spot access areas).
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants along the Palm Cove Esplanade.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available from shops in Cairns or Palm Cove.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to private storage at specific schools or accommodation providers; no public gear lockers.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available in nearby Cairns.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Daily boat departures for snorkeling and diving on the outer reef.
Showcase of Indigenous Australian culture and history through performance and art.
A gondola ride over the Barron Gorge National Park rainforest canopy.
A strip of high-quality cafes, bars, and award-winning restaurants overlooking the ocean.
A popular spot for fishing and walking with views of the nearby islands.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Double Island (Palm Cove)?
The best overall months at Double Island (Palm Cove) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Double Island (Palm Cove)?
Double Island (Palm Cove) works with E, ESE, SE, SSE, S winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Double Island (Palm Cove)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Double Island (Palm Cove): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 6–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Double Island (Palm Cove) suitable for?
Double Island (Palm Cove) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.