Byron Bay weather: month by month, and the best time to visit
What the weather is actually like in Byron Bay through the year — average temperatures, rainfall and rainy days for every month from the Bureau of Meteorology, what each season feels like, and when to go for dry days, beach weather or whales.
Updated 15 November 2026 · Published by Radiant Life Distributors
Today's forecast
For the live forecast, warnings and radar, go straight to the source — the Bureau of Meteorology publishes the official Byron Bay forecast and, for anyone heading out on the water, the Byron coastal waters forecast covering wind, seas and swell.
Byron Bay 7-day forecast (BOM) Byron coastal waters forecast
Byron Bay weather by month
Long-term averages from the Bureau of Meteorology's Cape Byron station, which has recorded since 1994. The station sits on the headland at 95 metres, so conditions in town can differ a little.
| Month | Avg max | Avg min | Rainfall | Rain days (≥1 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.1°C | 21.3°C | 150 mm | 10 |
| February | 27.7°C | 21.2°C | 194 mm | 12 |
| March | 26.5°C | 20.2°C | 192 mm | 13 |
| April | 24.1°C | 17.8°C | 153 mm | 12 |
| May | 21.4°C | 15.2°C | 117 mm | 11 |
| June | 19.4°C | 13.2°C | 141 mm | 10 |
| July | 19.0°C | 12.4°C | 89 mm | 8 |
| August | 20.2°C | 13.3°C | 75 mm | 6 |
| September | 22.1°C | 15.4°C | 61 mm | 6 |
| October | 23.7°C | 17.1°C | 103 mm | 9 |
| November | 25.4°C | 18.7°C | 96 mm | 8 |
| December | 26.8°C | 20.0°C | 128 mm | 10 |
| Year | 23.7°C | 17.2°C | 1,524 mm | 117 |
What each season is like
Summer (December–February)
Warm and humid, with average highs of 27–28°C and overnight lows around 20–21°C. Summer runs into the wettest part of the year — February averages close to 200 mm. It is also peak holiday season, so book early.
Autumn (March–May)
Still warm early on, cooling to around 21°C by May. March is nearly as wet as February, then rainfall eases through April and May.
Winter (June–August)
Mild days of 19–20°C and cool nights around 12–13°C, with fewer rainy days than summer — August averages only six. Winter is the start of whale season, when humpbacks travel north past Cape Byron.
Spring (September–November)
The driest stretch of the year: September averages just 61 mm over about six rain days. Days warm from 22°C to 25°C, and whales head back south with calves, often close to shore.
When is the best time to visit Byron Bay?
- For dry, mild weather: late August to October. It is the driest part of the year, before the wetter months of summer.
- For beach weather: November to April, when it is warmest — though February and March are also the wettest months.
- For whales: June to November. Destination NSW notes humpbacks pass Byron from May, with tours usually starting in June; September is the peak for mothers and calves on the southern migration.
- For fewer crowds: outside school holidays and the summer peak, especially late autumn and winter.
Surf, swell and the water
Byron's beaches face different directions around the cape, which is why there is usually somewhere sheltered to swim or surf. Before going in, check the Bureau's coastal waters forecast for wind and swell, swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches, and follow local surf life saving advice.
Planning your stay
Byron books out well ahead in summer, school holidays and on festival weekends. Destination NSW lists accommodation and things to do across Byron Bay and the surrounding hinterland.
Byron Bay weather questions
What is the weather like in Byron Bay?
Subtropical: warm, humid summers with average highs around 28°C, and mild winters with days around 19–20°C and nights around 12–13°C. Rainfall averages about 1,520 mm a year, heaviest from February to April.
What is the wettest month in Byron Bay?
February, with an average of about 194 mm, closely followed by March at about 192 mm. These are Bureau of Meteorology long-term averages for Cape Byron.
What is the driest month in Byron Bay?
September, averaging about 61 mm over roughly six rain days. August and October are also relatively dry.
What is the best month to visit Byron Bay?
For dry, mild weather, September and October. For warm beach weather, November to April. For whales, June to November, with September the peak for mothers and calves.
How cold does Byron Bay get in winter?
July is the coolest month, with average highs of about 19°C and average lows of about 12°C at the Cape Byron weather station.
When is whale season in Byron Bay?
Humpback whales pass Byron from about May to November. Tours generally run from June; the northern migration peaks mid-year and the southern migration, with calves closer to shore, peaks around September.