Double Island
Beach Information
Beach Information
- 🏖️ Best Time to Visit: May to October for snorkelling, kayaking, and dry weather.
- 🐠 Marine Stingers: Present November–May; stinger suits recommended.
- 🚩 Lifeguard Patrol: Not patrolled.
- 🐕 Dog Friendly: No — dogs prohibited.
- 🛠️ Facilities: Currently none on island (former resort closed and overgrown); natural picnic spots and walking tracks only.
- ♿ Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible; kayak/private boat access only.
- 🐊 Wildlife Awareness: Crocodiles possible in region. Be Crocwise. Deadly snakes extremely rare.
- 📍 Distance to Brisbane: Approx. 1,700–1,750 km (boat access from mainland, about 21+ hours total).
- 🏘️ Closest Town: Palm Cove — Distance: ~1.5 km by sea.
- ✈️ Closest Airport: Cairns Airport— Distance: ~30 minutes drive to Palm Cove.
- 🌦️ Typical Weather: Tropical; hot, humid summers, warm dry winters.
For the latest official beach conditions and safety information, check Beachsafe.
Double Island Palm Cove sits about 1.5 km off the beach at Palm Cove, the closest island to Double Island Cairns. The old resort is closed. Take a Double Island kayak from the jetty. Double Island Lodge and a public beach bar are planned, not open.
🏝️ About Double Island Cairns
Double Island Cairns is the two-peak island about 1.5 km off Palm Cove, about 16 ha, known to Yirrganydji people as Wangal Djungay. The old resort is closed. Double Island Lodge is planned, not open. From shore this is a Double Island Palm Cove view. On the water it is a Double Island kayak.
🚧 Current Status Double Island Redevelopment
🚫 Island currently closed to the public
🏗️ $40 million redevelopment by the Morris Group announced June 2026
🏖️ Public beach bar and restaurant planned as first stage
🏨 Later stages include 24-villa Double Island Lodge, spa and pool
📅 Construction expected to start in 2026 (subject to approvals)
🚤 How to Experience the Area Now
🛶 Kayak tours from Palm Cove paddle around Double Island and its reefs
🐢 Snorkelling and turtle spotting in the surrounding waters
📸 Best views of the island from Palm Cove beach and the jetty
🚁 Scenic flights and boat charters offer aerial and water perspectives
🌤️Best Time to Visit Double Island Cairns
☀️ May to October — Best conditions for kayaking and viewing the island from the water
🪼 November to May — Stinger season — wear a stinger suit if entering the water around the island
🌴 Year-round — Good for scenic views from Palm Cove and boat/kayak trips in calm conditions
🗺️ Getting There
📍 Where — 1.5 km off Palm Cove, about 25 to 30 minutes north of Cairns.
🚗 Drive — Captain Cook Highway to Palm Cove. Park in the village, not on the island.
🚌 Bus — Sunbus to Palm Cove.
🛶 Water — Book a Double Island kayak at Palm Cove. There is no scheduled public ferry.
❌ Do not — Check Fitzroy Island or Green Island ferries. Those boats do not go here.
💡 Local Tips
🚫 Closed — No landing, no overnight, no public toilets on the island.
🛶 Do this — A guided Double Island kayak from Palm Cove.
🛏️ Sleep — Palm Cove, not Double Island Lodge.
📸 Photo — Sunrise and late afternoon from the Esplanade.
🏝️ Open islands — Green Island and Fitzroy Island have live ferries from Cairns.
📍Nearby Attractions
🌴Palm Cove — Closest mainland beach with cafes, restaurants and the main launch point for water activities
🏝️ Haycock Island (Scout’s Hat) — Small nearby island often visited on the same kayak tours
🚢 Great Barrier Reef Tours — Day trips departing from Palm Cove and Cairns
🌳 Kuranda — Rainforest village with Skyrail and Scenic Railway, easy day trip from the Northern Beaches
📆 Events & Markets Nearby
🛍️ Palm Cove Markets — First Sunday of selected months, 8.00am to 2.00pm on Williams Esplanade. No September market.
🥭 Rusty’s Markets — Friday to Sunday in Cairns city.
For a full list of what’s on in the region, visit the
👉 Cairns & Northern Beaches Region Attractions | Best Things to Do in Far North Queensland
🏕️Accommodation Double Island Lodge
🚫 No accommodation currently available — The former resort is closed and the island is under redevelopment
🏨 Future plans — Luxury Double Island Lodge with 24 villas is planned in later stages of the $40m project
🛏️ Stay nearby — Best options are in Palm Cove or other Cairns Northern Beaches resorts while the island remains closed
🧭Plan Your Trip to Double Island Cairns
Stand on Palm Cove beach, then book a Double Island kayak. Do not plan a night on Double Island Lodge and do not wait for a public ferry. For a working island day, go to Green Island or Fitzroy Island.
💬 Share Your Double Island Beach Photos & Reviews
📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Cairns & Northern Beaches Region! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover the stunning tropical coastline stretching from Cairns to Port Douglas.
📖 Read Beach Reviews
📸 Submit Your Beach Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly.
💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby
Discover more of the tropical Cairns coastline and nearby islands:
Clifton Beach ➜ | Palm Cove ➜ | Ellis Beach ➜ | Trinity Beach ➜
🌊 About This Beach Directory
🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.
💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!
📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.
☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!
✅ Queensland Beach Guide contains affiliate links. This means if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe will help our readers. All opinions are our own.
Last updated: June 2026
Double Island FAQs
Is Double Island open to the public?
No. The island is currently closed. The previous resort was derelict for years and the lease was revoked in 2024. A major redevelopment is now underway.
Who is redeveloping Double Island?
The Morris Group was awarded the long-term lease by the Queensland Government in June 2026. A $40 million, four-stage revitalisation is planned.
What will the new development include?
Stage one prioritises public access with a beach bar and restaurant. Later stages include Double Island Lodge with 24 luxury villas, day spa, pool and event facilities.
Can I still visit the waters around Double Island?
Yes. Kayak and snorkel tours from Palm Cove regularly paddle around the island and its fringing reefs, with good chances of seeing turtles and marine life.
Can I stay at Double Island Lodge?
No. Double Island Lodge is planned for a later stage of the rebuild. Stay in Palm Cove.
Can I do a Double Island kayak?
Yes. Guided kayak and SUP trips leave from Palm Cove. That is the current way to see Double Island Palm Cove from the water
Can I land, camp or take a dog?
No public landing, no camping, no dog product while the island is closed.