Things to do in Palm Cove, Cairns
Palm Cove is one of the top holiday destinations of Far North Queensland. And with its pristine palm-fringed beaches and clear waters, it’s easy to see why! In this article, we will share with you some of the best things to do in Palm Cove, whether you are a local seeking adventure, or visiting our tropical paradise.
Palm Cove sunrise
Top 6 Things To Do In Palm Cove
1) Double Island Kayak Turtle Tour
Here at Pacific Watersports, we offer an amazing tour for adults and children alike, to Double Island. Double Island is a stunning tropical island 1km off the coast of Palm Cove. It’s a 25-minute paddle on our kayaks out to Haycock Reef- an amazing area of Coral Reef which sits to the south of Double Island. Here we slow down our paddle and observe the sea life through the clear waters below. We nearly always see Green Turtles or Hawksbill Turtles (see our Turtle blog for more info about these amazing creatures!) and often see small reef sharks, rays, all sorts of colourful fish and if you are really lucky… Dolphins!!
The tour lasts for 3 and a half hours, departing Palm Cove at 7 am daily, and returning at around 10.30am.
For more information, and to book a place at a Kayak Turtle Tour with Pacific Watersports, click here.
2) Island Hopping Tour
Our Island Hopping Tour is the perfect tour for those that want to be out on the water a little longer!
This is another Kayak Tour that we offer here at Pacific Watersports and is the perfect activity for those with a sense of adventure. Lasting 6 hours, on this tour we visit Haycock Island (a.k.a. Scout’s Hat- the small island next to Double Island) and explore its beaches and surrounding reef. We do some snorkelling, turtle spotting, explore the cave on Double Island and pull up on some of Double Island’s secluded beaches for a lunch break (lunch is provided).
The Tour starts at 8 am daily, and we return to Palm Cove at around 2 pm.
For more information and to book a place on an Island Hopping Tour, click here.
3) Rainforest Paddleboarding Tour
Without a doubt, one of the most relaxing tours that you can do in the area. Our Rainforest Paddleboarding Tour is actually in Kuranda (about a 35-minute drive from Palm Cove into the Rainforest), but we pick everyone up in Palm Cove (or from anywhere in the Cairns Area).
On this tour, we cruise down the Upper Barron River and through the Rainforest on our Paddleboards. This really is an activity suited to the whole family- we recently had a 75-year-old do the tour and really enjoy it! Suitable for all ages, from kids to the older generations. The smooth surface of the river makes it the perfect place to try Stand Up Paddleboarding for the first time and the tour is down-stream, meaning you don’t need to work too hard to get moving!
Within this tour, we leave the main river and take a detour through a smaller river deep into the rainforest- a truly magical experience. We also stop on a sandy bank for snacks (fruit, cake and juice provided) and a swim in the river.
If you are looking for things to do in Palm Cove that the whole family will enjoy and you haven’t been into the rainforest before- this is the tour for you!
For more information and to book a place on a Rainforest Paddleboarding Tour, click here.
4) Paddleboarding Lessons in Palm Cove.
If you fancy spending the day at the beach but want activities to do in between beach naps (!) why not come and try a Paddleboarding lesson with us at Pacific Watersports? You can find us (and our trailer) at the very South end of the Palm Cove Esplanade (opposite Jack and Shanans and Portofino restaurants). It’s usually best to book in for a lesson with us as it can get busy in the peak season, but you are also welcome to drop past and say Hi and see if we have a board available for you to play around on.
30 minute or 1-hour lessons are available. The perfect lazy day activity!
5) Kitesurfing Lessons
Here in Palm Cove, we can get quite a lot of wind in the afternoons during our winter months (May-October). But this doesn’t have to mean that you need to retreat from the beach… Learn to Kitesurf instead!!
We offer Kitesurfing Lessons on Palm Cove Beach, at Yorkey’s Knob and at Double Island. The perfect activity for the adrenaline junkies in the family! The first lesson is usually on the beach, learning how to fly the kite safely and with good control. We then introduce the board and take your new kite skills onto the water! We usually recommend 2 or 3 lessons if you are really serious about learning the sport and becoming independent on the water. However, we also offer ‘taster’ lessons for those that want to see if this may be the sport for them, and group lessons if a few of your want to try Kitesurfing together.
So if you are looking for things to do in Palm cove when it’s windy, this is a great option for you!
For more information, and to book a Kitesurfing Lesson in Palm Cove, click here.
6) Beach and Poolside Yoga Classes
Hartig Yoga offers amazing yoga classes, for all levels, on Palm Cove Beachfront. So if you are looking for things to do in Palm Cove in the mornings and early evenings, a beachfront yoga class may be right up your street.
Hartig Yoga’s Beach classes are held at the south end of the Palm Cove Esplanade, on the grassy beachfront area in front of Alamanda resort and NUNU restaurant. The classes are multi-level, meaning everybody of every age, shape and fitness level is welcome to come- and is sure to get something out of it. Practising yoga on a paradise beach front, under swaying palm trees is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and a must try for tourists and locals alike.
For more information and to book a place at a class, click here.
