Cooya Beach
Cooya might live in the shadows of its more illustrious neighbours, but for a quiet and relaxed beach experience, it’s definitely worth heading over to.
A coastal town and locality in the Shire of Douglas in Tropical North Queensland, Cooya Beach is located about 74km north of Cairns and around 7km from Port Douglas.
The area is also some 1754km from Brisbane. So it will take you about 2 days to drive there from Queensland’s capital city.
But if you do, this pristine 2km stretch of residential Queensland beach is a great place to reconnect with nature.
Boasting sparkling turquoise waters and serene golden sands it’s the kind of place where you can leave the pressures of your working life behind.
You won’t find hordes of tourists here, though there is the odd crocodile to be wary of.
Yet if you are looking for a genuine, Tropical North Queensland local’s beach experience, then Cooya is a place you simply must visit.
Things To Do in Cooya Beach
Whilst on first impression the idyllic sandy shores of Cooya Beach might seem to be the perfect place to do nothing but relax. But there are plenty of things to do here other than sunbathing.
Given how close the beach is to the mouth of the Mossman, Cooya is a popular spot for mud-crabbing.
It is also a favoured venue for boating too. At any given time the stunning coastline showcases a number of spectacular boats stoically anchored on the water.
If you get the chance to hire a tour on one you will be rewarded with scintillating views of the coastline.
The ocean off Cooya Beach is also ideal for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. Just be aware of whether or not it is stinger season.
Fishing is best up at the river mouth, or down amongst the mangroves in a boat at high tide.
Other Beaches Near Cooya
Cooya Beach is close to several other great beaches in Tropical North Queensland.
These include Four Mile Beach, Buchan Point, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach and Ellis Beach.
The Cairns lagoon is a short drive away. Whilst Mission Beach is well worth the three-hour visit to drive to.
Best Time To Visit
There really are only two seasons in Tropical North Queensland. The dry and wet seasons.
As the area has a tropical climate the temperatures don’t fluctuate greatly. So you can visit all year round.
The hottest and wettest time to visit is between November to April. While the cooler, dryer period is between June to October.
Accommodation prices in the region tend to be more expensive between June and October as this is the peak season.
The stinger season is between the months of November and March so you might want to bear that in mind when planning your visit.
Whenever you visit Cooya Beach always look out for crocodile warning signs. This will inform you of recent sightings on or around the beach.
How To Get There
Cooya is an easy drive from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas.
If you don’t have a car, you might like to hire a car or bicycle to get there. Both of which you can do from the above destinations.
You can catch a bus to Mossman from Cairns via the Trans North Bus & Coach company.
But once you get to Mossman you will need to get a taxi.
Places to Stay
As it’s located in a residential area there aren’t that many places to stay in Cooya Beach. But the Hacienda Cooya Beach is one you might want to consider.
There are plenty of accommodation options in Port Douglas to choose from.
Please use the search box below to find the best deals currently available there.
Dining Options
There aren’t that many places to eat in Cooya. But one to look out for is the Cooya Beach Takeaway.
In nearby Mossman, you will find the Chung Tai Chinese restaurant. While in Newell Beach there is a café of the same name.
There is also a Woolworths in Mossman should you wish to buy food from there.
Just like with the accommodation options, there are far more eating options available to you in Port Douglas.
