The Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region lies just above the Tropic of Capricorn and has a tropical climate. Summers are generally hot and wet, though the coast has the benefit of a regular afternoon sea breeze. Winter days are generally warm and sunny, while winter nights can be cool away from the coast.

The region lies in the trade wind belt for most of the year resulting in south to southeast winds. During the warmer months afternoon northeast sea breezes are common. Fresh south-easterlies can blow along the coast for lengthy periods during summer and autumn, but gale force winds are rare and normally only occur with a tropical cyclone.

The Whitsundays are on the same Latitude as the Fiji Islands. They offer sunny tropical weather virtually all year round. The water temperature varies from 23ºC in winter to 28ºC in summer and the islands are protected from ocean swells by the Great Barrier Reef. Summers are hot and balmy with occasional showers, but even these are warm and refreshing. The trade winds are usually stronger between May and August, however you can expect sailing breezes almost every day.

The cyclone season is from December through to April with 43 tropical cyclones passing within 150km of Mackay during the years 1910-1992.