Is Hamilton Island sunnier than Mackay?

They are nearly tied: Hamilton Island gets about 3,060 hours of sunshine a year and Mackay about 3,009.

Which is warmer, Hamilton Island or Mackay?

Hamilton Island is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 27°C (81°F) versus 25°C.

Which is better in winter (November–February), Hamilton Island or Mackay?

They are close in the November–February window: Hamilton Island averages 76/100 (about 30°C days), Mackay 74/100 (about 28°C).

Which has the warmer sea, Hamilton Island or Mackay?

Both peak at about 30°C (86°F); month-by-month sea temperatures for both are on this page.

Hamilton Island vs Mackay: which is sunnier?

🇦🇺 Australia vs 🇦🇺 Australia · 93 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Hamilton Island and Mackay are virtually tied for annual sunshine — about 3,060 vs 3,009 hours a year. Hamilton Island has the higher Sunshine Score in 5 of 12 months; the other 7 are within 2 points.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Hamilton Island	Mackay
Sunshine hours / year	3,060	3,009
Sunniest month	September (95/100)	August (93/100)
Nov–Feb average score	76/100	74/100
Jun–Aug average score	93/100	91/100
Rain / year	985 mm	1,169 mm
Warmest sea	30°C / 86°F	30°C / 86°F
Peak midday UV	12 (extreme)	12 (extreme)

Hamilton Island vs Mackay month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Hamilton Island	Mackay	Hamilton Island	Mackay	Hamilton Island	Mackay	Hamilton Island	Mackay
January	70	69	30°	28°	219	224	30°	30°
February	70	69	29°	28°	228	253	29°	30°
March	70	69	29°	28°	155	197	28°	28°
April	85	81	27°	26°	66	87	27°	26°
May	91	87	26°	24°	36	54	24°	24°
June	91	88	24°	22°	35	50	22°	22°
July	93	91	23°	21°	24	30	22°	21°
August	94	93	24°	22°	16	20	21°	21°
September	95	93	26°	24°	14	21	23°	24°
October	92	91	28°	25°	27	33	25°	26°
November	88	85	29°	27°	50	64	27°	28°
December	76	72	30°	28°	115	136	28°	29°

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr Hamilton Island · May Hamilton Island · Jun Hamilton Island · Jul even · Aug even · Sep even · Oct even · Nov Hamilton Island · Dec Hamilton Island.

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Hamilton Island averages 76/100, Mackay 74/100. Hamilton Island is the warmer, around 30°C daytime highs vs 28°C.
March–May: Hamilton Island (average score 82/100 vs 79). Daytime highs are similar (27°C vs 26°C).
June–August: too close to call — Hamilton Island averages 93/100, Mackay 91/100. Hamilton Island is the warmer, around 24°C daytime highs vs 22°C.
September–October: too close to call — Hamilton Island averages 94/100, Mackay 92/100. Hamilton Island is the warmer, around 27°C daytime highs vs 25°C.

Sea temperature

Both seas peak at 30°C / 86°F. Swimmable water (21°C+): Hamilton Island all year, Mackay all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Hamilton Island weather by month · Mackay weather by month · Best time to visit Australia.

More comparisons: Hamilton Island vs Townsville · Hamilton Island vs Cairns · Hamilton Island vs Rockhampton · Mackay vs Rockhampton · Mackay vs Proserpine · all head-to-heads