Thornton Beach
Thornton Beach
4.5
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3 within 5 kms
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18 within 10 kms
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4.5
45 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
13
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
WorldTravla7
Cairns, Australia8,656 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
Located in the Daintree National Park not far from Cape Tribulation, this beautiful beach is a known croc spot. When I first visited in April 2015 there was a sign on the beach with a photograph of a crocodile up on the sand during daylight after a recent sighting. Tragically, there was also a death at Thornton Beach in early 2016 when a woman went swimming at night time and was taken by a crocodile. You can imagine my astonishment then when I returned recently and found people fishing out on a sandbank and a woman swimming out in the water up to her neck.
By all means visit the beach for a walk to enjoy one of the best spots in the Daintree where the rainforest meets the sea, but treat it as a non-swimming beach and don't go in the water. There is plenty to enjoy at Thornton, but swimming in the water should not be one of them (not far from the beach I went on a croc tour and saw multiple salties on the river bank). If you need to get wet, drive up the road a bit towards Cape Tribulation and there are freshwater spots up there you can swim in such as Mason's.
By all means visit the beach for a walk to enjoy one of the best spots in the Daintree where the rainforest meets the sea, but treat it as a non-swimming beach and don't go in the water. There is plenty to enjoy at Thornton, but swimming in the water should not be one of them (not far from the beach I went on a croc tour and saw multiple salties on the river bank). If you need to get wet, drive up the road a bit towards Cape Tribulation and there are freshwater spots up there you can swim in such as Mason's.
Written 14 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G.Law85
Jedburgh, UK154 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Yet another gorgeous beach on the roadside. There’s two parking areas where you can park and walk to the beach in less then 30 seconds.
The beach is gorgeous with lovely palm trees lining the white sand. It’s a lovely and quite away from the crowds of Port Douglas. There’s even a few bent palm trees for picture ops.
The beach is gorgeous with lovely palm trees lining the white sand. It’s a lovely and quite away from the crowds of Port Douglas. There’s even a few bent palm trees for picture ops.
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VWriter
Los Gatos, CA852 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
We stopped at a kiosk next to the beach and after having a snack there was time to walk around this beautiful area. Our kiosk owner gave us a friendly warning to be careful where we walked as this is the territory of salt water crocodiles. We walked on and just at the end of the edge of the sandy shore a big yellow sign with a drawing of a crocodile's head and open jaws was posted, with a warning not to swim here. I did not see any of these creatures and the beach was incredibly lovely. There is a certain excitement in being in the area. I did take care to look all around me while I was in the vicinity. A little later, where a river meets the sea a few miles up the coast, I did see two crocodiles.
Written 20 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Hallett
Adelaide, Australia1,037 contributions
Apr 2021
Pristine beach easily reached from the carpark.
Not sure about swimming! There are definitely crocodiles so caution when you are walking!
Not sure about swimming! There are definitely crocodiles so caution when you are walking!
Written 28 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Further
Providence, RI17 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
We spent several days in the Daintree, north of the Ferry. There are several great beaches to stroll and explore in the area, but in my opinion this is the best of them.
Chances are you will be close to the only people on the beach, which is remarkable considering how beautiful it is. Just remember - NO SWIMMING - and keep an eye out for crocs.
Chances are you will be close to the only people on the beach, which is remarkable considering how beautiful it is. Just remember - NO SWIMMING - and keep an eye out for crocs.
Written 14 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen A
Melbourne, Australia183 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
This is another stunning, beautiful beach where the forest meets the sand.
An extra bonus is there is mobile coverage and a cafe!
An extra bonus is there is mobile coverage and a cafe!
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annettelaurie
Plymouth, UK2,015 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
THORNTON BEACH ,
Gorgeous coloured sand and huge expanse to go walking along. Unfortunately for us, it was very windy and this was not conducive to laying down and getting a calm and comfortable tan! In addition the stinger (jellyfish) and crocodile signs are out and there was no way we were going to feel relaxed at all. We had a brief walk along the sands before heading back to the picnic area and collecting our car, trying to find somewhere a little more safe! There are so many little ghost crabs on the beach making their delicate patterns with tiny round balls of sand, it was a shame to walk on them, but there was no space left to go
Gorgeous coloured sand and huge expanse to go walking along. Unfortunately for us, it was very windy and this was not conducive to laying down and getting a calm and comfortable tan! In addition the stinger (jellyfish) and crocodile signs are out and there was no way we were going to feel relaxed at all. We had a brief walk along the sands before heading back to the picnic area and collecting our car, trying to find somewhere a little more safe! There are so many little ghost crabs on the beach making their delicate patterns with tiny round balls of sand, it was a shame to walk on them, but there was no space left to go
Written 14 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen R
Sippy Downs, Australia575 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
One of the nicer beaches in the area, great views north and south, up to the local hills, looking down to the mouth of Cooper Creek.
Written 17 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sherpa09411027830
1 contribution
Nov 2018 • Friends
This was my first visit to the Daintree and it was stunning. Thornton beach cafe looks out across the Coral Sea providing amazing views. The cafe service was 5 star. Thanks to all ! Though only a short trip this time, I will return for a longer stay. Phil, Victoria
Written 19 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HROxon
Oxford, UK942 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We stopped here (in adjoining car park) for a picnic lunch. There is some covered timber seating but we opted to sit on the beach and enjoy the scenery. Waters edge about 50m from tree line. Distant views both ways and great to walk on waters edge with such a huge beach virtually to our selves.
Written 8 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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