Best Time To Visit Great Barrier Reef

The weather during these months begins to transition towards the warmer side. The earlier weeks of November is still suitable for diving, and the footfall lowers during the month as well. The temperature in this season stays between 28 to 30 degrees Celsius, and rainfall is scarce during both these months, but May might experience shorter bouts of the shower.

Both the months serve as outliers of the peak season and are therefore good times to plan a vacation if anyone wants to avoid the crowd that arrives during the peak season. November also witnesses two important recreational sporting events- the Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim, and the Hamilton Island Triathlon. These events attract participants internationally and are great fun to attend even for non-participants.

Off-Season is also known as ‘stinger season’ due to the increased abundance of stingers, which becomes a great obstacle in diving and many other aquatic activities in the Great Barrier Reef. Moreover, since these are the summer months, the temperature rises, ranging around 30 degrees celsius, and the rate of precipitation also significantly increases. For all of these reasons, these months are not the best time to plan a vacation to the reef. The rainfall hampers aquatic visibility as well.

The summer season coincides with the offseason, which is also known as the ‘wet season’. This period is characterised by high humidity, high temperature, and a comparatively lower rate of footfall. This period is not the ideal type to go for diving or any underwater experience. However, several other vacationing activities can be planned around this time of the year, such as the grand Cairns Chinese New Year Festival.

The autumn season witnesses fewer tourists than the peak months which immediately follow. These months have an average temperature of around 28 degrees celsius, and the rate of precipitation significantly decreases when compared with the summer months. The most popular tourist attraction hosted during these months are the Port Douglas Carnivale, which is held in May. Water Sports and beach activities are not suggested during March and the earlier weeks of April, but May is well fit for swimming and diving.

Fresh breeze, lower temperature, absence of stingers, and low humidity mark the winter months of the dry season. All of these reasons also justify why this time of the year is the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Other than swimming and several aquatic sports, tourists can also participate in various other events during this time.

The famous Burdekin Water Festival is held in July and August, the Whitsunday Reef Festival and the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week are both held in August. However, these months also see a surge in tourists and therefore isn't the best time for budget travellers or for those looking forward to a quieter vacation. 

Spring experiences an average temperature of around 27 degrees celsius, and the rainfall is quite low, increasing gradually towards the end of November. This period also has pleasant breezes, and the seawater is quite warm- owing to which tourist activities are on the rise. The Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Festival, hosted during October, is one of the major cultural events held in this region which attract people from all over the world.

Other important festivals to look out for during this period are the Airlie Beach Festival of Music and the Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim, organised in November, and the Palm Cove Reef Feast held in October.