The Great Barrier Reef
The largest living structure on the planet, seen from a snorkel at three feet down, with rainforest reaching the sand behind you.
The best time to visit The Great Barrier Reef is Jun–Oct, when typical daytime highs reach about 30°C (87°F). Local time there is 16:00 (UTC+10).
Good for
In season
The year at a glance
June · high 25°C · rain 32mm · 11.1h of daylight · in the recommended window
shaded columns are the recommended window
Measured at Cairns, the arrival airport
Averages for 2019–2023 from Open-Meteo’s archive, not a forecast
| Month | High °CHigh °F | Rain mmRain in | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C86°F | 536mm21.1in | 13.0h13.0h | |
| February | 31°C87°F | 304mm12.0in | 12.7h12.7h | |
| March | 30°C85°F | 249mm9.8in | 12.2h12.2h | |
| April | 29°C83°F | 258mm10.2in | 11.7h11.7h | |
| May | 26°C80°F | 75mm3.0in | 11.3h11.3h | |
| June | 25°C78°F | 32mm1.3in | 11.1h11.1h | in the recommended window |
| July | 25°C76°F | 53mm2.1in | 11.2h11.2h | in the recommended window |
| August | 25°C78°F | 35mm1.4in | 11.6h11.6h | in the recommended window |
| September | 27°C80°F | 31mm1.2in | 12.0h12.0h | in the recommended window |
| October | 29°C84°F | 28mm1.1in | 12.5h12.5h | in the recommended window |
| November | 30°C86°F | 50mm2.0in | 12.9h12.9h | |
| December | 30°C86°F | 360mm14.2in | 13.1h13.1h |
Good to know
Would your whole group agree on it?
Can't agree where to go? Set what's actually possible, answer eight quick questions each, and out comes the one destination that fits everybody. Even the little ones join in, with questions read aloud and picture answers. Two minutes each, no signup.
Try it with your groupCommon questions
When is the best time to visit The Great Barrier Reef?
The best time to visit The Great Barrier Reef is Jun–Oct, when typical daytime highs reach about 30°C (87°F).
How warm does The Great Barrier Reef get?
Typical daytime highs in The Great Barrier Reef are Mar–May 28°C (83°F), Jun–Aug 25°C (77°F), Sep–Nov 29°C (83°F), Dec–Feb 30°C (87°F).
Is The Great Barrier Reef expensive?
On the ground, The Great Barrier Reef is steep.
What sort of trip is The Great Barrier Reef good for?
The Great Barrier Reef is good for beach and sun holidays, nature and scenery, bucket-list trips, adventure holidays.
How rainy is The Great Barrier Reef?
The wettest month in The Great Barrier Reef is January at 536mm (21.1in), the driest October at 28mm (1.1in), with a monthly average of 168mm (6.6in).
What plug do I need for The Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef uses type I sockets at 230 V.
