The Great Barrier Reef’s seasonal weather changes, and typically, the weather on land is very different from the weather at sea.

Cairns Weather forecast

Cairns Weather & Climate

 

Summer
(Dec-Feb)
Autumn
(Mar-May)
Winter
(Jun-Aug)
Spring
(Sep-Nov)
Marine life Overall great marine life activity with plenty to see Overall great marine life activity with plenty to see Minke Whales & Humpback Whales Humpback Whales & Coral Spawning (Nov)
Visibility Excellent Good Good Excellent
Water temperature 29°C (85°F) 25-27°C (77-80°F) 22-24°C (71-75°F) 25-27°C (77-80°F)
Sea Conditions Generally calm Calm to moderate Moderate Generally calm
Rainfall Moderate to high rain generally at night Potential moderate rain Low rainfall Low rainfall

 

Cairns annual temperature & precipitation

Metric

J F M A M J J A S O N D
394
32
24
446
31
24
422
31
23
193
29
22
91
28
20
47
26
18
30
26
17
26
27
17
34
28
19
48
30
21
93
31
22
175
32
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

Imperial

 

Wind forecast for the Great Barrier Reef