Great Barrier Reef

Meteorologist

The Great Barrier Reef is a collection of about 3000 reefs off the coast of Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is an underwater tropical environment. This means there is no frost or snow at the Great Barrier Reef. It also means it has a wet season and a dry season with a temperature remaining similar all year.

Here are the average temperatures for each month in the Great Barrier Reef.

Take a look at the temperatures and think about which months are hotter and which months are cooler.

Average temperatures

The Great Barrier Reef has tropical, warm weather all year round.

There is lots of sunshine, warm ocean water and refreshing sea breeze most days.

The coast of Queensland can experience a bit of rain but out to sea where the Great Barrier Reef is located gets much less rain. Even if it is raining on land, it is often beautiful and sunny out at the reef.

Take a look at the table below of the average rainfall for the Great Barrier Reef.

Rainfall

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Spring

Summer

Which months have the most rain?

Which months have the least rain?

To find out how much rainfall is in Summer add the Summer months together.

399 + 428 + 209 =

Ready to visit?

What should you take with you?

Summer

When traveling to the Great Barrier Reef in Summer it is important to wear cool clothes as the days can get very hot.

The Great Barrier Reef is in the middle of the ocean and has no protection from the sun. It is important to wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sun screen.

Activities at the Great Barrier Reef all involve being in the water, make sure you bring your swimmers! In Summer, there are many jellyfish in the water. It is important to wear full body wet suits when in the water to protect yourself from stinging jellyfish.

To swim in the Great Barrier Reef and see what lives here you will also need goggles, flippers and a snorkel or scuba diving gear. Don't forget to bring a towel and thongs for when you get out of the water.

The days may be very hot but the nights can get cool, bring a light jumper for warmth at night.

Winter

When traveling to the Great Barrier Reef in Winter the days are still very warm. Cool clothes for the warm days are needed with a warm jumper or pants to put on at night for when the temperature gets quite cool.

The Great Barrier Reef is in the middle of the ocean and has no protection from the sun, it is still very important to protect yourself even in Winter. It is important to wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sun screen.

Activities at the Great Barrier Reef all involve being in the water even in Winter, make sure you bring your swimmers! In Winter the water is still very warm and pleasant to swim in. Luckily, there are no jellyfish around in Winter and it is possible to swim in just your swimmers. For those who still get a little cold when in the water a wet suit is recommended.

Like Summer, you will also need goggles, flippers and a snorkel or scuba diving gear to swim in the Great Barrier Reef and see what lives down below the surface. Don't forget to bring a towel and thongs for when you get out of the water.

When to visit

Do not forget all the correct gear if you decide to scuba dive or snorkel!

The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is between June and October. Between these months the water is very warm and there is less rain which makes it easier to see underwater. During this time there are also less stinging jellyfish around.

For more fun facts and photos

Click here

Great Barrier Reef

Meteorologist

The Great Barrier Reef is a collection of about 3000 reefs off the coast of Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is an underwater tropical environment. This means there is no frost or snow at the Great Barrier Reef. It also means it has a wet season and a dry season with a temperature remaining similar all year.

​

Here are the average temperatures for each month in the Great Barrier Reef.

Take a look at the temperatures and think about which months are hotter and which months are cooler.

Average temperatures

​

The Great Barrier Reef has tropical, warm weather all year round.

There is lots of sunshine, warm ocean water and refreshing sea breeze most days.

The coast of Queensland can experience a bit of rain but out to sea where the Great Barrier Reef is located gets much less rain. Even if it is raining on land, it is often beautiful and sunny out at the reef.

​

Take a look at the table below of the average rainfall for the Great Barrier Reef.

​

Rainfall

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Spring

Summer

Which months have the most rain?

Which months have the least rain?

​

To find out how much rainfall is in Summer add the Summer months together.

399 + 428 + 209 =

​

Ready to visit?

What should you take with you?

Summer

When traveling to the Great Barrier Reef in Summer it is important to wear cool clothes as the days can get very hot.

The Great Barrier Reef is in the middle of the ocean and has no protection from the sun. It is important to wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sun screen.

​

Activities at the Great Barrier Reef all involve being in the water, make sure you bring your swimmers! In Summer, there are many jellyfish in the water. It is important to wear full body wet suits when in the water to protect yourself from stinging jellyfish.

​

To swim in the Great Barrier Reef and see what lives here you will also need goggles, flippers and a snorkel or scuba diving gear. Don't forget to bring a towel and thongs for when you get out of the water.

​

The days may be very hot but the nights can get cool, bring a light jumper for warmth at night.

​

Winter

When traveling to the Great Barrier Reef in Winter the days are still very warm. Cool clothes for the warm days are needed with a warm jumper or pants to put on at night for when the temperature gets quite cool.

​

The Great Barrier Reef is in the middle of the ocean and has no protection from the sun, it is still very important to protect yourself even in Winter. It is important to wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sun screen.

​

Like Summer, you will also need goggles, flippers and a snorkel or scuba diving gear to swim in the Great Barrier Reef and see what lives down below the surface. Don't forget to bring a towel and thongs for when you get out of the water.

​

When to visit

Do not forget all the correct gear if you decide to scuba dive or snorkel!

​

The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is between June and October. Between these months the water is very warm and there is less rain which makes it easier to see underwater. During this time there are also less stinging jellyfish around.

​

For more fun facts and photos