Great Barrier Reef Water Temperature

The Great Barrier Reef lies off the coast of Queensland, Australia in the appropriately named Coral Sea area of the Pacific Ocean. The reef is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It’s the largest living structure on the globe, and can even be seen from outer space.


The reef has hundreds of beautiful tropical islands with some of the most gorgeous sandy beaches you could wish for. Towns like Cairns and Port Douglas have excellent accommodation, entertainment and shopping for visitors.

Great Barrier Reef is a city close to pacific ocean. February is the month with the warmest water temperature at 84.2°F / 29°C. The coolest month is July with an avg. water temperature of 73.6°F / 23.1°C. September is the sunniest at 0.1in / 3.3mm and February the wettest month with 13.3in / 337.2mm. The average air temperature is around 76.1°F / 24.5°C, February is the hottest month in a year. July is the coolest with 65.1°F / 18.4°C average air temperature. tropical monsoon climate would be the climate here. May, June, September, October, November would be the best time to visit.

Great Barrier Reef Summary

Description Value
Current water temperature /
Warmest Month Water Temperature: February with 29°C / 84.2°F
Coldest Month Water Temperature: July with 23.1°C / 73.6°F
Warmest Month Air Temperature: February with 24.5°C / 76.1°F
Coldest Month Air Temperature: July with 18.4°C / 65.1°F
Wettest Month: February with 337.2mm / 13.3in
Driest Month: September with 3.3mm / 0.1in
Highest Humidity February with 84.1%
Lowest Humidity September with 74.6%
Best Time to Visit: May, June, September, October, November
Climate Classification tropical monsoon climate

Great Barrier Reef water temperature by month

pacific ocean water temperature by month

Max. Water

Temperature (°C)

ø. Water

Temperature (°C)

Min. Water

Temperature (°C)

January

29.2 28.8 28.5

February

29.2 28.9 28.6

March

28.8 28.3 27.9

April

27.8 27.1 26.3

May

26.3 25.6 24.7

June

24.8 24.1 23.5

July

23.6 23.2 23

August

23.8 23.4 23

September

25 24.4 23.8

October

26.5 25.8 25

November

27.7 27.1 26.5

December

28.5 28.2 27.6

pacific ocean water temperature by month

Max. Water

Temperature (°F)

ø. Water

Temperature (°F)

Min. Water

Temperature (°F)

January

84.6 83.8 83.3

February

84.6 84 83.5

March

83.8 82.9 82.2

April

82 80.8 79.3

May

79.3 78.1 76.5

June

76.6 75.4 74.3

July

74.5 73.8 73.4

August

74.8 74.1 73.4

September

77 75.9 74.8

October

79.7 78.4 77

November

81.9 80.8 79.7

December

83.3 82.8 81.7
The highest water temperature will be reached in February with around 84.2°F / 29°C. The lowest in July with an average water temperature of 73.6°F / 23.1°C.

Coral needs warm water to live and grow, and the sea around the Great Barrier Reef maintains a steady water temperature of between 71F or 22C to 28F or 82C throughout the year. Diving, surfing and sailing are all popular pastimes in this glorious region, and you’re almost guaranteed great conditions.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver there are sites that are perfect for you, and numerous dive schools and boat charters cater to all levels. The reef is a protected natural environment so do check which areas allow certain activities.

Best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef

Any time of year is perfect for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. However, during the ‘green season’ which lasts from December to March tropical downpours through the night are likely. On the plus side, mornings tend to be glorious and sunny with light trade winds, the perfect climate for sailing holidays or diving and surfing trips.

Throughout the rest of the year, the clear, unspoiled waters are ideal for swimming and other water sports in designated areas, and the seas around the Great Barrier Reef are considered among the world’s cleanest.


Great Barrier Reef weather by month / climate table

Max.

Temperature

°C

ø.

Temperature

°C

Min.

Temperature

(°C)

Precip.

(mm)

Rainy Days

(d)

Rel. Humidity

(%)

January

28.2 24.5 22.3 333.6 24 82.6%

February

28.5 24.5 22.3 337.2 23 84.1%

March

27 23.7 21.3 291.3 20 83.7%

April

25.9 22.5 19.9 76.7 9 80.7%

May

24.5 20.9 18.2 22.7 0 78.3%

June

22.4 19.3 16.4 10.8 0 78.6%

July

21.6 18.4 15.9 4.8 0 77%

August

23 18.8 15.5 4.2 0 75.4%

September

24.5 20.5 17.5 3.3 0 74.6%

October

26.7 22.2 18.9 32.4 0 75.5%

November

27.1 23.5 20.6 65.7 4 77.3%

December

27.9 24.5 22 164.6 12 80.1%

Max.

Temperature

°F

ø.

Temperature

°F

Min.

Temperature

(°F)

Precip.

(in)

Rainy Days

(d)

Rel. Humidity

(%)

January

82.8 76.1 72.1 13.1 24 82.6%

February

83.3 76.1 72.1 13.3 23 84.1%

March

80.6 74.7 70.3 11.5 20 83.7%

April

78.6 72.5 67.8 3 9 80.7%

May

76.1 69.6 64.8 0.9 0 78.3%

June

72.3 66.7 61.5 0.4 0 78.6%

July

70.9 65.1 60.6 0.2 0 77%

August

73.4 65.8 59.9 0.2 0 75.4%

September

76.1 68.9 63.5 0.1 0 74.6%

October

80.1 72 66 1.3 0 75.5%

November

80.8 74.3 69.1 2.6 4 77.3%

December

82.2 76.1 71.6 6.5 12 80.1%
September is the driest at 0.1in / 3.3mm and February the wettest month with 13.3in / 337.2mm. With an average temperature of 76.1°F / 24.5°C, February is the warmest month in a year. July is the coldest with 65.1°F / 18.4°C average temperature.

You should see this when you visiting the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is home to a spectacular variety of unique and diverse marine life including over 30 species of whales, porpoises and dolphin, 17 types of sea snake and an astounding 1500 species of fish. Try snorkelling and scuba diving, at Heron Island in the southern part of the reef which is home to Loggerhead and Green Turtles, or book a sailing trip from Cairns in North Queensland to take in a range of exceptional sights.

Cairns is a great base for explorers and is one of the closest cities to the Great Barrier Reef. Discover designer shopping, sophisticated nightlife and elegant restaurants, all within easy reach of tropical rainforest, pristine white, sand beaches and of course, the magnificent Great Barrier Reef.

Activities & POI in Great Barrier Reef

Type of Activity List
Attraction Raging Thunder Adventures HQ, Outer Reef Platform - Great Adventures, Dragonfly Zen, Cairns Night Markets, Magic Reef Plattform, Reef Teach, Down Under Diving, Crocodiles, Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome, Cairns Botanic Gardens

Picture Copyright Flickr CC 2.0: brian.gratwicke

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