Best Time to Visit Great Barrier Reef

June to October

Months to avoid: December to March (cyclone season, stinger season in full force, visibility can drop after heavy rain)

Recommended stay: 4-6 days

Plan Great Barrier Reef for June to October. Give it 4-6 days. The window to avoid is December to March (cyclone season, stinger season in full force, visibility can drop after heavy rain).

What the season gets you

• Outer reef liveaboards from Cairns reach Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs, where potato cod the size of labradors swim up to inspect you at arm's length
• Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is silica sand so fine it squeaks underfoot, and the swirling tidal flats at Hill Inlet are unlike anything else on the coast
• Lady Elliot Island sits at the southern tip of the reef with manta rays year-round and nesting turtles from November to March, no day-tripper crowds