Reefs and islands just offshore are excellent. Green Island is a well-developed coral cay tourist spot, with good snorkeling and diving and is serviced by several operators. Fitzroy Island is a mainland island with good fringing reefs. The other islands are for day visits only, with Michaelmas being an internationally significant bird rookery.
Trips from Cairns access the Coral Sea, Far Northern reefs and Port Douglas to Lizard Island. Liveaboard trips and day trips are available.
Cairns has two distinct seasons ‘wet’ (summer and autumn) and ‘dry’ (winter and spring).
The ‘wet’ season . This is the time of year Cairns receives most of its annual rainfall and has quite high day time temperatures and humidity. (December – May)
The ‘dry’ season (June – November) has lower day time temperatures, humidity and generally, much less rainfall
Some of our best diving has been experienced during the ‘wet’ season, while the ‘dry’ season offers visitors more comfortable day time temperatures and conditions, and once in a lifetime opportunities to swim and dive with Dwarf Minke Whales
Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef water temperature varies throughout the year, from a comfortable 29 degrees in summer (December – February) to 22 degrees in winter (June – August).
By Air
Cairns is often referred to as the heart of the reef as it welcomes international and domestic visitors to its city through its international airport. For many, this is the easiest way to reach the Great Barrier Reef and also combine a visit the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest.
By Road
The 1700 kilometre Bruce Highway (M1) connects Brisbane to coastal populations in North Queensland to access the Great Barrier Reef by road. The trip is long and it is recommend that you do it over a period of two to three weeks. Schedule regular stops to give yourself a break but also see what Australia has to offer. If you only have a week in Queensland then forget it and head to the nearest airport for a flight. You will only spend the entire holiday driving and missing out on what you came to Queensland to see.
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