Warmer months from November to April is the peak tourist season for Great Barrier Reef cruises. However, the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef for you will depend on the activities you’d like to explore.
Water activities are popular in the summer (Dec to Feb), but this is also the peak tourist season, so expect large crowds. The summer also brings showers, so visibility under the surface is not its best. If you want several water activities or the best views of the reef, May to Jun and Sep to Oct (off-peak seasons) is your best bet as the water is still warm for prolonged underwater activities and visibility is also at its peak.
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, turtle nesting period is in Nov to Dec, but if you’d rather watch little turtles hatch and crawl to the ocean, come in Jan to March. June and July is when you can spot dwarf minke whales and humpback whales can be spotted through July to October.