Friday
⚠️ Fair conditions
Main blocker: Waves
Cairns Snorkel Report Today
Australia · Updated Thu 23:58 (AEST) · Source: Snapshot
The skinny
Marginal Data updated Thu 23:58 (AEST)Cairns looks marginal today. The least-bad daylight window is around Fri 18:00, but waves is limiting the forecast.
Right now (forecast)
Poor · 0.0/10
Fri 00:00 (AEST)
Later today
Fair · 4.6/10
Fri 18:00 (AEST)
Next three days
Good · 5.7/10
Sun 18:00 (AEST)
Model estimates using Open-Meteo; not observations or safety guarantees. Check official advisories and conditions at the beach.
Score: 4.6/10
Best time: Fri 18:00
Main risk: Waves
Best morning signal: Fri 10:00 (Fair).
Best afternoon signal: Fri 18:00 (Fair). Peak afternoon wind is about 8.1 m/s.
Best nearby spots later today
Weakest nearby later today
Plan your visit
These notes help with planning. Rules and closures can change.
AccessCairns is a gateway. Green Island, Fitzroy Island and the outer reefs have their own wind and swell. Open those reports before you leave the harbour.
ParkingParking and boat-harbour rules vary by operator and town. Use marked spaces and never block ramps or residents.
ReservationsMany of the best reefs here are boat-only. Book a permitted operator and ask about weather cancellations.
ClosuresWind, swell, and park rules can close a site even when the town beach looks calm. Check the official source before entering.
Marine lifeDo not touch, chase, or feed marine life. Stay off coral and follow local park rules.
Good model window in the next 72 hours
Next good model window: Sun 18:00 (1% of the next 72h meets the model threshold)
3-day planner
Saturday
⚠️ Fair conditions
Main blocker: Waves
Sunday
✅ Good conditions
Main blocker: Waves
Best available hours
The next good model window starts at Sun 18:00.
Why this verdict
Main blockers across the next 72 hours:
- Waves (70 hours)
- Darkness (43 hours)
- Tide/current (39 hours)
Jellyfish drift risk
Drift estimate from wind, swell, current and warm water.
Low peak drift risk around Fri 15:00.
warm water supports seasonal jellyfish activity; surface drift/current is noticeable; local shoreline exposure is not mapped yet.
Sightings override the model: if you see small purple jellyfish with long trailing tentacles, treat them as sting-capable and give them space.
Upcoming high tides
Next early morning high tide: Fri 05:00
Fri 05:00, Fri 17:00, Sat 06:00, Sat 18:00, Sun 06:00, Sun 18:00
Bookable snorkel tours near Cairns
Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.
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Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
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From USD 199.24
Check availability
Free cancellation available
Ocean Freedom: Great Barrier Reef Stylish Snorkel, Dive Reef Tour
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From USD 161.75
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Free cancellation available
Cairns Half Day Tour a Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Experience
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From USD 129.69
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Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran
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From USD 199.24
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Silverswift 3 Great Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from Cairns
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From USD 223.15
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Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat at Green Island from Cairns
4.1/5
330 reviews
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From USD 92.01
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Free cancellation available
Nearby snorkel spot map
Compare nearby spot forecasts for later today before choosing a beach.
Forecast spot map
Use the map to see where the compared spots sit. Open a card for the hourly forecast.
This is a location diagram, not a marine chart. Check the shore and local signs in person.
Nearby alternatives in Australia
Advanced forecast data
Viewing historical data
Tue 00:00 – Fri 00:00 (AEST)
Snorkel Score (selected 24h)
Best snorkel score is 0.0 around Thu 19:00; 0 of 5 hours are good, fair, or excellent.
Score trend, higher is better. Excellent ≥ 0.72, good 0.55–0.72, fair 0.35–0.55.
Conditions (24h trends)
Tap a chart to load just that series.
0/5 sampled hours stay at or below 0.36m (range 0.98m to 1.0m).
Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 5/5 sampled hours (range 2.73 to 3.34m/s).
Tides range from 0.47m to 0.94m; 0 of 5 hours are in or near peak slack windows.
72-hour historical overview
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Scoring methodology (for technical users)
We score each hour from 0 to 1 using daylight and these weighted components:
- Wave height (35%): best below 0.36m, then decreases as it rises.
- Wind speed (25%): best below 5.4m/s, lower is better.
- Sea surface temperature (15%): best within 20.6°C to 30.4°C.
- Tide and currents (15%): best around slack/high-tide windows.
- Daylight (10%): visibility is better in daylight, so night hours score lower.
Detailed hourly data table
| Time | Wave (m) | Wind (m/s) | Sea temp (°C) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 19:00 | 0.98 · high | 3.34 · good | 24.10 · good | Poor |
| Thu 20:00 | 0.98 · high | 2.94 · good | 24.00 · good | Poor |
| Thu 21:00 | 0.98 · high | 2.89 · good | 24.00 · good | Poor |
| Thu 22:00 | 0.98 · high | 2.73 · good | 24.00 · good | Poor |
| Thu 23:00 | 1.00 · high | 3.30 · good | 24.00 · good | Poor |