MARINE REPORT / 72 HOURS

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Report Today

Australia · Updated Thu 13:38 (AEST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

Go in the best window Data updated Thu 13:38 (AEST)

Great Barrier Reef has a usable snorkeling window around Thu 14:00. The main thing to watch is tide/current.

Right now (forecast)

Good · 5.8/10

Thu 13:00 (AEST)

Later today

Good · 6.3/10

Thu 17:00 (AEST)

Next three days

Excellent · 7.5/10

Fri 12:00 (AEST)

Model estimates using Open-Meteo; not observations or safety guarantees. Check official advisories and conditions at the beach.

Score: 6.3/10

Best time: Thu 14:00

Main risk: Tide/Current

No useful morning window is showing yet.

Best afternoon signal: Thu 17:00 (Good). Peak afternoon wind is about 2.1 m/s.

Later today looks usable around Thu 14:00. Check boat availability.

Email me when it is good Compare nearby spots Check boat availability

Best nearby spots later today

Port Douglas 7.5/10 Excellent · Thu 18:00 Cairns 6.8/10 Good · Thu 17:00

Planning Great Barrier Reef in January? Where to snorkel in January compares destinations and local seasonal cautions.

Plan your visit

These notes help with planning. Rules and closures can change.

Open map

AccessMost Great Barrier Reef snorkeling is a boat trip from Cairns, Port Douglas or an island. Use the site cards below, not the mainland harbour, for the reef forecast.

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.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Sunrise

05:38

Sunset

18:23

Water

28.2°C

Max air

27.0°C

Sky

Cloudy

96% cloud

Good model window in the next 72 hours

Next good model window: Thu 14:00–18:00 (37% of the next 72h meets the model threshold)

3-day planner Best available Show data

3-day planner

Thursday

✅ Good conditions

Main blocker: Tide/current

Friday

✅ Excellent conditions

Main blocker: Tide/current

Saturday

✅ Excellent conditions

Main blocker: Tide/current

Best available hours

The next good model window starts at Thu 14:00 and lasts until 18:00.

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Tide/current (67 hours)
  • Darkness (45 hours)

Jellyfish drift risk

Drift estimate from wind, swell, current and warm water.

Low · 34/100

Low peak drift risk around Thu 17:00.

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 07:00

Thu 18:00, Fri 07:00, Sat 07:00, Sat 19:00, Sun 08:00

Bookable snorkel tours near Great Barrier Reef

Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.

We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Silversonic 3 Outer Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from Port Douglas

Silversonic 3 Outer Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from Port Douglas

4.8/5 556 reviews 10h
From USD 197.99 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Low Isles

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

4.8/5 414 reviews 4h
From USD 174.69 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

4.9/5 474 reviews 9h
From USD 236.48 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

4.8/5 370 reviews 5h 30m
From USD 233.28 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Green Island Day Trip from Cairns with Beaches Transfers

Green Island Day Trip from Cairns with Beaches Transfers

4.5/5 14 reviews 8h
From USD 118.59 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

4.8/5 1475 reviews 8h
From USD 226.53 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Nearby snorkel spot map

Compare nearby spot forecasts for later today before choosing a beach.

Port Douglas Excellent · Thu 18:00 7.5/10 Cairns Good · Thu 17:00 6.8/10 Whitsundays Fair · Thu 18:00 5.1/10 Heron Island Fair · Thu 14:00 4.4/10 Lady Elliot Island Fair · Thu 17:00 3.7/10

Forecast spot map

Use the map to see where the compared spots sit. Open a card for the hourly forecast.

Port Douglas Cairns Whitsundays Heron Island Lady Elliot Island
  1. Port Douglas
  2. Cairns
  3. Whitsundays
  4. Heron Island
  5. Lady Elliot Island

This is a location diagram, not a marine chart. Check the shore and local signs in person.

Nearby alternatives in Australia

Low Isles

18 km away

✅ Good

Agincourt Reef

33 km away

✅ Good

Port Douglas

33 km away

✅ Good

Hastings Reef

43 km away

✅ Good

Advanced forecast data

Viewing historical data

Thu 13:00 – Sun 13:00 (AEST)

Previous day Yesterday Next day Live

Snorkel Score (selected 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.64 around Thu 13:00; 9 of 24 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.

0/24 sampled hours stay at or below 0.36m (range 0.48m to 0.64m).

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 8/24 sampled hours (range 4.51 to 7.2m/s).

Tides range from 0.16m to 1.0m; 0 of 24 hours are in or near peak slack windows.

72-hour historical overview
Good 🌟 Good
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Fair ⚠️ Fair
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Poor ❌ Limited
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Fair ⚠️ Fair
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Fair ⚠️ Fair
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Good 🌟 Good
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Fair ⚠️ Fair
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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 13:00 0.48 · high 4.63 · good 25.80 · good Good
Thu 14:00 0.50 · high 4.95 · good 25.90 · good Good
Thu 15:00 0.50 · high 5.62 · high 26.00 · good Fair
Thu 16:00 0.52 · high 4.51 · good 26.00 · good Good
Thu 17:00 0.52 · high 4.93 · good 26.00 · good Good
Thu 18:00 0.52 · high 4.80 · good 25.90 · good Good
Thu 19:00 0.52 · high 4.84 · good 25.90 · good Poor
Thu 20:00 0.54 · high 5.01 · good 25.90 · good Poor
Thu 21:00 0.50 · high 5.17 · good 25.80 · good Poor
Thu 22:00 0.50 · high 6.46 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Thu 23:00 0.52 · high 6.14 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Fri 00:00 0.54 · high 5.86 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Fri 01:00 0.58 · high 6.05 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Fri 02:00 0.60 · high 6.45 · high 25.60 · good Poor
Fri 03:00 0.60 · high 6.76 · high 25.60 · good Poor
Fri 04:00 0.62 · high 6.93 · high 25.60 · good Poor
Fri 05:00 0.62 · high 7.20 · high 25.60 · good Poor
Fri 06:00 0.64 · high 6.66 · high 25.60 · good Poor
Fri 07:00 0.64 · high 6.11 · high 25.60 · good Poor
Fri 08:00 0.64 · high 6.06 · high 25.60 · good Poor
Fri 09:00 0.64 · high 6.09 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Fri 10:00 0.64 · high 5.91 · high 25.70 · good Fair
Fri 11:00 0.62 · high 5.76 · high 25.70 · good Fair
Fri 12:00 0.62 · high 5.45 · high 25.80 · good Fair
Fri 13:00 0.60 · high 5.44 · high 25.80 · good Fair
Fri 14:00 0.60 · high 5.46 · high 25.90 · good Fair
Fri 15:00 0.58 · high 5.39 · good 25.90 · good Fair
Fri 16:00 0.58 · high 5.27 · good 26.00 · good Fair
Fri 17:00 0.60 · high 5.48 · high 26.00 · good Fair
Fri 18:00 0.60 · high 5.86 · high 26.00 · good Fair
Fri 19:00 0.62 · high 6.08 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Fri 20:00 0.62 · high 6.08 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Fri 21:00 0.58 · high 6.83 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Fri 22:00 0.58 · high 7.14 · high 25.80 · good Poor
Fri 23:00 0.58 · high 7.00 · high 25.80 · good Poor
Sat 00:00 0.60 · high 6.74 · high 25.80 · good Poor
Sat 01:00 0.60 · high 6.74 · high 25.80 · good Poor
Sat 02:00 0.60 · high 6.90 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Sat 03:00 0.62 · high 6.60 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Sat 04:00 0.62 · high 6.16 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Sat 05:00 0.60 · high 5.94 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Sat 06:00 0.60 · high 6.01 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Sat 07:00 0.64 · high 5.77 · high 25.70 · good Poor
Sat 08:00 0.62 · high 5.66 · high 25.80 · good Poor
Sat 09:00 0.60 · high 5.55 · high 25.80 · good Poor
Sat 10:00 0.58 · high 5.17 · good 25.80 · good Fair
Sat 11:00 0.58 · high 5.15 · good 25.90 · good Fair
Sat 12:00 0.56 · high 5.39 · good 25.90 · good Fair
Sat 13:00 0.56 · high 5.75 · high 26.00 · good Fair
Sat 14:00 0.56 · high 5.44 · high 26.10 · good Good
Sat 15:00 0.58 · high 4.72 · good 26.10 · good Good
Sat 16:00 0.58 · high 4.84 · good 26.20 · good Fair
Sat 17:00 0.60 · high 5.26 · good 26.20 · good Fair
Sat 18:00 0.62 · high 5.26 · good 26.10 · good Fair
Sat 19:00 0.58 · high 5.78 · high 26.10 · good Poor
Sat 20:00 0.60 · high 5.93 · high 26.10 · good Poor
Sat 21:00 0.62 · high 6.20 · high 26.00 · good Poor
Sat 22:00 0.64 · high 6.24 · high 26.00 · good Poor
Sat 23:00 0.66 · high 6.34 · high 26.00 · good Poor
Sun 00:00 0.66 · high 6.25 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 01:00 0.68 · high 6.13 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 02:00 0.70 · high 7.44 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 03:00 0.72 · high 7.51 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 04:00 0.74 · high 6.59 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 05:00 0.74 · high 6.67 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 06:00 0.72 · high 6.73 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 07:00 0.72 · high 6.37 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 08:00 0.76 · high 6.90 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 09:00 0.76 · high 6.69 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 10:00 0.76 · high 6.59 · high 25.90 · good Poor
Sun 11:00 0.74 · high 6.67 · high 26.00 · good Poor
Sun 12:00 0.74 · high 6.10 · high 26.00 · good Poor