Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Report Today

Australia · Updated Fri 22:45 (AEST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

No forecast for later today Data updated Fri 22:45 (AEST)

No remaining forecast hours are available for today in Great Barrier Reef. Check the three-day outlook.

Right now (forecast)

Poor · 0.0/10

Fri 23:00 (AEST)

Later today

No fresh data for this period.

Next three days

Fair · 4.7/10

Mon 18:00 (AEST)

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

Score: No score

Best time: -

Main risk: Changing Conditions

No useful morning window is showing yet.

No useful afternoon window is showing yet.

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

06:10

Sunset

18:12

Water

23.6°C

Max air

23.5°C

Sky

Partly cloudy

52% cloud

No good model window in the next 72 hours

Use the best-available section for the least-bad times.

3-day planner

Saturday

Poor conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Sunday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Monday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Best available hours

  • Mon 18:00: Fair (0.47) · still limited by waves, wind
  • Mon 13:00: Fair (0.41) · still limited by waves, wind
  • Mon 17:00: Fair (0.41) · still limited by waves, wind

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Waves (70 hours)
  • Tide/current (70 hours)
  • Wind (68 hours)

Jellyfish drift risk

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

Low · 26/100

Low drift risk now.

water is warm enough for occasional jellyfish; 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: Sat 06:00

Sat 06:00, Sat 18:00, Sun 06:00, Sun 18:00, Mon 06:00, Mon 18:00

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.

Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

4.9/5 465 reviews 9h
From USD 267.68 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Low Isles

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

4.8/5 412 reviews 4h
From USD 177.97 Check availability

Free cancellation available

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

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

4.8/5 549 reviews 10h
From USD 201.70 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

4.8/5 364 reviews 5h 30m
From USD 264.06 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 1455 reviews 8h
From USD 230.79 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Aerial shot of Quicksilver Pontoon

Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

4.6/5 847 reviews 8h
From USD 244.53 Check availability

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

Sun 23:00 – Wed 23:00 (AEST)

No saved data is available for this window yet.

Snorkel Score (selected 24h)

No score data is available for the next 24 hours yet.

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.

No wave-height trend data is available for the next 24 hours yet.

No wind-speed trend data is available for the next 24 hours yet.

No tide trend data is available for the next 24 hours yet.

72-hour historical overview

No hourly data is available for this 72-hour window.

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
No hourly data is available for this window.