What are the best times of year for the GBR?

[Mac6737]

My wife and I are experienced divers (150-200 dives in the past 40 years), mostly in the Caribbean, but want to do the Barrier Reef any time after December of this year. What's the best time to go? I've searched this forum, but can't find any general advice on point. We like reefs and fish, and I take pix. We're both healthy, fit seniors, but prefer to avoid cold water and strong currents. (Well, who doesn't?)

Another way of putting the Q, I guess, would be: When is the wost time of year to dive the GBR?

Any guidance will be appreciated.

 

[TXreefer]

Tagging along here- I would love to GBR some day.

 

[mala]

the reef is very long.
its cyclone season in feb towards the northern part.
some of the reef is more than 1 hour from shore and it can be choppy.
if you only do 5 dives a year then i would try to sort a couple of inshore dives first.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Our "winter" is now and June to September is the Minke Whale season, so an amazing experience to dive.

From December to about April is the monsoon season, and although usually incredible weather its very hot and often we can get heavy rains (doesn't affect the trips much) but may get cyclones. Have not had any trips cancel this year an only 1 trip cancelled last year, but just be aware of it.

November is the Coral Spawning and on 1 night of the year you may be lucky enough to witness it. Lots of special trips run to try and catch it.

Here is a link to give an idea of water temperatures etc.

 

[nwflyboy]

More details please.

Although I'm not the OP, I was about to post his question nearly word for word (well, we're maybe not quite as senior as he, but getting close).

We've done our share of diving around the hot spots, and we're quite spoiled (that last trip to Raja Ampat really did it - now, diving anywhere else looks just kind of meh...). But we have never been to Australia yet and of course the GBR is high on our list. W've been thinking about a 3 week trip there around Christmas 2013. That date was floated just because it's probably easier for us to get a long stretch of time off from work then, and because we figured it would be summer there, and thus "nice weather". However, my wife casually mentioned her plan to an Australian co-worker (who I think also dives) and he gave her a concerned look and told her something along the lines of, "you know, if you go then, you're gonna get rained on, don't you?" So now it's occurred to us that we ought to do a little more research into the best/worst dive seasons before we take a year-and-a-half to plan a major trip there.

My personal opinion is that if you're making a trip like that, 3 weeks is the minimum amount of time that's necessary to make it worthwhile for me - it's a long way to go, I won't get to go there often (I wont say "once in a lifetime" but practically speaking, I'm not going to be able to go back often). So I want to make sure our trip is as successful as it can be.

So, setting aside for the moment any constraints we might have that could limit or complicate us getting 3 weeks in a row off from work...what are the best times to do a trip there? We're planning to have about 2 weeks to spend along the NE coast of Australia/GBR; we're planning a liveaboard (not sure on any details yet) and maybe some additional shorter trips out. The focus of our trip will definitely be diving the GBR, but we plan to spend some time (probably about a week) sightseeing on land, too.

Best times to dive? Worst times to dive? Advantages and disadvantages of going during the period around Christmas (say, early December through early January)? When would you go if you could go anytime?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[ozzydamo]

What he said was; winter is best here- we are in the southern hemisphere so your summer is our winter- but please don't overstay your visa we are full already......

 

[Tool Belt]

My partner is leading a two week winterim in Sydney beginning December 27th . From there she and I will fly to Cairns and board the Spirit of Freedom for a three nighter beginning January 14th.

Any and all suggestions,tips, what to do/not do etc, etc are welcomed.

Looking forward to OZ!!

 

[nwflyboy]

So..if you could go any time of the year, for about 2-3 weeks, when would you go (and why specifically would you go then)?

Thanks!

 

[ozzydamo]

So..if you could go any time of the year, for about 2-3 weeks, when would you go (and why specifically would you go then)?

Thanks!

MAY OR JUNE- based on best visibility with better temps(warmer) and wind/weather- this year didn't play the game however!

Travel Tips and Weather | Cairns Dive Expedition Trip Coral Scuba Great Barrier Reef Diving

Depends on what marine life you wish to see also????

 

[mattoau]

June - September you have whales, Dwarf Minke and Humpback.

June - September are the coldest months and you will feel the cold to some degree, especially if using a rental shorty. Visibility is generally at it's best.

November - May is stinger season. Water is warm enough to dive with minimal exposure protection, but it is often recommended to dive with a stinger suit for protection.

The wet season is hot and humid with lots of rain, but it can't rain underwater.

The dry season is warm/cool and dry, but very windy offshore, which can make seas rough and uncomfortable.

Sea life is generally identical throughout the year apart from whales / coral spawning (November), and rain shouldn't affect visibility other than reducing available light due to the cloud cover.

At the end of the day it is swings and roundabouts. The Dry may sound better for the visibility and whales, and the Wet may sound better for warmth. At the end of the day it is a great experience diving on the GBR.

However, the general consensus is that diving the GBR is best in the dry season, but from my own experience I prefer the wet. The reason for this is that in the Wet the winds generally change from a SE direction to N, this means that there is a good chance of diving the Eastern and Southern sides of the reef. I find these sites to be much better for the experienced diver who appreciates unspoilt walls and great visibility. Of course this comes with a caveat, in that you can't guarantee being able to dive these sites due to the conditions, but if you can then it is a much better experience than the North Westerly sites on the reef.