A: It is safe to swim all year round in Cairns, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef but it is highly recommended that you wear a lycra suit when entering the water in the warmer months of November-April.
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Snorkelling. The sites in the Great Barrier Reef are shallow enough so that you can easily explore everything below the water's surface. The water in these parts is pleasantly warm and ideal for novices. There are plenty snorkelling expeditions from the main towns along the coasts.
It is recommended to wear a stinger suit as a precaution for any water activities in the Great Barrier Reef. Even if the chances of being stung is low, we wouldn't want anything life-threatening to be happening to you! Best you grab a stinger suit and explore the Great Barrier Reef waters safely.
They are small enough that they often cannot be seen and easily get stuck between the skin and bathing garments. When this happens, they can discharge their nematocysts (part of the tentacles that release venom), essentially causing a jellyfish sting under the swimsuit.
Having said that, you should always try to avoid swimming in waters with jellyfish where possible. The suit provides an extra layer of protection but that doesn't mean it's 100% full proof when it comes to preventing jellyfish stings.
Don't Get Complacent Around Reef SharksA bite in the wrong place at the wrong time could be very dangerous. Attacks by sharks tend to be provoked, and if they aren't, are often because of extenuating circumstances. It's very, very rare for a reef shark attack to occur if you've taken the right precautions.
Reaching the Barrier Reef from Cairns and Port Douglas only takes from 35 minutes to one and a half hours depending on your boat type and the location you are going to snorkel and scuba dive, whereas from everywhere else on the east coast of Australia it takes two and half to three hours to reach the snorkelling and ...
Reef Shark & SnorkelerIn general, snorkeling and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef you will have no problem at all with these reef-dwelling sharks. They can, in fact, be a highlight of any snorkeling or scuba diving trip, often being the hot topic of conversation if you manage to spot one.
Take care when diving and snorkellingBe aware of where your fins are and avoid touching anything with them. Don't rest or stand on coral. If you must stand up, make sure it is on sand or use rest stations. Observe animals rather than handling them directly, and avoid blocking the path of free swimming animals.
Avoiding stinger seasonWhen you snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef during May to October you will avoid the peak stinger season. This is where box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish are around. These jellyfish are around all year, they are more common during the warmer months.
Swim with manta rays on the Southern Great Barrier ReefSo much so, Lady Elliot Island is referred to as the home of the manta ray. You'll see them throughout the year, but mantas are particularly prevalent in large numbers during the cooler months of May - August.
Although it's mid winter, July is also the perfect time to visit the Great Barrier Reef, with the air temperatures in the mid 20's and the water temperature between 22° and 25° it's equivalent to a mild Sydney summers day, and definately warmer in the water than Melbourne or Adelaide in the middle of their summer!
We highly recommend wearing the stinger suits – regardless of the time of year – as it will not only protect you from cairns jellyfish stings, but also provide sun protection in the tropical climate. Snorkellers do not need to fear cairns jellyfish on the Great Barrier Reef. Jellyfish are found around the world.