Australia, Oceania & Pacific

Great Barrier Reef in March

Still wet and in cyclone season, with stingers present. Rainforest waterfalls are at their fullest.

TradeoffsHot, humid, highs near 86F (30C), heavy rain

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef — Great Barrier ReefPhoto: Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

March is a month of real tradeoffs in Great Barrier Reef. Still wet and in cyclone season, with stingers present. Rainforest waterfalls are at their fullest.

Weather: Hot, humid, highs near 86F (30C), heavy rain
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What March is like in Great Barrier Reef

March is still wet and still in cyclone season. Highs sit near 86F (30C), the air is heavy and humid, and big rains come through often. Stingers are in the water, so stinger suits are a must, and some reef days get called off when the wind is up. The upside is quiet boats and low prices.

It suits budget travelers who are flexible and happy to trade some rain for lower rates, and rainforest lovers who want the waterfalls at their fullest. For your first reef trip, or if you want reliable visibility, wait for May or go straight to the June to October dry season.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Great Barrier Reef this month.

Fullest waterfalls of the year

After months of rain, the falls and rivers around Cairns and the Daintree are running hard. Check local road updates before heading out.

Last of the Mon Repos hatchlings

Loggerhead hatching winds down at Mon Repos near Bundaberg. Late-season tours can still be rewarding.

Quiet reef boats

With few visitors, pontoon and snorkel trips have more space, and crews have more time for kids and nervous swimmers.

What to pack for March

A packable rain shell
Quick-dry shorts and shirts
Rash guards for under stinger suits
Insect repellent for the rainforest

Our timing tip

Choose inshore trips like Green Island or Low Isles on windy days, since they are shorter and more likely to run than long outer reef crossings.

Book Great Barrier Reef for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Great Barrier Reef
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Vacation rentals in Great Barrier Reef
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Great Barrier Reef for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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What's on in March

Stinger season

Roughly November to May, sometimes starting in October

Box jellyfish and Irukandji can be present. Wear the stinger suits operators provide and swim at netted beaches on the coast.

Turtle nesting and hatching at Mon Repos

Nesting roughly November to January; hatching roughly January to March

Ranger-guided evening tours let visitors watch loggerhead turtles nest and hatchlings head to the sea. Book ahead.

Things to do in Great Barrier Reef

Full guide

An outer reef day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas

The outer reef has clearer water than inshore sites. Port Douglas boats reach the Agincourt Reefs; Cairns boats cover many outer reefs. Go on a calm-forecast day.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet

Pure silica sand swirling with turquoise tidal channels. Time Hill Inlet's lookout for low tide for the famous patterns.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

A liveaboard to the Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole

Multi-day dive trips reach remote reefs few day boats visit. Dwarf minke whale encounters happen here around June and July.

Tickets and tours →

Heart Reef by scenic flight

The heart-shaped reef can only be seen from the air. Seaplane and helicopter flights run from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.

Tickets and tours →

Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation

Ancient rainforest meeting the reef. Best in the dry season when roads and the Daintree River ferry run smoothly.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Elliot Island

A small coral cay at the southern tip of the reef, renowned for manta rays and turtles, reachable by light aircraft.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Choose September or October over July: dry-season conditions, warmer water, and fewer southern Australians on their winter escape.
Book smaller-capacity boats or a liveaboard; the biggest pontoon trips carry hundreds of passengers to the same sites.
Stay in Port Douglas rather than Cairns if you want a quieter base with quicker access to the Agincourt and Low Isles reefs.
Avoid the Easter, late June to mid July, late September, and Christmas to January school holiday periods when Australian families fill resorts.

Know before you go

Reef trips operate year-round, but cyclones and strong winds can cancel departures on short notice, especially from December to April.
In stinger season, coastal beaches in tropical Queensland rely on stinger nets for swimming; some nets are removed in heavy weather.
The Daintree region's roads and river crossings can be affected by flooding in the wet season.
Reef tours include the Environmental Management Charge (the reef tax), which funds reef management; it is collected by operators.

Great Barrier Reef in March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Great Barrier Reef?

March is a month of real tradeoffs in Great Barrier Reef. Still wet and in cyclone season, with stingers present. Rainforest waterfalls are at their fullest.

What is the weather like in Great Barrier Reef in March?

Hot, humid, highs near 86F (30C), heavy rain.

Is Great Barrier Reef crowded in March?

March is one of the quieter months in Great Barrier Reef; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Great Barrier Reef in March?

Stinger season (roughly november to may, sometimes starting in october); Turtle nesting and hatching at Mon Repos (nesting roughly november to january; hatching roughly january to march).