Australia, Oceania & Pacific

Great Barrier Reef in November

Warm water and clear conditions before the wet season, but stinger season is under way. Coral spawning is possible around the full moon.

GoodHot, highs near 86F (30C), humidity building

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

The straight answer

November is a good month to visit Great Barrier Reef. Warm water and clear conditions before the wet season, but stinger season is under way. Coral spawning is possible around the full moon.

Weather: Hot, highs near 86F (30C), humidity building
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What November is like in Great Barrier Reef

November is hot, with highs near 86F (30C) and humidity building ahead of the wet season. The water is warm and still clear, and crowds and prices are moderate. Stinger season is under way, so you wear a stinger suit on reef trips and swim at netted beaches on the coast. Afternoon storms start to appear late in the month.

It suits divers and snorkelers who want warm water and good visibility before the rains, and wildlife fans hoping for coral spawning or turtle nesting. Families can make it work with stinger suits. If you want no stingers and cooler, drier days, June to September is easier.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Great Barrier Reef this month.

Coral spawning season

Mass coral spawning is possible a few nights after the full moon, varying by reef and year. Some operators run special night dives when it happens.

Turtle nesting at Mon Repos

Loggerhead turtles begin nesting at Mon Repos near Bundaberg. Ranger-guided evening tours let you watch quietly from the beach.

Warm, clear water

The sea is warm and visibility is still good before the wet season runoff arrives.

What to pack for November

A rash guard for under the stinger suit
Reef-safe sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat
A light rain jacket for late-month storms
Insect repellent for humid evenings

Our timing tip

Look up the full moon date for your trip, since coral spawning usually happens a few nights after it, and book Mon Repos turtle tours well ahead.

Book Great Barrier Reef for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
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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 November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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What's on in November

Coral spawning

A few nights after the full moon, roughly October to December, varying by reef

Mass coral spawning releases clouds of eggs and sperm into the water. Timing depends on water temperature and moon phase, so it cannot be promised in advance.

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.

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Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation

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

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Lady Elliot Island

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

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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 November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Great Barrier Reef?

November is a good month to visit Great Barrier Reef. Warm water and clear conditions before the wet season, but stinger season is under way. Coral spawning is possible around the full moon.

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

Hot, highs near 86F (30C), humidity building.

Is Great Barrier Reef crowded in November?

Crowds in Great Barrier Reef are moderate in November; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Great Barrier Reef in November?

Coral spawning (a few nights after the full moon, roughly october to december, varying by reef); 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).