The Climate, Diving Season and Best Time to Visit
Australia, the coast of North Queensland in particular, is a year round diving destination, blessed with a tropical climate that ensures an idyllic water temperature in winter and summer. Although water temperatures can very dramatically depending on where along Australia's vast coastline you are diving, the Great Barrier Reef has a water temperature of between 24 and 29°C, with the summer months from December to February being warmest and wettest. The sea is calmest between September and December. For more information on the Cairns climate and surrounding Outer Barrier Reef sea conditions, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website.
Liveaboard Ports of Departure & How to Get There
Most visitors arrive at Cairns International Airport, which is only 5 minutes drive from the centre of Cairns itself, allowing you to be at your hotel or liveaboard very soon after your arrival. The modern airport has an excellent range of facilities including ATM's, currency exchange, car hire desks, post office, baggage storage and shopping & dining options. There are taxis, mini buses and also a bus service into the city from both the domestic and international terminals. Visit Cairns Airport for more on their facilities and transport information. More information on: How to get to Australia.
Travel Online offers holiday packages, flights and accommodation deals for Cairns holidays.
Cairns liveaboard boats remain out on the reef, while scuba divers are ferried by speedboat between the mothership and the city of Cairns. Normally the boat operator provides a transfer to the boat from the local airport or hotels (if you overnight beforehand). We will send you full departure details during the booking process.
We recommend you take out insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive quotation:

Places to Stay
If you plan on staying in Cairns before or after your Great Barrier Reef liveaboard diving trip, you can find a large range of accommodation options at hotelscombined.com, our affiliated hotel reservation specialists. Browse their website, use their on-line chat to ask questions, then simply use your credit card to make your booking:

All bookings carry a 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get top-dollar value for money.