Reef health update | June 2026

While heat stress has eased across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from summer, sea surface temperatures remain slightly above average in some regions for this time of year.

Climate conditions remain neutral; however, there are increasing signs that an El Niño may develop later this year, bringing drier conditions to northern Queensland in the months ahead.

As winter settles across the Reef, seasonal wildlife sightings are increasing. The annual humpback whale migration is now underway, with thousands of whales expected to travel through the Marine Park on their journey from Antarctic feeding grounds to breeding and calving areas in tropical waters. Dwarf minke whales are also beginning to arrive in northern Reef waters, while manta ray sightings have increased during these cooler months.

The return of these iconic species is one of the Reef's great natural spectacles and a reminder of the importance of protecting marine habitats. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy wildlife encounters responsibly by giving animals space to behave naturally and safely.

Temperature

Sea surface temperatures in the Far Northern and Northern regions remain approximately 0.5–0.8°C above long-term monthly averages. Temperatures in the Central and Southern regions are closer to average, sitting around 0.2°C above normal.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts sea surface temperatures to remain above average through winter and into August.

Climate forecasts suggest an El Niño may develop later this year, which can increase the likelihood of warmer and drier conditions across northern Queensland. However, other climate factors, such as conditions in the Indian Ocean and tropical weather systems that influence rainfall and cloud cover, also affect local weather, so conditions may vary across the Reef catchment.  

Rainfall

The Indian Ocean Dipole, which can influence regional rainfall patterns is currently neutral and forecasts remain uncertain.

Should both El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole develop during winter and spring, northern Queensland could experience drier-than-average conditions over the coming months.

Reef health

Over the past month, 521 Reef Health Impact Surveys were conducted across 43 reefs;

• In the Far Northern region, one reef was surveyed, recording no coral bleaching and low levels of coral damage.
• In the Northern region, 24 reefs were surveyed. Coral bleaching was recorded on 18 reefs, ranging from low (1–10%) to moderate (11–30%) prevalence. Coral damage was recorded on 20 reefs.
• In the Central region, 8 reefs were surveyed. Three reefs recorded low levels of coral bleaching and 7 reefs recorded low coral damage.
• In the Southern region, 10 reefs were surveyed. Eight reefs recorded low to moderate coral bleaching prevalence and four reefs recorded low coral damage.

Coral disease was recorded on 20 reefs across the Marine Park during the reporting period.

Additional Eye on the Reef monitoring programs reported coral bleaching on 29 of 41 reefs surveyed during May.

The coral bleaching observed across the Marine Park is likely associated with prolonged heat exposure experienced during summer, while much of the coral damage recorded in the Far Northern and Northern regions is consistent with impacts from Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

Reef health update | 07 May 2026

Sea surface temperatures continued to ease across the Marine Park this week.

Queensland’s wet season has also come to an end, ranking as the 9th wettest on record since 1900, with most Marine Park catchments receiving above-average rainfall.

Climate conditions remain neutral, however, sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) are warming. Current Bureau of Meteorology outlooks indicate a possible El Niño developing by late winter, which could bring drier conditions to Northern Queensland in the months ahead.

Temperature

Sea surface temperatures declined slightly, dropping by 0.3–0.6°C across the Marine Park.

Over the coming month, temperatures are expected to sit close to average, although some offshore reefs in the Far Northern and Northern regions may remain slightly above average (up to 0.8°C).

Rainfall

With the start of the dry season, rainfall was below average across most catchments, with totals generally below 25mm. The Wet Tropics was the exception, receiving up to 150mm.

Looking ahead, forecasts suggest a low chance of above-average rainfall across the Marine Park during May.

Reef health

Over the past week, 49 Reef Health Impact Surveys were conducted across six reefs.

In the Northern region, five reefs were surveyed, with low to moderate coral bleaching recorded and low to moderate coral damage observed across all sites.

In the Central region, one reef was surveyed with no bleaching and low coral damage.

Coral disease was recorded on three reefs during this period.

Additional Eye on the Reef monitoring reported coral bleaching on 11 of 14 reefs surveyed across the Marine Park.

Crown-of-thorns starfish control

As of 30 April 2026, the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Control Program and Reef Joint Field Management Program response teams have surveyed and, where needed, culled starfish on 204 reefs this financial year.

Of these reefs:

• Crown-of-thorns starfish are at sustainable levels on 91 reefs (45%)
• Active culling is underway on 67 reefs (33%) to suppress outbreaks
• 47 reefs (25%) have COTS present and will be targeted based on priority and operational conditions

The program uses a science-based prioritisation process to focus effort on reefs with high ecological and economic value, with the aim of maximising coral protection.

Reef health update | 30 April 2026

Sea surface temperatures continue to ease across the Marine Park, and with the changing of seasons we are seeing the last of the turtle hatchlings and seabird nesting, as humpback and Minke whales begin arriving in the Reef’s breeding grounds.

Queensland’s wet season is also coming to an end, with rainfall over the summer months among the highest levels recorded since 1900.

Temperature

Sea surface temperatures declined slightly, dropping by 0.3–0.5°C across the Marine Park, temperatures remain 0.4–0.5°C above the long-term April average.

Rainfall

Weekly rainfall totals were below average across most Marine Park catchments, with less than 50mm recorded.

Reef health

Over the past week, 43 Reef Health Impact Surveys were conducted across six reefs.

In the Northern region, four reefs were surveyed. Two recorded low coral bleaching, and three showed low to moderate coral damage. Higher bleaching levels in the Northern region are likely linked to prolonged heat exposure over summer combined with earlier flood plume impacts. Coral damage in the Far Northern and Northern regions is likely the result of storm impacts from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

In the Central region, one reef was surveyed with no coral bleaching or damage recorded.

In the Southern region, one reef was surveyed with no coral bleaching or damage recorded.

No coral disease was observed over the past week.

Additional Eye on the Reef observations from across the Marine Park reported coral bleaching on 16 of 20 reefs surveyed.

Crown-of-thorns starfish control

The Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program continues to manage ongoing outbreaks across the Marine Park, with updates shared in the first weekly Reef Health Update of each month.