Arlington Reef sits on the outer Great Barrier Reef, reached by boat from Cairns. The three sites here span a wide depth range, from shallow reef tops suitable for beginners through to walls dropping to forty metres. Visibility varies considerably, from around eight metres in poorer conditions to forty metres on good days, and currents can be variable and challenging even at the shallower sites. Divers encounter green sea turtles, grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and a mix of butterflyfish, parrotfish, and fusiliers across the reef and wall structures. The dry season, broadly May to October, generally brings the clearest conditions.
Monthly water temperature across Arlington Reef's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water is warmest from January through March and cools noticeably through the austral winter, reaching its coolest in August. Visibility and conditions are most reliable during the dry season, making the cooler winter months the preferred window for diving here.
2 operators
Water temperature around Arlington Reef ranges from about 24°C in August to 29°C in February, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 29°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Arlington Reef; in the coldest months (about 24°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 3 sites in Arlington Reef (3 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across Arlington Reef's dive sites, May, June, July, September and October are most often reported as the best months to visit.
2 more sites to explore
