Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

The recently announced $91.8 million funding boost in the Federal budget is funding critical work to support the resilience of the Reef, including $5 million for the Tourism Reef Protection Initiative, and $6.6 million to the Eye on the Reef program.

The funding will contribute to vital monitoring, stewardship and recovery activities across the Great Barrier Reef.

This is the critical decade for climate action 🌎

This World Environment Day, find out how your actions - no matter how small - can contribute to a better future for our Great Barrier Reef.

Check out the link in the comments below. 👇

They’re back! 🐋

One of our favourite seasonal visitors are back in Tropical North Queensland – the Dwarf Minke whales 💙

The is the only place in the world that you can swim with dwarf minke whales: an experience so exclusive it only happens for two months of the year, and only in Tropical North Queensland. Minkes often exhibit a great deal of curiosity around boats and divers, making them a popular visitor with the fortunate few who meet them in the wild. Want to experience this for yourself?

Before you jump in, there are strict regulations around whale watching, including swimming with whales in the Marine Park. The best way to experience minke whales is with a High Standard Tourism Operator – these are certified operators who offer the most ecologically sustainable and respectful encounters with these visitors to the World Heritage area 🩵

⚠️ Significant penalties apply for non-compliance with marine park regulations, including unsafe, flying drones too close or unlawful interactions with whales, and other protected species.

📹 IG/pablocogollos_photography

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.

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 214 reefs this financial year.

Of these reefs:

Crown-of-thorns starfish are at sustainable levels on 97 reefs (45%)
Active culling is underway on 69 reefs (32%) to suppress outbreaks
48 reefs (23%) 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.

Our response and ongoing work

The Reef Authority continues to work closely with the Reef Joint Field Management Program, the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program, Traditional Owners, land and sea rangers, tourism operators, researchers and contractors to ensure contemporary, science-based information is available across the World Heritage Area.

Management actions remain focused on supporting Reef resilience through targeted monitoring, compliance with the Marine Park zoning plan, protection of high-value reefs, and promoting responsible use of the Marine Park.

The collaborative approach between managers, scientists, Traditional Owners, tourism operators and industry partners continues to provide critical information that supports informed decision-making and effective Reef management.

Tiny turts, big future. Rescued by Raine Island experts (pls don’t handle hatchlings). 🐢

Queensland National Parks Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Threatened Species Commissioner Queensland Environment Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation

Each year, tens of thousands of humpback whales make their massive migration from the Antarctic waters to the mating and calving grounds of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Humpback whales can provide some of the most spectacular encounters in the Marine Park, which can often be tempting to get up-close to… but it’s important to remember - when you’re getting close to 40 tonnes of whale – size does matter!

When you’re out on the Reef, and with increased whale numbers about, it’s never been more important to brush up on your whale rules, and stay whale wise when you’re out on the water.

We all have a responsibility to help protect whales and dolphins and to keep safe distances from them.

Check out our website to see what you can and can’t do around whales throughout the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area – including specific rules in the Whitsundays Whale Heritage Area, visit our website.

The Great Barrier Reef isn't just corals, it's a stunning hub of biodiversity that supports a range of different lifeforms - some found nowhere else on earth.

This World Reef Day, we're celebrating the Reef as a whole, from the mangroves and seagrass meadows to the islands, cays and coral walls. Managing and protecting the Great Barrier Reef means protecting every habitat, its resilience and its beauty.

Like many coral reefs around the world, the Great Barrier Reef is facing pressures due to climate change. While global action is needed to limit the impacts of climate change, local actions matter. From reporting sightings or incidents to Eye on the Reef, to using energy efficient appliances at home, individual actions can make a difference.

Click the link in our comments to check out ways you can help.

📸 Master Reef Guides