My husband wants to dive the GBR for his 50th birthday in January, but I'm concerned that isn't the best time to visit. When is the perfect time weather wise.

April to October are the best months butI am going up there in a couple of weeks because I just love to get under the water there.
January can be ok but there is a risk of rain depressions and cyclones although there has not been many of the latter for years now.
Depending on where you are from i.e. the cost of getting there would really depend on whether you came in January or not.
Usually the winters are dry and pleasantly warm to hot but the summer i.e. mid January can be a bit "hows your father"!

Janese we will be traveling from the western United States. Is a particular month cheaper?

I would love to hear any information you have about dive sites, etc. Just beginning the planning - can use any information I can get.

Thanks!

Barbara: Right now - Northerly breeze at 10-15knots - perfect visibility on reef. Seriously, just about any month but (I'll probably be shot for saying this) - NOT July or August. Too windy. It's a long way to come to be seasick! Why don't you try a liveaboard which moves around to various reefs and locations - www.prodive-cairns.com.au are excellent. There is a chance of cyclone in January but generally it's excellent for snorkelling and diving - there's not much likelihood of special accommodation rates as it's time of year when majority of Australians take summer holidays. Have fun

I have just got 7 nights in PD in a 1 bdrm self-contained unit for $112 p/n Au
for November 5th onward. There are always specials if you check out www.wotif.com.au. I don't know this particular resort accommodation (Freestyle Resort Port Douglas) but it looked just what I wanted and they are giving us the quiet Apt with its own garden. It is right near the beach and within walking distance to 'town' - most everything is though. I also organized my trip to be over the weekend as I love the local markets.
There are some fantastic small boats which take about 25 people and who do 3 day/night cruises from Cairns either up to and around Lizard Island or down to Townsville and these boats call into the coral cays for diving and the reef spots. I had some friends do this and they had a ball. I think the diving is probably better off Port Douglas than Cairns but things may have changed since I was last there and as places get popular what is best one year may not be so the next.
Having said that, the reef is 2,500 klms long and so I am sure that there are some great places. I will check it out for you though and report back when I get home. This is for some R&R for me and so the more I have my face under the water the happier I will be!

Pat - Pro Dive looks great. Their links aren't working right though. We have never done a liveaboard. I would like to try it, although my husband has to wear a patch to avoid seasickness, so I'm not sure how he'd do.

Janese - I look forward to your trip report.

Will there be less crowds, great weather in April or May?

November through to March is the low season - then it starts to get busy.