We are planning to stay in Palm Cove just a few miles north of Cairnes for one week and one week in Fiji in 2003. We love to snorkel and of course plan to see the rain forest, etc. What is the best season to do these activities? I've read that it can rain two hours staight during the wet season---Jan. and Feb., but those are also the warmest months which are nice for snorkeling. Are the waters still warm in months following the wet season? Please tell me the best time of year to go. Hope your listening!;-)

Anita: I'm not an Aussie, so I can't give you a definitive answer, but I have been to North Queensland a couple of times in July/August, which, of course, is their winter. The advantage was there were no box jellyfish, which I know are a problem in the summer months along the shoreline. On the other hand, on our trips to the reef, half wet suits were the order of the day, as the water was a liitle on the cool side, especially, if you were in for awhile. Water on shore was fine. This is also supposed to be their dry season, which didn't mean it didn't rain, just not every day. Air temps were usually in the 70's.

The very best weather in Cairns is July/August. We had three weeks there last July and had temperatures of about 27 degrees celsius every day - no rain at all.

Thank you Thor and Marg for your responses. You both agree that July and August are the best months. It's always best to hear from those whom have actually been there.----I didn't even think of the jelly fish. We ran into them off shore when down in the Florida cays one year. I prefer not to infringe on their world!---I love this website! Maybe I'll have more questions later. Anita

Hi Anita,<BR>I have been twice to Cairns and Daintree.<BR>First time in April second time in June(on different years).<BR>Both months were warm, with the difference that April had evening showers, and in june it was a bit cooler but still dry and the water was warm enough to go for a swim, or dive.<BR>So maybe this helps you too.<BR>Shain/eu/de/d&uuml;sseldorf

Thanks, Shain. Appreciate your input. Thor, you mentioned a wet suit when out on the reef. Could you advise which mm.thickness?---Someone else on this site is asking the same question, but they aren't getting much response yet. Thanks! Anita

Hi Anita<BR><BR>We were just in Palm Cove from 9-17 Jan this year, and the beach was "shut" the whole time due to two types of jellyfish/stingers. You were simply not allowed in the water.<BR><BR>However Palm Cove is gorgeous in an old-fashioned, laid-back way (we stayed at the Reef Retreat) and you can do all the watersports out on the reef with tour companies such as Quicksilver, they pick up at Palm Cove jetty.<BR><BR>The week we were there the weather changed and the rains were obviously coming - this affected our rainforest safari but it was still a wonderful experience.<BR><BR>When the sun shone it was incredibly hot and humid but it was often cloudy in the afternoon and it rained at night - this didn't spoil our holiday/honeymoon!<BR><BR>Bee<BR><BR><BR>

Stingers will be along the beach from Nov to about May. Some beaches have protected swimming enclosures. However, there are no stingers out on the Reef. The wet season (summer) can hamper visibility due to run-off. We snorkelled in late September and the water was fine (abt 25 degrees). At most, you could use a 2-3 mm springsuit.

Anita: I am not an expert on wet suits. The only time I have worn one was on the reef trips in Australia. Others on this thread have recommended 2-3mm, but if you take a trip with a reef tour company, they will have them on board for your use; ( no need to lug them all the way to Australia). Whatever thickness they had seemed adequate. If the wind is blowing on your trip, which it was both times for us, a good wind breaker jacket is also useful to have. Also, if the wind is blowing, and you take a traditional boat out to the reef, you may want to think about some anti nausea drugs that don't make you sleepy. We had quite a few people turning green on our trips. Please don't let this stop you, though. The Great Barrier Reef remains one of the seven great natural wonders of the world, and should not be missed.

The best time to go is every month with the exception of January and February. I prefer September/October or April/ May to July and August because the water is warmer and as a Queenslander I feel the cold even if the water is warm to everyone else. It never really gets cold there and if you are on the reef where the water is shallow it is warmed by the sun even in winter.

Thank you all for your comments! They were all soooo helpful! Maybe after vacationing there next year I will be able to reciprocate to newcomers with helpful hints.--We are so much looking forward to this vacation!

Hello Anita! I think your trip to Australia sounds wonderful. July would be a great month to go, especially around the 28th. The 28th is traditionally when Aussie parents take their daughters with them on their international endeavors. Especially if it's their birthday! You don't want to break with tradition now, do you? Have fun!

OK Melinda I'll bite - whats the 28th July?<BR>Liz<BR>

Hey new friends---especially Liz--Melinda is our daughter who is now "on her own" in L.A. and doing very well, but doesn't yet have the financial stability to afford big vacations. July 28th is her birthday!(O.K. everybody--Wish her "Happy Birthday!") Isn't she funny?! We may be asking another couple to join us for half of this trip, but we really aren't such bad parents. We took her with us to London and Paris and she and a friend are joining us in Puerto Vallarta this spring. --Can't blame her for trying though! ---O.K., I've been so happy with the comments from all of you from this posted note that I'm going to post a new note concerning resorts to stay atin Fiji. I'm limited to four using our Interval International exchange directory. Watch for my new note! Thanks to all!

Well if thats Melinda's birthday Anita then I am with her - you would not have to think of another present then would you :0)