Reef health update | 5 February 2026

Sea surface temperatures remain stable across the Marine Park and are only slightly above average for this time of year.

Above-average rainfall fell across all Marine Park catchments in January, with the most rain falling in the Cape York region. Water quality monitoring is ongoing to understand how these conditions may affect nearby reefs.

Summer is also a busy time for Reef wildlife. From late January through April, thousands of baby turtles are hatching and making their way to the Marine Park, with many nesting beaches and islands seeing regular activity, especially at dawn and dusk. Seabird breeding is also underway, with many species nesting on islands and feeding across the Reef during February.

Temperature

In the Far Northern region, temp ...