image© Theresa Graham for Master Reef Guides
A chance to see coral spawn the morning after
Coral spawning happens at night, a few nights after the full moon, while our boats are back in Cairns. The next day you may have the chance to see the spawn floating on the surface around Moore Reef. How and where it gathers depends completely on the wind and currents.
Book 1 of these 4 days
- Sat31Saturday 31 OctoberAfter the predicted spawning night of 30 Oct
- Sun1Sunday 1 NovemberAfter the predicted spawning night of 31 Oct
- Sun29Sunday 29 NovemberAfter the predicted spawning night of 28 Nov
- Mon30Monday 30 NovemberAfter the predicted spawning night of 29 Nov
Spawning happens at night. Seeing spawn on the surface the next day is a chance, not a promise: it depends on the wind and currents.
One of the reef’s great events, a few nights after the full moon
Each year, corals across the Great Barrier Reef release billions of eggs and sperm into the water on the same few nights.
The full moons are on 26 October and 25 November 2026. Based on the moon and the tides, our team predicts spawning near Cairns on the nights of 30 and 31 October, and 28, 29 and 30 November.
Guests can’t stay overnight on our pontoon, so we take you out the next morning. Overnight tides are small, so the spawn can stay together on the surface. Where it ends up depends on the wind and currents: some days it gathers in slicks right beside the pontoon, other days it has drifted away from the reef.
Quick Answer
Coral spawning happens at night and is predicted near Cairns for 30–31 October and 28–30 November 2026. Book a Moore Reef day on 31 Oct, 1 Nov, 29 Nov or 30 Nov for a chance to see spawn on the surface. Wind and currents decide if and where it gathers.
image© Stuart Ireland, Reef Today4 chances to see the spawn on the surface
Moore Reef day trip: $317 adult · $177 child (4–15) · infants 0–3 travel free. Choose your date when you book.
The day after a spawning night at the Sunlover pontoon, Moore Reef, 9 November 2025. The wind and currents had gathered the spawn right beside the pontoon. Drone images© Theresa Graham for Master Reef Guides
Get sky high and see it all from above
If the spawn has gathered on the surface, the air is the best place to see it. Add a ZOOM Helicopters flight to your spawning day.
Prices include your full Moore Reef day. Scuba diving too? Allow 18 hours between your last dive and any flight, so choose Fly out, cruise back, or call us on 1800 810 512. All helicopter flights
Nature sets the timetable
Coral spawning happens at night. During the day you may have the chance to see the spawn on the surface, but we can’t promise it.
- Coral can spawn on a different night, or split its spawning across October and November.
- Wind and currents decide completely how and where the spawn gathers on the surface. They can bring it right past the pontoon, or carry it away from the reef.
- Whatever the spawn does, you still get a full day on the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Coral spawning at the Moore Reef pontoon, November 2025. Video© Stuart Ireland, Calypso Reef Imagery
Coral spawning questions
When is coral spawning in 2026 near Cairns?
Our team predicts coral spawning near Cairns on the nights of 30 and 31 October 2026, and 28, 29 and 30 November 2026. Spawning happens at night, a few nights after the full moon. The full moons are on 26 October and 25 November 2026.
Can I see coral spawning with Sunlover?
Coral spawning happens at night, and guests can’t stay overnight on our pontoon. The next day you may have the chance to see the spawn on the surface around Moore Reef, depending on the wind and currents. Our morning-after reef days are Saturday 31 October, Sunday 1 November, Sunday 29 November and Monday 30 November 2026.
Is seeing coral spawn guaranteed?
No. Coral spawning happens at night, and the dates are predictions. Wind and currents decide completely how and where the spawn gathers on the surface the next day: it may be beside the pontoon, further out, or gone. These 4 days give you the best chance we know of, and you still get a full day on the outer reef.
What does coral spawn look like on the surface?
When the wind and currents gather it, coral spawn floats as pink, cream and orange slicks and ribbons on the surface.
Can I see the spawn from a helicopter?
You may, if the spawn has gathered on the surface during your flight. That depends on the wind and currents. ZOOM Helicopters fly a 10-minute scenic flight from our Moore Reef pontoon, or you can fly one way between Cairns and the reef. Moore Reef + 10-minute scenic flight is $527 per adult, including the reef day. Fly out, cruise back or cruise out, fly back is $724 per adult.
How much is the Moore Reef day trip?
A Moore Reef day trip is $317 per adult and $177 per child aged 4 to 15. Infants 0 to 3 travel free.
Can I scuba dive on a spawning morning?
Yes. You can snorkel or add a scuba dive as on any Moore Reef day. If you also want a helicopter flight, allow 18 hours between your last dive and any flight, so choose Fly out, cruise back.
Book your morning-after reef day
Saturday 31 October, Sunday 1 November, Sunday 29 November or Monday 30 November.