Scientists and ocean lovers are looking to the skies ahead of a potentially devastating mass coral bleaching event forecast for the Great Barrier Reef.
Large-scale bleaching could start early March, when rising water temperatures, exacerbated by the El Nino weather event, are expected to hit their peak.
But Professor Terry Hughes, the director of Australian Research Council's centre of excellence for coral reef studies, says a number of weather conditions could determine whether the event occurs at all.
Monsoon rains or cyclones could cool ocean temperatures, while heatwaves would cause them to rise, he says.
"These (bleaching) forecasts, if they come out five or six months in advance, can be quite inaccurate," he told AAP.
"The jury is still out."
Great Barrier Reef Minister Steven Miles on Thursday sought to assure tourists of the health of the reef ahead of the expected peak temperatures.
He says 200 reef surveys, mostly in the state's far north, over the summer have so far found only minor damage.
"We're not out of the woods yet but I am crossing my fingers that we will not see any broad-scale bleaching," he said.
"Visitors can rest assured ... they can expect to see the Great Barrier Reef in all its glory."
A 1998 bleaching event eliminated about 16 per cent of the world's coral, and between 5 and 10 per cent of that on the Great Barrier Reef.
Dr Miles says conditions favourable to bleaching were likely to increase over coming years.
Prof Hughes urged Australian governments to do more to address climate change.
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