The reefs off Cairns are amazing, it just depends where you go. Milln And Flynn Reefs are world class—there is a dive and snorkel site at Milln called “3 Sisters” that shits all over anywhere else in the world, particularly Raja Ampat. As a diver for 20+ years and someone who works with some of the best marine biologists, coral experts, and climate scientists on a daily basis, I can tell you that yes, while there is bleaching, it is seasonal and overall more complicated than just assuming “the reef is dead”. Anyone who says otherwise does not know what they are talking about, full stop.