Great Barrier Reef

Scuba diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Australia topped the list when early 2004 a survey was held in the U.K. asking people about the 50 things to do before you die.

SEE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF FROM:
Cairns - Port Douglas - Airlie Beach/Whitsundays - Cape Tribulation - Bedarra Island - Brampton Island - Daydream Island - Hayman Island - Hamilton Island - Lizard Island - Long Island - South Molle Island

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living coral system in the world, stretching over 2000km. along Queensland's coast from Bundaberg through Cairns to the top of Cape York, it contains 2900 reefs, 600 islands and 300 coral cayes. This amazing place is home to 1500 species of fish, 360 species of hard coral, 30% of the world's soft corals, 7000 species of molluscs, 17 species of sea snakes, 6 species of endangered sea turtles, 1330 species of crustacea, 30 species of cetacea (whales and dolphins), and 14,000 of Australia's 90,000 dugongs.

Photograph from Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

The Great Barrier Reef is the site of the biggest orgasm in the universe. This is one of the terms the North Queensland scuba dive industry uses to describe the annual coral spawning where three to five nights after the full moon in November or December when the water temperature hits 28 degrees, the entire 2300 kms of Great Barrier Reef lets go of zillions and zillions of brightly colored sperm and eggs that float around for several days and fertilize eachother. Fish go into a feeding frenzy and the ocean sometimes resembles an oiltanker disaster site but all this is done to propagate new corals to ensure the survival of the Great Barrier Reef. If you find yourself in North Queensland around this time you can witness this spectacular event as many of the reef tour operators run extra night trips.
The Great Barrier Reef was the first Australian site to be placed on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1981, now there are 15 Australian sites. The coral on the reef is estimated to be around 18 million years old, and is thought to be about 500 metres thick in some places. Coral is made by tiny little polyps, which are marine animals from the Cindaria family. When the polyps die, their skeletons turn white (which is how you know if coral is alive or dead) and then more polyps grow on top of them.
It is extremely important you do not touch the coral or stand on it, the pressure of your finger is enough to squash and kill the tiny coral polyps!
There are a few conditions that are required for healthy growth of coral. The water must be salty, clear and not lower in temperature than 17.5 degrees and lower in depth than 30 metres. An amazing sight is seeing the spawning of the coral, which happens in late spring/early summer and is often called an 'underwater snowstorm'.

Some of the best places to see the reef from are Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach/Whitsundays and especially Cape Tribulation where the reef comes closest to the coast.

Below we have a great selection of tours and accommodation on the Great Barrier Reef.

The First-Time Visitor's Guide To Seeing The Great Barrier Reef

Australia is a gorgeous, breathtaking country, particularly in certain regions. From wild, untamed coastlines to stunning cities - there's a lot to see and do on a trip to Australia. You can explore subtropical rainforests, surf beaches, dry deserts, grasslands, lakes, rivers, mountain peaks and more. There is an incredible diversity in plant life, fauna and stunning natural environments.

The sunburnt country is also home to one of the world's seven natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. If you plan a trip to Australia, you should include this location on your itinerary. But the massive reef spans a large section of Australia's northeastern coastline. You might be at a loss as to where to start exploring the reef. Lucky for you, this helpful article will share everything a first-time visitor to the Great Barrier Reef should know. Read on to discover more.

Stay on Hamilton Island

Part of an island chain called the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island is one of the largest of 74 islands. This is the place to be if you want to chill out with a cocktail and go for a leisurely swim. Plenty of family-friendly accommodation options are available, so you can enjoy some relaxing quality time with the family.

Hamilton Island and its surrounding azure waters is also the perfect destination for those looking to do a little summertime sailing or snorkelling. You can hire a kayak for a paddle close to shore, charter a glass bottom boat, or take a snorkelling trip out to the reef. You'll see wonders lurking just below the surface of the clear, glassy water. There are a range of catamarans available in and around the Hamilton Island and the wider Great Barrier Reef that will definitely help you make the most of your time out on the Coral Sea.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer array of accommodation options available to you during your stay in the Whitsundays, then we highly recommend that you check out the Reef View Hotel. This beachside stay also happens to be the perfect place to grab a beer or a chilled glass of wine, a gourmet meal, or to simply relax after a long day of sailing, snorkelling, swimming, and general exploring of all that Hamilton Island has to offer.

Visit the Museum of Underwater Art

For those seeking adventure that’s a little bit different or out of the ordinary, then you simply cannot miss the opportunity to visit the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). This truly unique location can be found just off the coast of Townsville in northern Queensland. It is the only underwater art museum in the Southern Hemisphere, and was developed originally to share the stories of the Great Barrier Reef, both from contemporary history as well as through the lens of Indigenous Australian storytelling. In short, MOUA hopes to inspire visitors to become passionate about reef conservation and want to protect this natural wonder. 

The museum has several installations that are well worth checking out, including Ocean Siren, a female figure's statue that was first launched in 2019. The second artwork launched in 2020 is called Coral Greenhouse and is installed on the ocean floor, 18 metres below sea level. The best way to see this installation is to tour the site, and dive deep down to the ocean floor. MOUA staff will be able to guide you in this watery gallery viewing!

Visit Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is a picturesque location, a twenty-minute ferry ride from Townsville. It has a rocky landscape home to all sorts of local wildlife. The island is filled with lush woodlands and huge granite boulders. This distinguishes it from the typical tropical rainforest that covers the other Great Barrier Reef islands.

You'll find superb off-shore snorkelling at the Geoffrey Bay snorkel trail. The kids will love visiting the Bungalow Bay Koala village or taking a leisurely horse ride along the beach.

Consider Booking a Diving Tour

Plenty of local companies along the coast of the Great Barrier Reef offer bespoke tour experiences that will take you out to particular locations on the reef and provide snorkelling or scuba diving equipment. Snorkelling is an excellent idea for inexperienced divers, as you can paddle out from the boat as far as you are comfortable.

If you're keen on scuba diving, you'll need some lessons first, as there are some risks to scuba diving that you need to be aware of and processes to follow to ensure a safe dive. However, scuba diving is the best way to explore this incredible natural wonder, allowing you to dive to a depth where you can truly experience the reef's glory.

Remember that the Great Barrier Reef is home to some stunning, gorgeous and mighty sea life, including whales (humpbacks and minke), manta rays, turtles, potato cod, giant clams, sharks, clownfish and Maori wrasse. You'll find most of these critters on the reef all year round, and you'll likely see one when snorkelling or diving on the reef. 

In addition to these magnificent sea creatures, you'll see many colourful corals, thousands of smaller fish, and sea anemones. In short, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef would be incomplete without a dive or a sailing adventure, at the very least.

This helpful article has shared the first-time visitor's guide to seeing the Great Barrier Reef. Follow this guide for an enjoyable holiday to this lush, breathtaking tropical wonderland nestled in Australia's sunny northeastern coast. There is lots more to explore in this part of the world, so try to explore some more locations and sights while you're visiting. 

Daycruises from Cairns

MV Supercat
© Down Under Dive

The Supercat : If you are looking for a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef on a high speed catamaran that is EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, look no further. Offering one of the fastest day trips, visiting two outer reef locations for an unforgettable day of fun, discovery and adventure. The MV Supercat provides a superior and comfortable ride in almost all weather conditions. More info...

Green Island
© Big Cat Green Island Cruises

The Big Cat : Green Island is a beautiful coral cay which enjoys world acclaim as a tropical paradise on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The island is a protected Marine National Park, readily identified by its emerald rainforest surrounded by white sandy beaches and magnificent coral reefs. The marine life includes endless varieties of colorful fish, turtles, giant clams, shells, starfish, sea anemones and much more. More info...

Wavedancer
© Quicksilver

Wavedancer : Quicksilver's 30 meter luxury sailing catamaran, 'Wavedancer', offers the excitement of big ship sailing combined with the ultimate in comfort. Let the crew pamper you in the luxurious air-conditioned lounge with its fully licensed bar, or soak up the sun and sea air under the sails on our expansive deck. 'Wavedancer' is a memorable experience from the moment you step aboard. They will take you to Low Isles ehich is situated 15 kilometers north-east of Port Douglas. Low Isles is a 4 acre coral cay surrounded by 55 acres of reef. The corals are very close to the island, which makes snorkeling an enjoyable experience. The two small islands are separate with one common reef. The larger of the two, Woody Island, is uninhabited except for a large bird population. The smaller of the Low Isles is a coral cay with a lighthouse that has been operating since 1878. More info....

© Ocean Spirit Cruises

Ocean Spirit Upolu Cay Reef Cruise : Set sail aboard a luxury catamaran with Ocean Spirit Cruises for Upolu Cay, an uninhabited coral cay lying about 18 nautical miles from Cairns, an ideal reef destination for a range of different age groups. The surrounding coral gardens play host to a myriad of marine life. Dugongs are often seen raising their calves throughout the year in the protected waters around the cay. You also have the opportunity to visit either Arlington Reef or Oyster Reef as you sail out to beautiful Upolu Cay, both of which are teeming with marine life and offer some of the best coral viewing on the Great Barrier Reef. For those interested in exploring the coral reef by diving on their day out to the Great Barrier Reef, Ocean Spirit also offers introductory dives for the novice and certified dives for experienced divers. More info....

Maori Wrasse
© Deep Sea Divers Den

SeaQuest ADV - Certified Diver Day Trip : SeaQuest ADV caters superbly for certified divers. With 14 permanent moorings, Deep Sea Divers Den offer superb diving sites on the Outer Barrier Reef which will excite divers of all experience levels. Dive guides are available for those wanting close underwater supervision and certified divers can explore two dive locations in one day. The dive locations on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef offer outstanding underwater visibility, superb coral formations and abundant, colorful marine life including 'Wally', a friendly 1.5 meter (5 feet) Maori Wrasse at Norman Reef. More info....

While cruising on your boat to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s always best to take the utmost precautions for safety. We recommend you learn about all of the boating and yacht safety regulations before heading out for diving or snorkeling at the reef.

Overnight/liveaboard dive trips from Cairns

Diving
© Quicksilver

Cod hole - Two days/two nights. Day One - is making our way North along the Agincourt and Ribbon Reef systems. Enjoy 3 day dives and a night dive. The night dive you choose may be included as part of the optional advanced diving course.
Day Two - Thursdays include diving at the famous Cod Hole and the Northern Ribbons, as well as another night dive. Awake to breakfast on Friday morning moored in the calm waters of Snapper Island. It is then a short journey back to the Marina at Port Douglas. Enjoy a minimum of 8 dives, including 2 night dives during your Cod Hole Diving Adventure. Snorkelers are welcome to join and have the opportunity to enjoy a FREE Introductory dive. More info....

Helicopter scenic flights from Cairns

Scenic flights over Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

You can combine a helicopter flight and a reef cruise by flying out to the Great Barrier Reef, landing at Hastings reef, and then after some snorkeling head back to Cairns on the boat. More info...

Click here for more information and accommodation in Cairns....

Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation is where the reef comes closest to the coast, and it will only take you an hour or less to get out there on one of the boats that depart from here. James Cook discovered here in 1770 how close the reef came to the coast when he hit Endeavour Reef with his ship and nearly sank, in his not too positive mood he then assigned the name Cape Tribulation to the last cape he had passed before darkness fell. ( Tribulation = trouble). More info on Great Barrier Reef trips from Cape Tribulation....

Reeftrips from Port Douglas

Click here for more information and accommodation in Port Douglas....

Cruises from Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands

Click here for more information and accommodation in Airlie Beach / Whitsundays

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of the User Agreement for this website
Contact us | Advertise on this site | Link to this site |Add your photos or stories to this site | Webmasters | Affiliates