As a natural phenomenon, the Great Barrier Reef ranks among the best in the world. The Great Barrier Reef has countless species of flora, fauna, and marine life, as well as nearly 3000 individual reefs and 880 islands. Visiting the Great Barrier Reef isn’t complete without getting wet with the fish and taking in the vibrant coral. Scuba diving on the outer reef, day trips to nearby islands, scenic flights, and rainforest tours are all popular activities for reef visitors.
Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas, Cape York, Cooktown, and Palm Cove are well-known vacation spots along the 3000 kilometers of coast that make up the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Not only do many Australians visit the Great Barrier Reef every year, but it also attracts thousands of tourists worldwide because of its extraordinary natural beauty.
Activities on the Great Barrier Reef
One of the adventurous things to do is snorkeling, especially at the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When visiting a tropical reef, the only way to truly appreciate the vibrant coral and dazzling marine life is to get your head wet and explore the depths.
However, it can be intimidating to try snorkeling for the first time. It’s a simple skill to pick up, which is excellent news. Follow these guidelines if you’re a first-time snorkeler and want to see the Great Barrier Reef. Every scuba diver and snorkeler should make a pilgrimage to the Great Barrier Reef at least once in their lives. It is a natural wonder that has been rapidly deteriorating due to coral bleaching and global warming, even though the site is home to more than 400 species of coral and 1,500 species of fish.
Dive enthusiasts of all levels can’t pass up the chance to get closer and closer to the reef. It’s understandable to want to explore more profound than you can with a snorkel, given that the marine life here is among the best in the world. First-time divers can feel safe in the reef’s shallower protected areas, while more experienced divers can explore the reef’s outer depths. Traveling to these locations is typically done so by boat. There will always be a diving trip that leaves that day, no matter where you’re staying. You can find an expedition that fits your schedule because many ports have multiple departures per day. When people go scuba diving for the first time, they always go with certified instructors. Following your guide’s lead, you’ll be able to see the most impressive parts of the reef. Scuba divers with certification may be invited to join expeditions exploring distant or submerged locations.
What exactly is sea walking? The Great Barrier Reef can now be observed through an innovative activity known as sea walking. Experience depths comparable to those of divers despite having the swimming skills of a snorkeler. Participants, who wear helmets explicitly designed for the activity, are submerged in water until they reach the seafloor, at which point they walk and breathe in the same manner as they would on land. Non-swimmers have an excellent opportunity to get in the water and get a close-up view of the reef through the activity known as sea walking.
For boating enthusiasts, the Great Barrier Reef is a popular destination. The waters are crystal clear and turquoise, and there is a wide variety of marine life to observe. These conditions make for the perfect day on the water. There are several locations where you can dock your boat and go snorkeling or diving in the reef. Swimming holes with clear water, stunning coral gardens, and deserted beaches can all be found here. Bring sunscreen, snacks, and drinks with you, and spend the day on the water in paradise!
Wear the correct equipment and make sure it fits
Snorkelling mask
Go swimming once you’ve tried out your mask. Make sure it seals appropriately by holding it up to your face without the strap and breathing in through your nose.
Before using a mask for the first time, ensure the protective film on the inside has been removed. The best way to clear the glass and see Nemo’s world without any streaks or smears is to use a pea-sized blob of toothpaste and rub it in from both sides. Use an anti-fog spray on your snorkel mask before entering the water (spitting in your mask also works). All it takes is a quick rinse, and it’ll be ready to use again.
Wetsuit or stinger suit
You want a tight wetsuit, so pay attention to the sizing charts. Wear a wetsuit to keep from getting too cold while swimming in cooler water, which acts as a thermal barrier between your body and the water. Even in the winter, the water temperature can drop to 23 degrees Celsius. During the warmer months, snorkelers at the Great Barrier Reef should wear stinger suits instead of wetsuits for protection. Between November and March, when tiny jellyfish may be present, it’s best to stay out of the water or wear a protective suit.
Flotation device
Snorkeling is a relaxing and straightforward activity when done with the aid of a flotation device. If unsure of your swimming abilities, you should request a buoyancy vest or a noodle (a brightly colored floating device). You won’t have to worry about getting into trouble, and you’ll have more time to relax.
Tips To Enjoy Great Barrier Reef
Seasickness
If you get seasick quickly, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for a prescription for motion sickness medicine and start taking it the night before your Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Sit up straight and keep your gaze fixed on the horizon if you feel the first signs of seasickness coming on. Tell a crew member if you feel ill and want ice to chew on a sick bag and some ginger tablets.
This reef trip from Cairns and this reef trip from Port Douglas are two highly recommended tours of the Great Barrier Reef. Both feature boats equipped with stabilization systems to minimize the effects of seasickness on your vacation.
Glass Bottom Boats – Semi Submersible Submarine Tours
If you’re on the platform, you can ride around the reef in a semi-submersible submarine or a glass-bottom boat. Doing so will give you a bird’s-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef’s corals and the countless fish species and other marine life that call it home.
Scenic Helicopter Flights
It’s also possible to take a scenic helicopter ride and get a bird’s-eye view of the reef above the water. The flights can be booked from Cairns or Port Douglas and take about an hour to reach the outer Barrier Reef platform, or they can be taken from the pontoon itself and take about ten to fifteen minutes. Since only six or seven seats are available on each Cairns or Port Douglas scenic helicopter flight, advance booking is strongly recommended.
Underwater Observatory
Each platform that makes up the Great Barrier Reef is equipped with its own underwater observatory, in which visitors are welcome to take a seat or stand to observe the various activities below the water. You could even have your family and friends dive down to the glass window in front of you so that you can take a picture of everyone together. The fish feeding and marine biology presentation every afternoon is another fantastic option for guests who do not swim.
Children’s Swimming Enclosure
If you have young children, the platforms or pontoons have secure swimming enclosures where children can paddle around while being supervised by an adult. Please be aware that no babysitting services are available while you are visiting the Great Barrier Reef; you are solely responsible for caring for your children.
What to see in the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef has over three thousand individual reefs, each supporting its unique ecosystem and fauna. Sharks, fish, and a plethora of corals of unremarkable beauty call the reef home. The reef serves as a rest stop and supply depot for marine life all over the ocean. Because of this, scuba divers have a unique opportunity to see marine life that most people will never see.
Charter boats, range rover tours, helicopter tours, bare boats, whale watching, swimming with the dolphins, and glass-bottom boats are just a few of the marine operators available to visitors of the reef.
Seeing the reef in person is enhanced by these factors. If you ever find yourself in Australia, you should spend time exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the incredible marine life below the surface.
While people are working to keep the reef alive and healthy, there is no assurance that it will be around for your children or grandchildren to see. Learn from your own experiences and enjoy the ocean at the Great Barrier Reef.
Islands Surrounding the Great Barrier Reef
Daydream Island
It is a luxury resort island found in the Whitsundays, a tropical region in the Australian state of Queensland. The island can be located in the Coral Sea and is encircled by 74 other islands. It is famous for having beaches with white sand, clear waters, and abundant vegetation.
Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is a part of the Whitsunday Islands that is widely considered among the best vacation spots in the state. The island in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef has some of Australia’s most stunning natural features, including crystal-clear water and unspoiled beaches. In addition, Hamilton Island is home to several opulent resorts, one of which is the illustrious Qualia Resort.
Fitzroy Island
The Great Barrier Reef includes many islands, including Fitzroy Island. They have situated some 48 km from Cairns on the mainland. The island’s gorgeous shores and healthy reefs make it a popular vacation spot. There is no need to visit one of the islands in the Great Barrier Reef to appreciate the natural beauty of the reef, as Fitzroy Island got a wide variety of plant and animal life. On the mainland, there are many lookout points to photograph or take in the spectacular scenery.
Lady Musgrave Island
It is located in the south of the Great Barrier Reef. About 500 meters wide and 1 kilometer long, the island is relatively small. The highest point is just 6 meters above sea level. Beautiful coral reefs teaming with marine life surround the island. Dolphins, turtles, and various tropical fish can frequently be spotted swimming near the island.
Whitsunday Island
Whitsunday Island is one of the many islands that can be found within the Great Barrier Reef. Airlie Beach is a stunning location and among the best places on the island to unwind and relax. It is a well-known vacation spot and is regarded as having some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling opportunities. The Whitsunday Islands are also home to several resorts and high-end hotels in their respective categories.