Discover The Great Barrier Reef And Its Surroundings

Discover the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coastline. Snorkel, scuba dive or take a picturesque flight over the world’s largest coral reef. Sail the palm-topped Whitsundays or just relax on luxurious islands such as Hayman and Lizard.

Snorkeling: Magnetic Island

Just a 25-minute ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island is one of the many good spots from which you can access the Great Barrier Reef. Once there, hire a mask and snorkel to explore the island’s colourful reef. If you need help or have any questions, there are plenty of tourism operators more than happy to help you experience this underwater world.

Snorkeling: Daydream Island

Daydream Island offers the opportunity to hand-feed stingrays at its man-made Living Reef. In addition to that, there will be experienced marine biologists, who will give more information about these amazing creatures, as well as show you local coral and how to handle starfish and sea cucumbers. The 2,650 square-metre Living Reef at Daydream’s island is home to more than 140 species of marine fish and 83 species of coral.

Skydiving: Whitsunday Islands

You will experience the greatest reef thrill, if you have the guts to skydive into the most picturesque drop zone in the world around Whitsunday Islands. You’ll take home lifelong memories when you see the Great Barrier Reef from this breathtaking perspective. The experienced tandem instructors will handle the parachute, so all you have to do is enjoy the incredible view.

Snorkeling: Heron Island

Heron Island allows you either to snorkel right off the beach or to scuba-dive 20 sites just a few minutes away from the beach by boat. As the island is very small, walking around it only takes you about 20 minutes. Turtles lay and hatch at the island between November and March and both events are amazing to watch.

Flying: Heart Reef

Create a romantic surprise for a loved one by flying over the natural wonder that is Heart Reef. This picturesque flight is just one of many other tours offered by Air Whitsunday and GSL Aviation. Another tour leads you for example over the white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, which is also a great opportunity to see the amazing beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

Sailing: Paradise Reef

Visit Paradise Reef on board a 25-metre catamaran, which sails daily from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay and the exclusive Paradise Reef. You can dive and snorkel the Reef among the turtles and colourful fish, or just lie on the deck and enjoy the sun. Another great experience is the glass-bottom boat tour at Michaelmas Cay.

Find out more about things to do at the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland.

Pictures by USFWS https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/, Wicker Paradise https://www.flickr.com/photos/wicker-furniture/ and fugm10 https://www.flickr.com/photos/fugm10/.