One of the original natural wonders of the world lies off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 3000 individual reef systems, more than 100 islands that are ideal for day trips, beautiful marine life forms, and picturesque coral habitat that extends approximately 1430 miles in the Coral Sea. The reef system is so surreal that images from space can capture the essence of just how expansive it truly is. The abundance of distinctive marine life, coral reefs, and secluded atolls has become a top-rated destination for those looking for adventure in the great open sea.
What is the best way to view the Great Barrier Reef ?
Adventure seekers come to The Great Barrier Reef to immerse themselves below the surface and come face to face with a magical world that many people have never experienced. Scuba diving is the perfect way to experience the coral reef system in Australia.
For first-timers or beginners, visiting the beautiful Great Barrier Reef and experiencing it firsthand can be overwhelming. However, the saying is “Go Big or Go Home” with the many dive schools around to get certified and the trained guides taking you out, if you were to begin getting addicted to the aquatic world, this would be the spot, or maybe it’s just a checkmark on your bucket list. Whatever the reasoning is for experiencing the reef, get ready to observe some of the most exquisite visuals you have ever seen under the sea!
Some of the best dive sites to experience while visiting the Great Barrier Reef
- Agincourt Ribbon Reef
- Hardy Reef
- Osprey Reef
For experienced divers, some of the best dive sites are on the Agincourt Ribbon Reef, located off the coast of Port Douglas in the Northern region of Queensland. Here diver enthusiasts have the option of 16 different dive sites and will come up close and personal to crystal clear waters, swim through caves, dive walls, and the diverse array of colorful reef fish and plant life. The unique aspect of the Agincourt Ribbon Reef system is the location being on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, providing a thriving eco-system of coral growth from the deep ocean waters. Exploring this beautiful area will bring memories that will last for a lifetime.
If diving with turtles, reef sharks, and barracudas is more up to your speed, be sure to dive the Hardy reef. Hardy has evolved into a popular destination for divers due to the variety of marine life and coral observed during their dives. The reef is perfect for all levels, whether you’re just a first-timer or have been exploring the seas for years.
Another excellent location for advanced divers is exploring the remote Osprey Reef. People can only explore Osprey by a liveaboard dive boat. What that entails is Osprey Reef is so remote that the only way to access it is by staying on a certified scuba dive vessel for longer than what a day trip can do. Usually, this is by staying on the boat for more than one night on the excursion. Outside of being remote and not heavily trafficked, the beauty of this reef immerses divers with the soft coral habitat and the opportunity to swim amongst the manta rays, turtles, tropical fish, and the healthy population of sharks. Osprey is claimed as the “ultimate reef diving adventure” by those who have taken on the challenge to visit this reef.
Attractions that are non-diving
Those looking for an adventure into the great unknown but are not ready to take the plunge into the deep ocean waters still have the option to explore the beauty of the atolls. Tourists can experience a variety of tours that range from planes and helicopter flyovers, swimming with dolphins, whale watching, boat cruises, snorkeling the beautiful coral reefs, sailing to exotic secluded atolls, and viewing the coral reefs from a glass-bottom boat.
When is the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef?
- May – October is considered the dry season and the best time to experience the true beauty of the reef. Due to the low rainfall, the visibility of the reef is perfect for those ready to explore the natural wonder of the world, which also makes this period a high peak season.
Overall Thoughts
The opportunities to discover the aquatic world are endless. Those ready to take on the challenge and dive to the depths of the world below have ample places to choose from that will surely leave adventurers speechless and prepared to take on again. On the other hand, there are plenty of attractions that the whole family can enjoy that are more on the mild to the moderate level that will offer families, couples, or even those traveling solo memories for a lifetime. Whatever your travel style is, be prepared to see one of the most captivating places in the world and discover why it is one of the world’s natural wonders.
