Marvels of the Deep: Diving into the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, located on the eastern coastline of Australia, is undoubtedly one of the best natural wonders in the world. Stretching to almost 2,300 km, this massive reef is considered a UNESCO World Heritage. Not only you can expect to see such bountiful marine life but you also get to relax and have a peaceful time there.
Top Things To Do While At The Great Barrier Reef
You must see the Great Barrier Reef at least once in your life if you are fit for traveling there! If visiting your local aquarium parks is one of the things that excites you, you’ll get to experience the same emotion numerous times over at the reef. And, if you want to soak in the wonders of this reef, you need to do the following things.
Visit the Green Island
The Great Barrier Reef has over 600 continental islands. This means that there are tiny pieces of land that can serve as your dream escape from stressful realities. Visiting these places, whether developed or uninhabited, the nearby towns and the surrounding beaches are surely worth your time and money.
The Green Island is perhaps one of the most unique islands within the Great Barrier Reef area. It is just 45 minutes away from the coast of Cairns. For over 6,000 years, it has been home to many native plants and animals. But the thing that makes it unique is that this island is a coral cay with a rainforest on the land surface. Now it makes sense why it is called “Green Island”.
Enjoy Whitehaven Beach and Keppel Bay
On the east coast of the popular island collection “Whitsunday”, you’ll find the most picturesque beach in entire Australia – Whitehaven Beach. As the name suggests, the shore is just filled with beautiful white sand. It is said that the sand is made up of 98% pure white silica. You can do lots of water activities here, from sunbathing to snorkeling.
If you find one beach not enough, how about 17 of them? The Great Keppel Bay is just a 30-minute ferry ride if you are boarding from Rosslyn Bay of Yeppoon. Aside from the usual water activities, you can enjoy watching humpback whales from afar, trek from Fisherman’s Beach to Bald Rock Point’s lighthouse, and enjoy an intimate dinner at Putney’s Beach.
Spend Some Time at Hamilton Island and Cairns
Hamilton Island is the largest uninhabited island from the collection of islands of Whitsunday. The land area is not used for residential purposes but 30 percent of it is utilized for resorts and restaurants. The famous Hamilton Island Marina is the place to be if you are looking for a romantic getaway with your significant other.
Cairns, on the other hand, is a city located near the Great Barrier Reef. It is part of the Queensland state of Australia. That being said, it is also a must-visit place if you aim to travel to The Great Barrier Reef since it is also a tropical oasis.
Aside from the entertainment value of the city, you also get to visit the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest before you head to the Great Barrier Reef and be flooded with inspiration.
Join A Diving Session
Snorkeling is one of the easiest water activities done within the Great Barrier Reef region wherein you get to see marine life personally. You get to spot the “Great Eight”, which are the turtles, clownfish, manta rays, sharks, whales, giant clams, potato cods, and Maori wrasse. They are the most prevalent and recognizable marine species that you can find while snorkeling.
If you want to go deeper, then choose scuba diving. You will not only view the “Great Eight,” but you will also explore the stunning coral reefs that make up the entire region. There are many islands in the Great Barrier Reef that are great diving spots. 3 of the most popular are Lady Musgrave Island, Lady Elliot Island, and Heron Island.
Essentially, when visiting the Great Barrier Reef, it will be a waste if you don’t dive deep and see with your own eyes the marvelous marine life that thrives there. If you don’t know how to dive, spend some time practicing before traveling so that you can optimize your visit.
Take A Helicopter Ride
It is understandable that some have fears of going deeper into the water. Fortunately, you can still enjoy the marvels of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet. There are many air tour operators that you can choose such as GBD Helicopters, Nautilus Aviation, and Air Whitsunday.
Did you know that the Great Barrier Reef is still visible from outer space? That’s how large and outstanding the region is. Yes, it is impractical to go to outer space to observe the greatness of the reef, so the best thing you can do is book a helicopter ride.
Go Sailing
If you’re afraid of both the deep sea and heights, then sailing is for you. There are many options for boat operators like the OzSail and ISail Whitsundays. You can cruise either on a yacht or a catamaran. A wide range of sailing routes is also available, so the options are basically endless.
If you want a more unique experience, go for a glass-bottom boat. You can easily observe the corals from above the clear glass. Furthermore, it can be experienced either during daytime or nighttime.
You can also get a one-in-a-lifetime chance to experience sleeping in a room submerged underwater with large, secured glass windows wherein you can view the ocean life. This is called the “Reefsleep Experience” and can be availed either for a whole day or an overnight stay.
Conclusion
The Great Barrier Reef is a large sanctuary for a lot of marine life. You may not be a water person or not a fan of watching aquariums, but rest assured that a visit to that place can change your perception for the better. That is how amazing the Great Barrier Reef is.
