Truly one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is something so many people have on their bucket lists. Not surprising when you consider what makes it so different and special from other marine attractions in the world.
Do read on as I share so many wondrous things I saw and learned when I was able to visit recently with my fiancé James.
Contents
What is the Great Barrier Reef?
Comprising over 2,900 reef and coral cays, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and most spectacular coral reef system.
Situated within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off the coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef size is the one thing that stuns most people when they hear about it. It is the biggest single structure on the planet made by living organisms. Plus, it is the only living structure on earth big enough to be seen from space!
We are talking about a reef stretching for over 2,300 kilometers! All together the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is approximately 350,000 square kilometers in size, equating to 70 million football fields or the entire size of Japan!
It is recognized on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and was the first coral reef ecosystem in the world to be awarded World Heritage status, and is visited by more than 1.5 million people each year.
Where is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia?
Located in the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef sits off the coast of the state of Queensland (Australia’s second-largest state situated along the northeast coast of the country).
The southernmost point of the reef lies just south off the coastal town of Gladstone and the northernmost point is located off the tip of Cape York Peninsula and just south of Papua New Guinea.
Being located along 2,300km of Queensland coastline, there are so many places you can base yourself to explore the reef. The main centers offering accommodation include (from south to north) the Town of 1770, Gladstone, Yeppoon, Mackay, Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, Townsville, Mission Beach, Cairns, and Port Douglas.
There are also many smaller towns and centers open to you depending on the time you have, your budget, and your ability to research (it is an enormous area with so many beautiful nature spots).
Without a doubt, the main or most popular access point for the reef is from Cairns, located within Tropical North Queensland. This northern city is well equipped for tourists wanting to experience time out on the reef and is easily accessible with an International and Domestic airport and all levels of accommodation.
Cairns is where we flew into and where we chose to be based as we explored many areas on our adventures south to Mission Beach, west to the Atherton Tablelands, and as far north as Cooktown.
Facts about the Great Barrier Reef
Corals, marine life, and islands
Corals of the Great Barrier Reef are both fascinating and beautiful. The reef is home to no fewer than 400 different species of coral.
This place is literally a marine biologist’s dream. Aside from the coral, the fish of the Great Barrier Reef comprises more than 1,500 species and 30+ species of marine mammals.
Above the water, there have been over 200 bird species and 118 butterfly species recorded on the reef’s islands and cays.
The entire area of the reef has arguably some of the world’s most beautiful islands.
Around 900 in total, the islands are all pretty accessible by boat from the mainland. Quite a few have been developed into world-class resorts but many remain undeveloped and in their natural state.
The Great 8
Where it comes to fish and animals of the Great Barrier Reef, visitors are predominately on the lookout for ‘The Great 8’. The Great 8 is the underwater equivalent to an African Safari with the following regarded as the iconic marine encounters on the reef:
- Nemo (aka the clownfish) found in sheltered reefs or shallow lagoons;
- Sharks with the most common being white tip, black tip, and grey reef sharks;
- Manta rays: the largest of all rays with wingspans of up to 7 meters, they are like the birds of the ocean for their graceful acrobatic skills;
- Maori Wrasse: big-boned fish that will happily play and follow you around like a faithful friend, these fish can grow up to 2 meters long and weigh up to 180 kg;
- Potato Cods: these gill-bearers like to get up close and personal with their wide mouths opening and closing as if trying to have a chat;
- Giant Clams: tough on the outside but colorful inside, they spend their days eating algae, photosynthesizing and looking pretty;
- Turtles: with six of the seven of the world’s turtle species calling the Great Barrier Reef home, it isn’t too hard to spot them;
- Whales: the reef provides the ultimate playground and nursery for humpback whales and their new calves as they make an annual appearance along the Queensland coast from June until September.
Great Barrier Reef tours
There are so many different ways to experience the reef and there is no shortage of options when it comes to choices of adventure.
What suits you best? You can select from SCUBA diving the Great Barrier Reef, cruising, sailing, relaxing at the various island resorts, scenic flights using helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft, coastal land, and waterways tours, or snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. And of course, any combination of these options to suit your taste and budget.
You can even take a long-extended holiday and do a Queensland epic road journey right along the coast, visiting the reef and numerous islands that your route allows. That would no doubt be the ultimate exploration and adventure opportunity to see much of this vast and amazing marine park.
Our Experience
For our visits out to the marine park, we chose to do this from Cairns not because this location was the most popular, but that was also an ideal launching pad into other natural wonders such as the ancient Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, and the Atherton Tablelands.
The tour operator we selected was ‘Down Under Dive’ which owns the ‘Evolution’. The Evolution is advertised as the fastest, most spacious, and luxurious superyacht operating out of Cairns which meant that you actually spent more time actually out on the reef. In addition, they also had a marine biologist on board to help visitors explore the reef via a guided snorkel tour and onboard information.
One of the things I would strongly recommend on these types of trips is not to forget lots of 50+ sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses.
Tour Inclusions
The Evolution was a well-equipped craft with multiple levels, plenty of space, free snorkeling and diving equipment, and live musical entertainment while cruising. They certainly catered well to guests including morning tea, full Australian-style buffet lunch as well as wine and snacks in the afternoon on your trip back to land.
Traveling from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef on a single full-day trip, we visited two outer reef locations: Saxon Reef and North Hastings Reef. Both were beautiful spots from which to explore and experience the Great Barrier Reef. Due to the speed of the vessel, visitors are guaranteed at least five hours out on the reef before having to return.
The entire trip went so smoothly and it was wonderful to see coral, fish, and other points of beauty while we were there. The water was so clear and blue and similar to what we had experienced when out on the water while staying at the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt.
Due to the fact that I didn’t trust my camera for any underwater shots, I only took photos to share here from the yacht but there is so much in the way of images online that you can easily look up and decide for yourself if you would like to visit.
A highlight for me was also talking at length with Phil, the marine biologist aboard the Evolution who provided so much information on the reef which really added another dimension to our trip.
Islands around the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
All up and down the reef for 2,300 km, are so many lovely islands you can visit. From Cairns, these included a day trip to Green Island as well as the larger Fitzroy Island, again very popular for day-trippers.
Fitzroy Island
Only a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, Fitzroy is a fairly large tropical island offering different types of accommodation ranging from camping grounds to the 4.5-star Fitzroy Island Resort.
The island is also designated as a national park.
There are lots of bushwalking tracks throughout the island such as the Lighthouse (no longer active) and Summit walks that offer great views out to the Great Barrier Reef.
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Other activities include snorkeling straight off the beach at Welcome Bay, exploring the rainforest-covered areas of the island, or sea kayaking.
Nudey Beach
Due to the beautiful color of its sand and clear blue waters, this beach is considered to be iconic to the region. Contrary to what some people think it is not a nude beach at all. However, it is recognized as one of the most photographed beaches promoting tourism in this region of Queensland.
We enjoyed a lovely hike along a track between the rainforest and the water to arrive at Nudey Beach and the time and effort to get there did not disappoint. I hope the images we took while we were there will give you some idea of just why this beach is regarded as so iconic.
Turtle Centre
For those interested in marine life and turtles, Fitzroy Island is home to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre that looks after sick or injured turtles before releasing them back into the wild. The organization also offers informative tours through the Turtle Hospital to meet recovering residents.
Green Island
Much smaller than Fitzroy Island and also designated as a national park, Green Island is likewise around a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns.
The island is a coral cay and can be walked around in roughly 30 minutes. It is indeed a beautiful island and the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest growing on it! It is well known for the 5-star Green Island Resort.
Green Island was first chartered by Captain James Cook in 1770 and not named because of its lush rainforest, but after the astronomer on board the HMS Endeavour, Charles Green.
Green Island has a rainforest interior, pristine white sand beaches, and lovely snorkeling spots. Aside from really enjoying walking through the island, we also took a glass-bottom boat tour around the coral sites surrounding the island. Can you believe the world’s first glass-bottom boat was pioneered on Green Island in 1937?
That piece of trivia together with numerous information signs across the island were some things we pondered as we relaxed and enjoyed lunch and amenities of the resort.
Another of the island’s attractions was a family-owned aquarium: the Marineland Crocodile Park.
The main draw here is Cassius, the world’s largest crocodile in captivity, measuring some 5.5 meters in length.
He is believed to be over 110 years old and is fed daily at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm.
Camping in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Campsites are spread throughout the region on a number of islands within the marine park. Facilities vary widely ranging from extremely basic (virtually just the spot) to sites that offer showers, flushing toilets, and picnic tables set up with the backdrop of some pretty spectacular scenery.
While camping brings you closer to nature and is more economical than most other accommodation, you can only camp in designated areas, keep to marked trails and follow the no trace principles. Fires are banned so you will need to have a gas stove or similar.
You will also need a National Park Camping Permit, available from the Queensland Government National Parks website.
Threats to the Great Barrier Reef
Throughout the whole length of the reef are thousands of delicate ecosystems upon which marine life species rely to survive.
Climate change and tourism are both significant threats to the health and vitality of the reef which I briefly discuss below.
Coral Bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef
When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. This is called coral bleaching.
As the Earth’s temperature warms due to global warming – so does the risk of mass bleaching – as seas get warmer. Coral bleaching can be devastating – it has the potential to wipe out whole ecosystems – as wildlife around the coral can no longer find food, they move away or die, creating barren underwater landscapes.
Coral bleaching represents a significant threat to the reef, which has already suffered as a result with some reports suggesting that over a third of the reef has been affected, albeit to varying degrees.
Bleaching leaves corals vulnerable to disease, stunts their growth, affects their reproduction, and can impact other species that depend on the coral communities. Severe bleaching kills them.
Tourism
Tourists, or more to the point, irresponsible tourism practices of introducing visitors to the reef without being mindful of the delicate nature of the coral can be equally devastating.
These include such things as allowing water vessels or equipment too close to the coral or even permitting visitors to touch or even remove coral from the reef.
Protecting the Great Barrier Reef
The Australian Government has recognized the importance of protecting the reef and has created a statutory body charged with overseeing the marine park.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority monitors the state of the reef and regulates tourism operators within the park. There are strict rules around their activities and breaching of these can incur hefty fines and loss of license.
Every visitor to the marine park also has to pay a levy to the Great Barrier Reef fund that is usually collected by each tour operator and submitted to the Authority. These monies offset the costs of regulating the environmental and enforcement activities connected with protecting the reef.
Most tour operators list the park levy as a separate charge to the fees they charge for accessing the reef. This is done to show that part of the fee visitors pay goes toward maintaining the quality of the reef and forms part of an initiative to educate people on how fragile the reef is and why it has to be protected.
To me, the additional levy is absolutely worth the money to protect the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, and really, an absolute natural jewel of the world.
Conclusion
For anyone that has a love of all things natural and marine, the Great Barrier Reef has to be at the very top of must-see, must-experience lists.
While visiting Australia may be a problematic and expensive exercise for many, there is no question that icons like the reef and other magical natural wonders around Far North Queensland, collectively make for an unforgettable experience.
If you are considering venturing to this part of the world then stay tuned for other wonderous places we managed to see while we were there.
What are your impressions of the Great Barrier Reef? Is this something you would regard as a must-visit? Or perhaps you have already visited and would like to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Either way, I would love to hear from you and thank you for reading about our adventure to this amazing marine treasure.
Outdoor adventure enthusiast that loves nature having travelled locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Passionate Travel Writer, Blogger and Influencer.
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
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Nicole Andersonhttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/nicsmarketingyahoo-com-au/
The Great Barrier Reef is a bucket list destination. I love marine life!
Such beautiful colors over so many species that live in or around the Great Barrier Reef, Monica. This makes it so important to protect the health of the reef. Thank you for reading.
The Great Barrier Reef and islands look like a beautiful place to visit.
Thanks, Danielle. They really are beautiful.
I have read about the Great Barrier Reef Islands before (hello boredom with Wikipedia) but haven’t seen a lot of pictures. It looks like a really great place. Love that beach!
Nudey Beach is indeed extremely popular for obvious reasons, Amy. So happy you liked the photos included here.
My new year`s resolution: Spending more time on beaches – and underwaters. In short: Enjoying life!
That sounds like a great plan to me, Renata! Here’s hoping you have a fabulous new year.
I am saving this post as Great Barrier Reef seems like such a great place to visit. Thanks for sharing with me
My pleasure, Marjie. I’m so pleased you enjoyed this.
Isn’t it great that tourism opening up again. And how incredibly beautiful is the reef and all of these beaches.
Absolutely, Laura! It is just so beautiful.
I would absolutely love to visit the great barrier reef. However at this juncture I’m not really feeling that travel is a good idea. For now I shall have to live through your pictures.
I can totally understand that, Elise. Hopefully, you will be able to feel safe enough to travel and visit the reef yourself in the future. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
These places are beautiful! I would love to visit the Great Barrier Reef someday. I will definitely add these to my bucket list!
That’s great, Risa. I’m sure you would love visiting and thank you for reading and commenting.
Amazing experience, I have never been to an island before. While visting the Great Barrier Reef, I would also love to visit both of these islands one day.
They are really lovely, Fransic. Thank you for reading.
The great barrier reef is like dream destination of mine! I would love to go there one day – especially for the sharks! I love sharks!
I was told that there are sharks in the waters around there, Ashli, although it appeared to be very safe where we stopped to snorkel and dive.
wow what an amazing adventure. i would love to visit for myself.
Thanks Katrina. I hope that you do.
Ahhh this is SO high on my list! Once our boys a bit older I defintiely want to take them! It looks like you had an amazing experience!
We sure did, Chloe! I’m sure you and your family would love it.
This has always been on my bucket list. I hope to be able to travel there someday and see it for myself.
It is indeed a special destination, Thena, and well worth the trip in my view.
I must admit that there was a lot I didn’t know about the Great Barrier Reef before reading your post! It is always so much fun to learn about a new place through you and your adventures. My must-see would have to be the turtle rehabilitation center. I’m a turtle lover, so I know that would be something I would enjoy.
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment, Erica. The turtle rehabilitation center is such a worthwhile cause and is situated on such a beautiful island, not far from the reef as well. Such a stunning setting where the turtles get the care they need.
The Great Barrier Reef is on my bucket list. This will be a great guide when I finally get to go.
Thanks Amy! Now Australia has opened to tourism again, it is a great opportunity to travel the distance to experience this natural wonder of the world.
I’ve always been so fascinated by the Great Barrier Reef. I learned a lot from this post that I never knew before. Thanks.
My pleasure, Seriah. So pleased you got a lot from what was shared here.
Great Barrier Reef seems like such a great adventure to be taken under in down under 🙂 It would be top of my list if/when I visit Australia!
Great to hear, Remo! Hope you are able to see it for yourself one day.
I love the turquoise waters and the gorgeous view of the Great Barrier Reef. It would be great if I could visit there and go for a swim!
Many people do just that all the time, Bauhinia. Perhaps you will be able to make the trip also one day. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
These views are totally stunning. I need to make a trip here. I’ve heard such amazing things.
Thanks very much, Thena. I definitely think it is worth making the trip to Australia.
I’ve never been to the Great Barrier Reef, but am just amazed by the number of bird species you have mentioned can be found there. Maybe it’s my love for birds.
What a beautiful place to observe them all, Caroline. That would be yet another reason to head to this part of the world.
It would be so cool to see the turtles when snorkeling. I also didn’t realize there were so many islands. They would be fun to explore.
Being part of the ‘Great 8’ mentioned in the article, turtles are certainly sought out and seen a lot by snorkelers, Kelly. The islands are really lovely and the reef of course is just amazing.
I’ve been to Australia twice already but haven’t been to the Great Barrier reef yet. My husband, whose Australian and has been there many times, says that there’s nothing like it in the whole world. We’re currently living abroad but are planning a family trip to Australia as soon as things get back to normal in terms of the pandemic and then I’ll make sure to visit here so my kids can experience it too. They love snorkeling so I’m sure that this place will be perfect for them.
That sounds like a wonderful plan for the family, Dani. I’m sure you will all treasure the experience of spending time at the reef and the islands as well. Thank you very much for sharing your situation and thoughts in relation to this amazing place.
Camping at an Island is such a interesting thing, I personally have never tried it. But would love to. It was great reading about your experience. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Manali. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
This looks like such an amazing trip! Visiting the Great Barrier Reef would be the trip of a lifetime. I would love to be able to see it in person someday.
Thanks, Marysa. Many people certainly agree and I certainly hope you will visit one day.
When I think of Australia, I only think of their animals such as kangaroos and koalas. The desserts too but I would love to visit this too. Coral viewing on this scale would be an amazing experience.
That’s for sure, Beth! Perhaps you will also make the trip to visit before too long. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
Fascinating facts here about the Great Barrier Reef. It’s great to know more about the place before visiting. Thank you for this guide.
You are most welcome, Brianne. I am really happy you found it to be of value.
Wow….Nicole you got me in a maze of choices! On one end, I would love to visit Nudey Beach before any other locations here but then, another choice comes up in my mind. Thanks for sharing. I am bookmarking it.
My pleasure, Ntensible. So pleased you liked all the possibilities here and that this may be useful in planning your visit.
I never knew the Great Barrier was home to so many animals! It’s also nice you were able to visit with fiancé James! I hope my husband and I get to travel here one day. Saving this article for future travel inspiration.!
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Ebony, and I hope you and your husband enjoy the experience just as much as James and I did.
Wow it looks utterly incredible! It’s always been my dream to visit the Great Barrier Reef and connect with the incredible nature and marine wildlife life there.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this, Tayla, and I hope your dream will be realized very soon.
So this is how you cover the Great Bartier Reef! The Islands give you much of the close-up look!
That’s true Carol, in that you can explore coral close to some of the islands, depending on the location. Thanks for reading and sharing your comment.
The Great Barrier Reef and surrounding islands are all really wonderful places to visit! I really enjoy reading this post!
Thank you so much, Nicz.
Wow! I wish I could visit these really amazing and wonderful places!
Now that COVID restrictions are easing up for much of the world, Rose, perhaps you will be able to soon.
I have always wanted to visit with family, so it was amazing to catch a glimpse of your experiences at The Great Barrier Reef. The pictures showcased of it look so beautiful, I could only imagine how it would all look in person! Thank you so much for your insight, excited to plan a trip there in the very near future! 🙂
Thank you so much, Kelly. I’m so pleased this has inspired you to plan a trip now that it is possible to travel to Australia again. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Such a detailed post and beautiful part of the world. If I ever learn to scuba dive, I think it will have to be here! Such varied marine life and a lovely climate to enjoy the sport… 🙂
Thanks, Paul. If you are planning on learning to scuba dive, the Great Barrier Reef would certainly be a spectacular place to do it. An unforgettable experience for sure.
I had heard so much about the Great Barrier Reef but had no idea that it is the world’s largest and most spectacular coral reef system. Loved reading the post because of the details you have included. I always wanted to see a Manta ray and I find them very adorable. Maybe in the future, I will explore the Great Barrier Reef and I am bookmarking this post for that.
I’m so pleased you liked the details included here, Parnashree, and that you enjoyed learning about this amazing reef. Thank you for your lovely comment and I hope you plan a trip one day to see it and go diving to see the manta rays that reside there.
Australia is indeed a beautiful continent. I really want to visit the Great Barrier Reef as it has amazing, fascinating Corals, marine life, and islands to hop and cherish for my whole life. I have visited to Sydney and really want to visit this place.
Hi Pamela. I agree Australia has so much to offer in the way of natural beauty. Hope you can return one day and get away from Sydney and the other major cities to explore the real continent. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I have heard so much about the Great Barrier Reef but this is the first time I got a real feel of this fascinating destination. No wonder I feel love to be there. Islands and marine life have always been of interest to me and my wife. Thus certainly seems a destination we must be heading to.
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment, Subhashish. I hope you and your wife do visit and enjoy it every bit as much as we did.
Ever since I was in primary level, there has been this lesson on protecting reefs because they are going to be soon endangered and that’s like decades ago. It’s pacifying to know that the largest in the world is still existing. The Nudey Beach is dazzling!
I remember also attending school where protection of reefs was covered, Trisha. Knowing that and seeing something like this up close really does drive that point home. Nudey Beach is definitely a favorite spot for many.
I have no idea that the Great Barrier Reef is so vast, with over 2,900 reef and coral cays and stretching over 2,300 km. The underwater world is so unique and wild that I would love to go scuba diving there to have a chance to admire these natural wonders. As a wildlife photographer, I would love to see and take pictures of turtles and whales, sharks, and fish. Maori Wrasse and Nemo are so beautiful. It’s great to know that there are so many tours possibles with a variety of attractions.
Thank you so much, Agnes. As a wildlife photographer, I’m sure the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area would be a real paradise with so many beautiful marine life and ecosystems to capture.
Does it look like you can stay at the islands? Could you really camp? I am a person who loves to camp at national parks and these islands would be perfect!
Camping is possible so long as you obtain a permit and choose among a number of campsites, Amy. Do check out the link I have included within the article in the area I discuss camping above for a lot more in the way of detail. Hope this helps you plan a fab trip.
The Great Barrier Reef is on my bucket list, and reading this made me so happy! I would go to Nudey Beach without a doubt!! I’m glad there are organizations devoted to preserving this wonderful place. I’d be disappointed if the Great Barrier Reef was ruined or neglected.
I’m so pleased this article brought you happiness in knowing that significant efforts are being made to protect such a treasure, Polly. So many of us recognize how important nature preservation is. The more we do, the better off future generations will be. Nudey Beach of course is also part of this and appears to keep growing in its popularity. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here.
Great Barrier Reef is top on my list. Australia is one of the two continents I am yet to explore. Hopefully, the travel restrictions will ease soon and I will be able to plan soon.
That sounds like a plan to me, Saurabh! Hopefully, you will be able to visit and enjoy this part of Australia soon.
Love all the captures shared here & enjoyed my reading here. Wishing to be there personally. Cheers.
Thanks, Sienny. I hope you will make it there as well, especially now that travel has started again.
This brought back some great memories of our visit to the Great Barrier Reef. We did a long day trip from Cairns. But we did snorkel and scuba dive. I am sure we saw many of the great 8 although we definitely missed whales. We certainly did not have a tour with such a great food option. We definitely want to go back and explore the other islands. Great that you got that chance. One day we will get Australia back on the travel planning board.
The islands around the Great Barrier Reef are definitely a good reason to return, Linda, aside from experiencing the reef again in the process. Australia is just starting to open back up now so planning is certainly possible. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your experience of the reef.
It’s been quite a while that I went snorkeling. Your breathtaking pictures of the turquoise waters make me longing for the ocean even more.
Thank you very much, Renata. The Great Barrier Reef is definitely an amazing place to snorkel!
What an adventure. looks like you really had a great time. And I wanna experience the same.
Thanks, Alita. I hope the information above will help you to do the same.
Your guide was really helpful. The Great Barrier Reef has long been on my must-see list and this pushed me to plan for my trip and just do it.
That’s wonderful, Alita! I’m sure you will have a wonderful time. Best wishes for a fabulous trip.
I always hear about people visiting the Great Barrier Reef. I would love to go there with my friends for a vacation.
Once you are free from any COVID restrictions relating to where you live Jasmine, the world is at your feet to travel to such beautiful places again. Thanks so much for reading and leaving your comment.
Since I saw the television advertising of the Great Barrier Reef for the first time, I knew I must visit the place someday. The corals and fish that live there are just amazing. Their colors are beautiful! I like that visitors have an option to camp nearby.
That’s for sure, Umiko! Visiting somewhere like this is a real privilege but being able to immerse yourself in such natural beauty via camping (or even within a resort there) is an absolute bonus. Hope you will be able to plan a visit soon.
Wow, there are so many beautiful photos to see here! I have never been to Australia before and I would love to visit the country and these beautiful offshore places one day.
It is a long-haul destination for many, Risa, but worth it for what you will find there. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I have never been there but the Great Barrier Reef looks absolutely beautiful. Definitely adding this to my bucket list.
Great to hear, Amy! I’m sure you would love to see it in person.
oh wow! the place looks amazing! it’s my dream to see the Great Barrier Reef one day. I do hope I will. beautiful photos too. I am so glad you enjoyed
Thank you so much, Lyosha. It really is a beautiful place to relax and explore.
Great Barrier Reef is one of its kind. I have been to both these islands, Fitzroy and Green Islands. I loved visiting both even though I felt diving near Green Island was too commercialised. I love all the parts of GBR and I want to visit it again for a longer period of time, just to go diving around.
I can definitely see what you mean about Green Island feeling somewhat commercialized, Raksha. Certainly part of this is due to the small size of the island, and the fact that it has a resort and day-trippers as well. Fitzroy on the other hand has a lower visitor-space ratio where you don’t feel other people around so much. Hope you will be able to re-visit again soon to enjoy diving more there.
I had often wondered how I could experience the Great Bartier Reef when I can’t swim. Now I know that there are islands to explore. Even a National Park. And it is the glass-bottomed boat that can give me a peek!@@
That is such a great point, Carol. There are so many great options within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area to see, appreciate and enjoy all that is on offer, without needing to even enter the water if you don’t want to.
I would LOVE to go and visit the Great Barrier Reef, it’s sad that possibly in my children’s lifetime this may disappear from our world. I wasn’t aware of what an impact coral bleaching had on the fish, thank you for spreading that awareness. Also, I found it funny that Nudey Beach IS NOT for the nude, ha!
Let’s hope the conservation work for the reef succeeds, Alice. This is also tied to climate change and global efforts there. It would be a huge loss if the whole reef died. Love your comment about Nudey Beach as well… such a lovely place to see.
Great Barrier Reef is definitely the first place I want to go to visit in Australia. Such a gorgeous, picturesque place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and more. 400 species of coral and 1500 species of Fish? Whoa! That’s awesome. Good to know that snorkeling & diving equipment, as well as musical entertainment, are included in your tour. Nudey beach looks incredibly gorgeous. Love the turquoise beauty!
It certainly is a very special part of the world, Bhushavali, and one which I’m sure you will love when you make your trip to Australia. Thank you for reading and leaving such a considered comment.
I have been wishing to visit the great barrier reef for a really long time. Unfortunately, this pandemic has destroyed my plans for the time being and I so hope that things will free up soon where I live to allow travel again soon.
Fingers crossed that the restrictions where you are won’t last too much longer, Oscar. Then you will be free to explore places such as this. All the best.
This would truly be a dream to visit some day. What a beautiful and amazing place. I would love to be able to swim there!
Swimming, snorkeling and diving are the main activities offered on trips to the reef, Marysa. It is quite a special experience to see such marine wonders up close.
I bet this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Nicole! You are among the lucky ones who managed to see the Great Barrier Reef so up-close. We only had a sample of what it must be like, when we visited the Loyalty Islands (New Caledonia). Those coral reefs and crystal clear waters are very similar to the Great Barrier Reef, I was told. Camping in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park must be wonderful, considering the perfect warm weather in that region.
I’m sure visiting the coral reefs at the Loyalty Islands would have been such a lovely experience as well, Anda. The area of the South Pacific/Oceania is so beautiful in general. Visiting and/or camping in such pristine areas is just fabulous but still needs to be done with care so as to not damage or pollute the environment. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
I did a quicksilver excursion from Cairnes to the Great Barrier Reef and was super disappointed. I made the mistake of not reading the reviews before I booked. I didn’t see any pretty fish, the coral was all dead, I didn’t have live music or tea either. Next time I will check out Fitzroy Island
I’m so sorry to hear that, Sherianne. There are so many tours operating to the reef from Cairns and Quicksilver is obviously just one. I don’t understand why they would take you to any area of dead coral with no surrounding marine life. If you return to Cairns, it might be good to try another operator such as Down Under Dive to have a better experience. Fitzroy Island is a separate trip but also really worth your time.
The Great Barrier Reef is such a beautiful part of the world. I lived in Australia for most of my life but still need to explore the area much more. The tour sounds like a great way to see it all. It’s great to hear that tourism is working towards protecting the site as well.
This is such a beautiful natural asset, Paul and you would be so lucky to be able to see it relatively easily due to living in Australia. Thank you very much for reading and leaving your comment.
While we have all heard about the Great Barrier Reef, I have never read about it in detail. The ecosystem, that you have described, is amazing. It is truly irreplaceable. And it is good to know about the measures in place to save it. I would love to explore it and have to get fitter for that now.
It really is a very special place Ambica and everyone that we met that lives in the area are all very serious about preserving it. This is so important given how popular the reef is to visit.
I am one of the persons who have the Great Barrier Reef on their bucket list. Good to know that Cairns is a feasible starting point for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. I would definitely want to do some snorkeling or diving. And also, if possible, go kayaking.
Cairns has an international airport to fly straight into as well, Natascha. The Great Barrier Reef is situated well out in the Coral Sea very far from the mainland so it isn’t feasible to kayak out all the way out there, although I suppose you could ask someone to carry your kayak on their vessel so you could kayak while there. Another great way to experience the reef.
This is definitely a must visit place for us…and hope any and all conservation efforts help the Great Barrier Reef regain its full strength..Thank you for this beautiful and detailed virtual tour
My pleasure, Vidya. All efforts to preserve this wonderful asset will pick up again now that visitation will increase with the opening of the borders.
So glad to hear that Nicole! I sure hope that when we finally get to visit this place, it is on its way to being restored to its former glory
That would indeed be wonderful, Vidya.
What a wonderful place to visit and I should add this in my bucket lists.
Thanks, Amanda. It is definitely worthy of ‘bucket list’ status! Thank you for reading.
The reef and the islands are such a really wonderful place to visit! I wish I could go there one day!
Thank you, Nicz and I hope you will.
Wow! These are great places to have a nice adventure and to have beautiful memories. I wish to be there someday!
Thanks so much, Gervin. Now that the borders have started to open again, it is possible to plan trips like this once more.
OMG Nudey looks AMAZING!!! This is really at the top of my bucket list.
It certainly is a very famous and popular beach in Far North Queensland, Stephanie. So many people visit and I’m sure you would love it also.
Such incredible views! I’d love to visit someday with the family.
It really is very beautiful Fatima and many families love getting out to the reef.
Wow! The Great Barrier Reef looks amazing. The water looks pristine blue and it’s so clean. I hope I can visit soon.
Australia has just started to accept tourists from certain countries now, Emman, so you should be able to start planning your trip. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
The clean blue water of the great barrier reef looks amazing. I would love to go to the place for at least one time in my life.
It is certainly an unforgettable experience, Abida. Thank you for reading.
I love going back to Australia! It’s like my second home. I hope I can really go back and see its pristine beauty. I miss the Australian nature.
I agree Emman; nature in Australia is quite unique in many ways. I can understand why people keep returning to explore and be immersed in it.