Great Barrier Reef Cairns, Australia

One of the top reasons people visit the far north of Australia is to experience the Great Barrier Reef. The amazing array of marine wildlife and exotic colours cannot be found elsewhere in the world with the ease this region affords.

Cairns offers an ideal hub for trips to the reef. Some of the most exotic and rare diving and snorkelling in the world are a short distance from the city of Cairns, courtesy of dozens of reef tour companies. This exotic playground twice the size of Tasmania, is waiting to be explored.

The Great Barrier Reef has been a focus point for the eastern coast of north Australia for centuries. The magical colours of the reef intrigued Captain James Cook, an English captain who claimed Australia for Britain in 1770, until he accidentally struck the sharp coral and punched a gaping hole in his vessel Endeavour. The explorer was able to repair the hole in his boat in the Cooktown River and return home, but not without experiencing the full wrath of the reef.

Since that time, the Great Barrier Reef has been a constant source of fascination for everyone who encounters it.

A trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a holiday you won't forget. Beautiful reefs, exotic fish, clear warm water and the hot sun combine to make a glorious experience. Whether you are interested in deep-sea diving among giant wrasse, or paddling in shallow water surrounded by tiny fish on the edge of a sandy cay, the Great Barrier Reef is a place you must visit.

Far North Queensland; specifically Cairns, Port Douglas & Mission Beach are the best places to base yourself if you plan on visiting the Great Barrier Reef because it is closer in proximity to the coral than any other place on the eastern coast of Australia. Reaching the Outer Barrier Reef only takes 2 hours, whereas from everywhere else on the east coast takes 4 hours.

Great Barrier Reef Trips

Everybody is different, and we all like different sorts of experiences. Thankfully, there are MANY reef trips to choose from, and usually the greatest problem is choosing which one to pick.

We have broken down all the Great Barrier Reef trips into an easy to read format, just click on the category you think might apply to you.

• Reef Trips for Non-Swimmers
• Great Barrier Reef Trips for Families with Children
• Day Trips with Introductory Diving (no medical required)
• Attain a Dive Certificate
• Relaxing on a Tropical Island
• Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Tours
• Private Reef Charter on Luxurious Vessel
• Helicopter Flights over the Great Barrier Reef
• Half Day Reef Trips
• Tour Packages including Reef Trips

Enquiries

INSTANT BOOKINGS - See the Great Barrier Reef tours section to view a huge range of tours to the reef with discount prices and itinerary planning.

We would love to help you find the best Great Barrier Reef experience... please fill out your details in the form below and we will contact you with some awesome reef options. If you're form shy, try emailling us directly on enquiries@cairnsattractions.com.

Contact Details
Contact:	If you request phone contact we will call you shortly. How would you prefer we contact you? Phone Email
Email:
Phone:
Name:
State:
Country:
Travel Date:	(optional)
More Information
Tell us what you'd like to experience (tick as many as apply)
Reef Trips for Non-Swimmers Great Barrier Reef Trips Suitable for Families with Children Day Trips with Introductory Diving (no medical required) Attain a Dive Certificate Relaxing on a Tropical Island with Resort Facilities Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat Tours Private Reef Charter on a Luxurious Vessel Helicopter Flight over the Great Barrier Reef
Comments or Special Requirements:
Please feel free to send us some chatty details about what you're after, or any additional questions you might have.

We have lots of other information about the Great Barrier Reef... please explore our sections below.

The Reef

The Great Barrier Reef has been described as one of the 7 wonders of the world, and there is little wonder why. As a World Heritage Listed area, the 2000km stretch of reef is home to more species of plants and animals than any other area of this size in the world. The combination of glorious weather, unspoilt rainforest, long white beaches, and warm blue water sets a scene for paradise. (Be careful though, during the rain season from December to March, you may encounter non-stop tropical downpours!) This is also the cleanest and clearest body of water in the world.

• Dugong, turtles, dolphins, whales
• More than 1500 species of tropical fish
• 4000 types of mollusc
• More than 200 species of bird life

You're likely to see marine creatures like:

• Moray eels
• Coral Trout
• Anemones
• Shrimp
• Star fish
• Sea cucumbers
• Sea whips
• Giant clams
• Potato cod (grouper)
• White tipped reef sharks (harmless to humans)
• Barracuda
• Lion fish
• Puffer fish

The Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 3000 reefs with 400 types of coral. Among the coral are 618 pristine tropical islands and 300 coral cays that look just the same in real life as they do in the holiday brochures at a tour desk. The cays can be completely un-vegetated and disappear underwater at high tides. Others can be slightly vegetated and support a huge array of bird life, while some have trees and animals.

Green Island, only 1.5 hours from Cairns aboard a fast ferry, is a prime example of a wooded cay. This island was naturally build up with coral over thousands of years. Birds from the mainland transported seeds to the cay, which eventually culminated in a treed island.

When you get up close to the myriad of corals, you'll notice the intricate design and tiny features which make them so remarkable. Tiny coral polyps - jelly blobs covered with tentacles - are minuscule creatures that combine together to form colonies. Each polyp lives inside a shell of aragonite, a type of calcium carbonate which forms the hard shell of the coral. The polyps connect together to form elaborate forests of brilliantly coloured coral in all the shapes you can imagine. Some look like brain, some like deer antlers, some like dinner plates, and some like noodles.

Minute algae create the colour of the coral. Some corals are slow growing and can take hundreds of years to develop as big as a basketball. Others are faster growing.

The variation in shapes and colours between the corals makes an amazing spectacle. One visitor said, “I'm convinced that Walt Disney designed the reef - it's almost too perfect. There were so many things to see that I got sensory overload on every dive.”

Cultural & Historic Significance of the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is also important for cultural reasons. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups of the coastal areas of northeast Australia maintain a strong spiritual connection with the ecosystem. Some examples can be found on Lizard Island and Hinchinbrook Island where there are spectacular galleries of indigenous rock paintings.

There are also about 30 shipwrecks of historic importance in the area. The hazards of navigation in the Great Barrier Reef, which were experienced by the very first explorers in the region, resulted in the construction of many lighthouses. Some of these have particular historical importance such as the lighthouse at Lady Elliott Island, built in 1866 and still operating today.

Reef Trips

You have many options for a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. You can choose from:

• Half-day trips
• Full-day trips
• Overnight trips
• Multiple-night trips

Deciding what option to take depends on how keen you are to dive the reef and also how much time you have.

The Half-day trip gives you the luxury of slotting a visit to another Cairns destination into your day.
Day trips usually leave Cairns or Port Douglas at about 8am and return to Cairns at 5:30pm. This allows you more time to experience the reef without needing to check your watch.

Some trips include morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, but others charge extra for these services.

Children are fully catered for on most reef trips. Snorkelling gear, down to the smallest sizes, is available for kids. Also, small floating structures for kids to hold onto while swimming are a feature at many reef pontoons.

Tropical Climate

Tropical North Queensland has glorious warm weather and sunshine most of the time. However, sometimes it is hotter (and wetter) than you may be comfortable with.

The best time of year to visit is from July to November. At this time of year the temperature is a little cooler and there is less chance of rain than other times.

Needless to say, this is a tropical region so the sunrays are strong and the air is warm. Make sure you wear a hat and sunscreen at all times while outdoors.

Diving

Most people who dive on the Great Barrier Reef have never experienced anything like it before. If you are not a certified diver, introductory dives are available on most of the tour boats. You will need to complete a health questionnaire and participate in a short diving theory lesson.

But if you don't want to strap a tank of air to your back and turn into a human fish, a snorkel and mask will take you a long way. From the surface you can still view incredible reef structures and marine animals. Some of the most spectacular animals and corals are found in the first metre of water. It's also much cheaper to snorkel!

If you don't want to get wet, you have the option of viewing the reef from the comfort of glass-bottomed boats, semi-submersibles and underwater observatories. These facilities provide a wonderful clear view of the reef while keeping you dry.

Diving areas of the Great Barrier Reef

Places like Green Island, Fitzroy Island, Michaelmas Cay, Franklin Islands, Moore Reef and Arlington Reef are in close proximity to Cairns and are ideal for day trips. These locations have exotic reef life and extensive marine animal activity. They are great if you are visiting for the first time. Green Island and Fitzroy Island have eating facilities, bathrooms, and accommodation.

For the purposes of visiting areas of the Great Barrier Reef, it is best to divide the reef into sections. The Inner Reef is most easily accessed on day trips and these reefs are close in proximity to the shore. Outer Reefs take longer to reach, as outlined below. The Far Northern Reefs and Coral Sea reefs are reserved mainly for overnight or longer trips where remote and unusual reef formations are located.

Inner Reefs

These reefs are accessible by day boats and offer safe diving in shallow waters. Due to the regular flow of water due to strong tides between the mainland and reef, whip and fan formations are common. Small colourful fish are also plentiful in these shallow waters.

Between coral bommies, stingrays are abundant and even the odd Dugong has been spotted feeding on the sea grasses. Birds are plentiful because of the islands and cays around.
These sites are recommended for easygoing casual dives.

Outer Reefs

Reefs on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef offer bigger variation in species, plus underwater canyons and gorges cutting mazes through the coral. The water in this area can also be clearer than shallow water.

These sites are recommended for all divers. Experienced divers will appreciate the wide range of corals and wildlife, while inexperienced divers will be treated to a truly remarkable trip that will set a foundation for future exotic dives.

Far Northern Reefs

The Far Northern Reefs include the Ribbon Reef system. This is a series of reefs stretching out like a multi-coloured ribbon to the north where the famous Cod Hole is located. Here, a family of friendly Potato Cod live with huge schools of fish and Maori Wrasse. Divers swim among these enormous fish and 2m wide giant clams surrounded by hard and soft corals.

Manta Rays, the huge elegant says, glide past making a shadow on the reef.
During night dives, sleeping green turtles and a variety of sleeping reef fish can be seen.

A trip to these reefs is usually around 4 to 5 days in length.

Coral Sea

This is serious stuff! 1000 metre vertical walls on the continental shelf with 40 metre (120+ft) visibility are common. This is where the Great Barrier Reef meets the depths of the Pacific Ocean, so Grey Whalers, White Tips, Silver Tip Whalers, and circling scalloped hammerheads patrol for food. Schools of Barracuda and large Dogtooth Tuna are always nearby.

Scuba Diving on the Coral Sea is deep and can quite often have roaring currents. Trips are usually 5 days in length and include the Ribbon reefs as well.

Safety on the Great Barrier Reef

Snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef is a safe activity. The tropical waters are warm, calm and shallow. Only trained guides who are proficient in first aid and safety regulations specified by the Queensland Government can take you on a trip. However, there are a few guidelines you should follow to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip, whether it is just for a day or for an overnight trip.

Always wear sunscreen with a high SPF rating. Believe it or not, the sun is the most dangerous part of a trip on the Coral Sea. You're bound to see other fried visitors glowing red after a day on the reef, and you don't want that to happen to you. This is very important because intense tropical sunrays will target you from the sky and also from their reflection off the clear blue water. Reapply sunscreen every two hours if you are in the water.

Avoid sitting out in the sun during the middle of the day.

Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Do not swim after you have eaten or if you have consumed alcohol.

Follow all instructions from the lifeguards and crew aboard the boat.

Swim in the designated areas only. Usually this is marked by buoys and rope, but use common sense and stay close to other people.

If you are in trouble then raise one arm, and wait for assistance.

Don't touch the coral reefs.

If an emergency does occur, you are in good hands. Queensland's air-sea rescue services are among the most extensive and advanced in the world. Diver recovery systems, decompression chambers and dive medicine expertise can be accessed in any emergency from most points of the reef.

What to wear when visiting the Reef

Not much.

For a day trip, your clothing can include shorts, T-shirt, swimsuit and hat. Essentials are sunscreen and sunglasses. If you are visiting an island or cay, bring some sandals or reef shoes.

For overnight trips, you'll also need to bring a warm shirt for the evening. Other than that, don't worry! You're in the tropics!

Of course, you can't forget your camera so you can capture your magical moments at the Great Barrier Reef. Try a reloadable underwater camera while your snorkeling or scuba diving and get some closeups of the fish!