Is the Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard experience worth it?

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR), being the world’s largest living organism, easily tops the list of dive sites that have to be seen to be believed.

This incredible, 2,300km stretch of the coastline consists of thousands of coral, fish and sea species, each one as vibrant and unique as the next!

One of the best ways to dive into the Great Barrier Reef is via a Liveaboard experience. Liveaboard diving adventures take you out on a purpose-built vessel to some of the most mesmerising dive sites in the whole of the reef, providing you ample opportunity to marvel upon the weird and wonderful creatures that call the reef home!

So, if you’re into diving or nature, and have been asking, “is the GBR Liveaboard experience worth it?” then the answer is a simple yes! It is absolutely worth hopping aboard one of those magical boats and heading out to some of the most glorious dive sites in the whole world…

But if diving isn’t quite your thing, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the otherworldly GBR – let’s take a look at a few below…

Chill out on the beach

Whilst not technically getting amongst the vibrant coral, fish and sea life that reside in the reef proper, the beaches that line the coast and islands of the reef are some of the most gorgeous tropical spots in the whole, wide world. From Green Island’s forest-backed stretch to the sun-soaked Whitehaven Beach (otherwise known as one of the world’s best beaches), the GBR is full of tropical wonderlands that are perfect for relaxing and taking your time on…

Glass bottom boat tour

Yes, not everyone wants to chuck on their diving gear and get soaked under the turquoise waters of the GBR, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to see some of the beautiful, vibrant life that is happening below the surface!

One of the best ways to do this is via glass-bottom boat tour: these awe-inspiring trips take you across some of the reef’s most spectacular scenery, and wildlife, without the need to jump below the surface and get too close to them!

Helicopter tour

If you really want to see the reef in one of the most epic ways imaginable then a private helicopter tour is the way to go. These incredible tours swoop above the sparkling expanse of the GBR, taking in the larger, more majestic shapes that form below the sea surface. It’s an unforgettable tour that is truly unique to the region…

Related article: How much does it cost to visit the Great Barrier Reef?

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.