Top 5 Things to Do in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and is big enough to be seen from space!

Sprawling out to almost 350,000 square kilometres and made up of hundreds of islands and majestic coral, the Great Barrier Reef is a wonder. Due to its size, it is no surprise it’s home to a huge amount of marine life. There are over 3000 species that live in the reef, including over 1500 species of fish and 30 different species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Coral sections provide both nutrients, protection, and food sources for all the marine life that live here. Without the reef, all these animals would slowly die, leading to a tragic change reaction in the food chain, changing our world.

The Great Barrier Reef allows yourself to immerse into a unique world. The reef is filled with incredible marine life, colourful coral, and breathtaking views. Without a doubt, it is well worth visiting the reef to escape the busy city life and see one of the wonders of the world.

When you’re at the Great Barrier Reef, here are a list of things you can get up to.

Best Things to Do in the Great Barrier Reef

• 1. Snorkelling

  

  Get up close and personal with marine life and learn more about the ecosystem of this incredible natural hotspot. Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities at the Great Barrier Reef where you can duck underwater and discover a new world.

• Snorkelling allows you to see the coral system flourish with colourful fish species swimming by beneath you. Join a tour where you learn how to snorkel and have a chance to hire goggles, a breathing tube, and a pair of flippers. With this simple but effective gear turning your swimming into an easy and breezy adventure.

  Regardless of whether you’ve snorkelled before or it’s your first time, or if you’re an expert swimmer or not, there are all kinds of different reefs available to suit your ability. There is a range of reefs, including shallow waters for beginners or deep and vast coral reefs for expert swimmers. There are also different reefs depending on your interests, with some featuring an abundant amount of plant life, with colours bursting everywhere. Other ones feature unique animals like sea turtles, groups of dugongs, or even sharks.

• 2. Scuba Diving

  

  If you’re after something a little more exciting, why not try scuba diving? It’s just like snorkelling, but you can go deeper in the underwater world. Even if you aren’t the greatest swimmer, you can easily dive without worry, as the flippers and oxygen tank will glide through the water.

• Prior to you getting into the water, you’ll do a beginner’s dive lesson. Listen and learn from the professional staff as they demonstrate how to use the equipment.

• 3. Visit Green Island

  

  Get ready for a full day jam packed with adventure, including walking treks, sunbathing on the beach, snorkelling within the shallow shores, or scuba diving! With hundreds of islands scattered within the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island is one of the more popular ones. Green Island is known for a sand cay, which is a low sandy island found on the surface of coral reefs, but Green Island is the only one with a rainforest.

• Just 45 minutes off the coast of Cairns, Green Island is a hotspot for those visiting who want to explore an island for the rainforest, wildlife, and water activities. You can reach Green Island by boat or helicopter, but typically the easiest way to get there is by boat.

• 4. Helicopter Flight

  Explore the Great Barrier Reef from another perspective entirely on a scenic flight! Going in a helicopter or seaplane allows you to see the islands and coral reefs from up above!
  Soar above the turquoise waters and spot the land masses as you whizz overhead on a breathtaking, once in a lifetime experience. One of the best parts of these flights is a chance to see Heart Reef, a coral reef section that is ironically shaped like a heart.

• 5. Whitehaven Beach

  The stunning shoreline of Whitehaven Beach is an iconic image for most people. One of the best beaches in Australia, this beach promises crystal clear waters and pristine white sands.
  The beautiful backdrop is like something out of a fairytale, where sprawling sands meet the shallow waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The beach is nestled on one of the islands within the Whitsundays, being on the cover of many of Queensland’s postcards and advertisements.

  Visit the beach to kick back and relax on the sandy shore, admiring at the fantastic clear blue waters. Not only can you relax here, but you can also go snorkelling, scuba diving, and even sailing!

  What are you most looking forward to when visiting the Great Barrier Reef? Is it snorkelling, seeing the reef from a bird’s eye view, or one of the other amazing activities?

  Related article: Which is the best Great Barrier Reef Tour?