Dive The Great Barrier Reef
Ticked off in February 2010
Drop beneath the surface of the largest coral reef system on Earth, among turtles, reef sharks and fish in every colour.
The adventure
Diving the Great Barrier Reef starts with a boat ride out from the Queensland coast, the water turning from green to a deep, startling blue as you reach the outer reef. Then you roll backwards off the side and the noise of the boat disappears. Below you are gardens of staghorn, brain and plate corals, with clouds of fish swirling around them.
Every dive brings something new. Green turtles glide past, reef sharks patrol the edges and giant clams sit open on the sand. Further north, the Ribbon Reefs are known for the Cod Hole, where huge potato cod swim right up to divers, and in June and July dwarf minke whales visit the same waters. Night dives reveal a completely different reef, as the corals feed and creatures you never saw by day come out to hunt.
It's the largest coral reef system on Earth: more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 2,300 kilometres down the Queensland coast, the biggest structure ever built by living things.
Why it’s epic
- The reef stretches more than 2,300 km and is made up of around 2,900 individual reefs.
- It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
- Six of the world's seven species of marine turtle live on the reef.
- Mass coral spawning happens a few nights after a full moon in late spring, usually November or December.
What it is
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometres.
How to do it
Dive or snorkel from Cairns, Port Douglas or the Whitsundays on day boats or liveaboards to the outer reef.
Top tip
Choose an operator with eco-certification and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Need to know
- Allow at least 18 hours after multiple dives before you fly.
- Box jellyfish season runs roughly from November to May, when stinger suits are recommended.
- Liveaboards to the outer and Ribbon Reefs give the best diving; day boats suit beginners and snorkellers.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £2,000 to £5,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- 1 to 3 days
- Best time to go
- June to October
- Fly into
- CNS airport
Flights to Australia are the main cost; dive trips range from affordable day boats to pricier liveaboards.
Do it yourself
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- HotelsBooking.com
- Adventure travel insuranceWorld NomadsWe receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
Over to you
Is “Dive The Great Barrier Reef” on your bucket list, or have you already done it? Tell me in the comments, and if you've got a question about it, ask away and I'll answer.