Top Ways to Experience the Great Barrier Reef

Travel to the shores of Queensland and beneath its quiet waters and you’ll reach world’s largest living ecosystem. From a bird-eye view, all seems calm and tranquil. But a closer look unfolds the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef in all its beauty and brilliance… 

A grand stage set with exquisite coral reef formations, the reefs perfectly depict nature’s dramatic exposition starring an astonishing number of unique marine animals! The amount of bustling marine traffic down under will put our streets to shame any day, pushing you to marvel at the method in their madness alongside the incomparable beauty that adorns their surroundings.

And when nature weaves such an incredible story on a stage that spans over 2000 kms, it’s nothing short of a crime to let this spectacle pass you by.

So, why wait? Don a mask, put a snorkel tube in your mouth, fins on your feet and gear up for an aqua adventure just off the Cairns coast. A Cairns Great Barrier Reef snorkelling or diving tour stands out as one of the cheapest and most famous ways to get an up-close and personal reef time.

Cairns also gives you best access to a group of coral islands and the most exclusive and diverse Outer Great Barrier Reef locations. With reef and island tours starting from Cairns being a dime a dozen; pick one that suits your budget and time constraints best and get your reef experience going!

Instead, you could also opt to take a Great Barrier Reef cruise to an offshore pontoon like the famous Marine World or Quicksilver activity platform serving as a base for multiple reef activities. You don’t necessarily have to be a diving enthusiast to appreciate the wonders of this underwater paradise. Beginners will be given snorkelling lessons, including instructions on how to use the gear and will be accompanied by a guide, if required. 

Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef is unique in its own right, but to fully appreciate the beauty of this wonder it is recommended you go scuba diving to greater depths. Lined with the best dive sites in the world, Great Barrier Reef is a diver’s paradise, irrespective of whether you’re an amateur or a certified diver. 

Not one to get wet or looking forward to give your sea legs a rest? Don’t worry as there are other interesting options also available to experience the reef. Join in on the fun and discover the seabed with a semi-submersible or a glass-bottom boat tour. Pass by vibrant corals and watch the diverse, colourful fish as they dart in and out of intricate reef & coral formations they call home! 

For a different experience, you also have the helmet-dive tours or the exciting sea walker adventure where all you have to do is to don a spaceman-like helmet that has fresh air being continuously pumped into its dome. Once you wear the helmet, you’re all set to go on an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ kind of experience as you walk along an underwater platform or the vibrant seabed itself, awed by the jaw-dropping beauty of the reefs. Or if you’re confident enough, you can slip your head into a helmet, go on a scuba bike ride and zoom away on an unforgettable underwater adventure!

For sweeping eagle-eye views of the reef, a helicopter ride or scenic flight is the best way to go! Fly over the reefs and see the natural formation of Heart Reef, a rare sight you don’t come across everyday!

There’s so much of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to see and experience, and with tours or snorkelling you are sure to feel it all. The bottom line is: Whichever way you choose to do, you are guaranteed a mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring reef time you won’t forget anytime soon!