Diving Down Under Exploring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The amazing natural diversity of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef will be a memorable sight of your travels down under.

Due to its natural beauty, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. If exploring this natural wonder is on your bucket list, there are many ways that you can get a glimpse at its colourful underwater world.

More than 1500 species of tropical fish live here, as well as 120 year old giant clams and endangered sea turtles.

The reef stretches over 3000km parallel to the Queensland Coast, and can be around 65km wide in some parts.

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To give some perspective on the enormous scale of the reef itself, it is larger than the Great Wall of China – and it is discernible from space!

Scuba Diving

Divers from all over the world come to explore the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. The coastal towns of Cairns, Port Douglas – pddt.com.au/ -, and Townsville all have diving schools where travellers can learn to dive. Many operators offer day trips or even three-day live-aboard adventures including meals where you will be able to sleep on the boat and dive to your heart’s content.

You can possibly get a discount by booking your boat trip at the last moment on standby rates, but make sure that your travel dates are flexible if you are choosing this option. The southern area of the reef near Townsville is one of the most famous areas for diving, because it is where the wreck of the Yongala lies. This ship sank in 1911, and its structure has now become inhabited by many species of fish and coral.

The best season to go diving is from April until October, which is when you will have the most visibility.

Reef Tours

If you want to also see the sights of the Great Barrier Reef on the surface, you can enjoy one of the many Reef Boat Tours offered by tourism providers in the area. The reef area is dotted with many small islands boasting tropical sandy beaches, steamy green rainforests, and majestic hills. You will find everything from turtles, birds, bandicoots, and lizards.

One of the best islands to visit on a boat tour is Green Island, a 6000 year old island formed on a coral cay only 27 kilometres from the coast. Great Adventures Tour Company offers a high speed catamaran that takes 45 minutes to reach the island, and when you are there you can hike along the boardwalks and trails through the lush rainforest.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is an amazing natural wonderland just waiting to be explored, so go ahead and dive in!

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/travel-articles/adventure-travel-articles/diving-down-under-exploring-australias-great-barrier-reef-764560.html

About Author:

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral formation on earth, and it can be found off the Pacific Coast of Queensland,Australia. It is one of the world’s most amazing natural gifts, and within this massive reef there lives a variety of sea life including hundreds of species of fish, coral, and other living creatures. I work for a Digital Media Agency and write about various clients & topics. However, writing is almost a passion. I also contribute to thisisairtime site and others too.Author: Elena L Price

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