Bucket list experience:
Queensland, Australia
This vast coral reef system, comprising almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands, stretches for over 1,600 miles off Australia’s eastern coast – it’s so vast it can be seen from outer space.
It supports an astonishingly rich biodiversity, including 30 species of whale and dolphin, 1,500 species of fish, 125 species of shark and ray, and six species of sea turtle.
Shark, Holmes and Osprey reefs regularly rank among the world’s greatest dive spots. All three are accessible from Port Douglas on liveaboards – but they’re too far away for day trips.
The majority of the reef’s treasures, though, are found just a couple of metres below the surface, meaning this magical underwater world is accessible to snorkellers and glass-bottomed boats as well as divers.
Multiple operators based in or near Port Douglas’s marina offer a wide range of dive and snorkel trips.
As the nearest fringes of the reef are least two hours offshore, excursions leave at first light and last all day. Overnight or multi-day trips offer a package of varied dives, such as reef, wall and night dives.
Children aged 4 and over can join snorkelling tours, and under 14s will usually get a discount.
Seaplane flights offer an alternative – and exhilarating – way to access and appreciate the vastness of the reef. Planes touch down for snorkelling and picnics on remote coral cays.
Trips out to the reef run daily all year round. Start times vary by tour and operator but will depart at first light and return at the end of the day. For the best underwater visibility dive between August and December.
Stinging jellyfish are a problem in these waters from October to May, but most commercial dive boats carry stinger suits to protect divers from this threat.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Port Douglas
A225 | Rating 4.88 / 5 [200 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
A226 | Rating 4.60 / 5 [161 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
A252 | Rating 4.85 / 5 [943 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Port Douglas
A272 | Rating 4.80 / 5 [209 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia
Swim with minke whales and dive/snorkel the best sites on the Great Barrier Reef.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2,300 | 4-6 days
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Former travel editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine James Fair round-ups the earth’s greatest natural wonders, which will literally take your breath away.
