How to play the Great Barrier Reef in Australia? This guide helps you choose.

Australia is known to have the largest coral reef cluster in the world-the Great Barrier Reef. It extends along the northeast coastline of Australia, with a length of more than 2,000 kilometers. It consists of more than 600 coral reef islands, with gorgeous colors and attractive scenery. Its central coral reef island has become the iconic landscape of the Great Barrier Reef.
However, due to its remote location, tourists usually need to travel long distances to get there, and the time to stay at the Great Barrier Reef is often limited. So, how do you choose the best Great Barrier Reef experience for you in your limited time? Next
(1) Cairns: one of the main gateway cities to the Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventurers. It is home to the Great Barrier Reef (the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world, rich in marine life), tropical rainforests and various outdoor activities, which are suitable for different types of tourists.
First experience of the Great Barrier Reef
Green Island is about 28 kilometers from Cairns. As the name suggests, on the one hand, the sea water is clear and green, as transparent as emerald, and on the other hand, the island is covered with dense green rainforest. It takes about 40 minutes to walk around the island.
Green Island is a part of the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The island provides deep diving, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat viewing undersea life, helicopter sightseeing and other activities. Although there are resorts with good facilities on the island, most tourists will choose one-day trips, which usually include snorkeling, glass-bottomed boats or other water sports, and the price is relatively affordable.
Ride on[Big Cat Cruise Ship]It takes only 45 minutes to reach the beautiful coral island-Green Island. Surrounded by white sandy beaches, gorgeous reefs and abundant marine life, the island is lined with trees. The Big Cat runs several boats to Green Island every day. You can snorkel or swim in the clear water, explore the wonderful underwater world by glass-bottomed boat or semi-submarine, or take a walk on the forest paths of the national park, or just lie leisurely on the beach to enjoy the sun and white sand.
Big Cat Cruise Ship Green Island One-day Tour Reference Time

08:15 Boarding procedures at Cairns Cruise Terminal (08:00-08:45)

Boarding starts at 08:30 and you can enjoy free tea and coffee after boarding

09:00 Take the “Big Cat” to Green Island

Arrive at Green Island at 10:15 and participate in various activities by yourself

11:30 “Big Cat” buffet lunch time

15:40 Watch the fish feeding show

15:45 Leave Green Island and return to Cairns

17:00 Return to Cairns Cruise Terminal

The outer barrier reef that can’t be missed
The Moore Outer Barrier Reef is one of the largest and most beautiful living coral reefs in the world.
It is located off the coast of Cairns, facing the deep sea. The sea water is deeper and clearer. On sunny days, the underwater visibility can reach 20 meters. Colorful coral reefs are located on beds of fine white sand. The outer barrier reef allows you to experience a more primitive and diverse ecological environment of the Great Barrier Reef, with rich marine life species and colors. You can dive up to 22 meters deep here, and you can see all kinds of hard corals and tropical fish schools, and occasionally encounter gentle reef sharks.
Access to the Outer Barrier Reef usually arrives at the offshore floating platform by boat (approx. 1.5-2.5 hours) or helicopter (approx. 20 minutes) from Cairns Marina. The platform is the base of activities, which is divided into two floors, above and below, and provides functions such as changing clothes, shower, rest, diving training, and undersea viewing.
[Sun Lovers Great Barrier Reef Cruise Ship]Daily departures from Cairns to Moore Reef Offshore Platform. This platform is thoughtfully designed and suitable for tourists of all ages, allowing you to calmly explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel, dive, or view the underwater world through a glass-bottomed boat.

Ascend the only water slide on the Great Barrier Reef

The Sun Lovers features a spiral water slide on the offshore platform at Moore Reef, perfect for an experience with family and friends. The package includes snorkeling, glass bottom boat and other activities, which is full of fun.

Reference time for one-day cruise of Sun Lovers

08:30 Ticket exchange at Reef Fleet Pier and prepare for boarding

10:00 The cruise ship leaves the dock

11:30 Arrival at Moore Reef Offshore Platform

11:30-15:00 Free activities on the platform (including buffet lunch)

15:30 Cruise ship returns

17:30 Return to Cairns Pier

* Helicopter sightseeing is available at an additional cost

* The itinerary may be adjusted according to the situation of the day

Another preference to go to the outer reef of Moore is[Dream Reef Cruise Ship]。 The ship is limited to 200 people, ensuring a comfortable experience. Its catamarans are fast and smooth, shortening sailing time, giving you up to 5 hours of activity time in the reef area, and providing plenty of water activities.
Dream Reef Cruise One-day Tour Reference Time

08:00-08:30 Arrive at the dock and board the ship directly with confirmation number

09:00 catamaran departure

10:30 Arrival at the Outer Barrier Reef offshore platform, free activity

15:30 Return and leave the platform

17:00 Return to Cairns Pier

* Optional boat to fly back, fly to boat back, fly to fly back packages

“Peerless Double Reef” Tour

Take a cruise ship on the Grand Adventure, visit Green Island and the Outer Barrier Reef (Norman/Moore Reef) in one trip, and experience double excitement. The itinerary includes semi-submarine undersea sightseeing, seafood buffet lunch and free snorkeling equipment for the whole family, young and old.

Enjoy the double reef in one day:Green Island + Norman/Moore Reef

Value Experience:5 hours of fun on exclusive offshore platform

Rich activities:Deep diving, glass bottom boat, semi-submarine, beach walk, suitable for both movement and quiet

Intimate service:Delicious seafood lunch buffet, free snorkeling gear

Grand Adventure Cruise Day Tour Reference Time

07:30 Pier Ticket Exchange

08:00 boarding, hot drinks provided

08:30 to Green Island

Arrive at Green Island at 09:15, free time for 2 hours

11:20 Go to the Outer Barrier Reef and explain snorkeling on board

Arrive at the Outer Barrier Reef platform at 12:30, free time for 3 hours (including buffet lunch)

15:30 Ready to return

Departure and return at 15:45

17:20 Arrival at Cairns Pier

More unique experiences

Picnic on Vlasoff Cay

Taking a helicopter to land on Vlasov Reef, a small sandy beach surrounded by a coral sea, snorkeling in the clear water, and then enjoying a hearty breakfast and sparkling wine is an incredibly special experience.

Upolo Reef
Snorkel in perfect conditions with a professional guide. Get the opportunity to see large schools of fish, giant clams, clownfish, reef sharks and sea turtles and take in the awe-inspiring underwater world.
(2) Luxury Barrier Reef-Whitsunday Islands
Swim with turtles and colorful fish, cruise through the clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef by boat, stroll barefoot on the most beautiful beaches in the world, and enjoy the tropical holiday style of the Whitsunday Islands.
The Whitsunday Islands are 55 km off the Queensland coast and have all the elements of a tropical paradise: blue sea, white sand, tranquil beaches and luxury accommodation. It is not only a leisure resort, but also a paradise for sailing, diving and snorkeling. You can fly over the famous heart-shaped reef and fulfill a dream on your wish list.
The best way to visit the Whitsunday Islands (including Hardy’s Great Barrier Reef and Heart Reef) is to fly directly to Hamilton Island and take a boat out to sea from here. If you fly to Airlie Beach, you need to transfer to the dock, and then take a boat for about 50 minutes to reach Hamilton Island, which is rather troublesome.
Hamilton Island Safari Park
Located in the heart of the island, it features breakfast with koalas. Although the park is not big, there are all typical Australian animals such as kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles, and there is a fixed schedule to take photos with koalas (no hugs).
Cat’s Eye Beach (the sunset is beautiful when the weather is clear)
It is a good place to relax and relax, stroll on the beach or snorkel. At low tide, you can go directly into the sea to watch live corals. Free use of non-motorized water equipment is available to guests staying at hotels on the island.
Recommended ways to visit Hardy Reef and Heart Reef-fly to boat back/boat to fly back

Proceed to the helicopter takeoff point for a helicopter tour of the Great Barrier Reef.

[Hardy Great Barrier Reef]Better preserved than the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Overlooking from the helicopter, a light blue water appears in the deep blue sea water, dotted with reefs, like gems. World-renowned[Heart-shaped reef]Just hide in it. Heart-shaped reef is naturally formed by coral polyps, and its whole picture can only be seen from the air. It is a symbol of romance.

Reference itinerary-fly to ship back (departure from Hamilton Island)

10:30-10:45 Go to the helicopter take-off point to complete the formalities (address : Palm Valley Way, Hamilton Island QLD 4802)

11:00-11:35 Helicopter ride to the Great Barrier Reef platform overlooking Heart Reef, White Paradise Sand on the way

11:35-15:00 Stop event at Hardy Great Barrier Reef Platform

15:00-17:00 Return to Hamilton Island by boat

Arrive at the pier at 17:00 and return to the hotel by yourself

* Each helicopter can carry 4-6 people (depending on weight)

White Paradise Sand and Hill Bay

Admire the swirling waters of White Paradise

When you come to Hill Bay, you will be shocked by the whirlpool of flowing white sand intertwined with turquoise water, which is the charm of White Paradise Sand Beach. This beach is often hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

 

Take a boat tour of White Paradise Sand and Hill Bay:

[White Paradise Beach]Located in the Holy Spirit Islands, the pure white silica sand stretching for 7 kilometers is delicate and soft, which sets off with mangroves and blue water, forming a beautiful picture scroll.

[Hill Bay]The observation deck can be reached by dinghy to enjoy panoramic views of the beach from land. The white sand at the mouth of the estuary blends with the blue ocean, just like a sand painting, and the scenery is particularly charming at low tide.

Itinerary arrangement:

Arrive at Hamilton Island Cruise Terminal before 08:20 to board the ship and head to White Paradise Sand Beach (voyage is about 1.5 hours).

Tour by rubber boat to Hill Bay Observation Deck (approx 2 hours).

Return to the beach for lunch.

Free activities at the southern end of White Paradise Beach for about 2 hours (beach volleyball and sand play).

Return to Hamilton Island Pier approximately 17:00.

* Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board.

* The itinerary may be adjusted according to the situation of the day

~ Whitsunday Islands More recommendations ~

Fall asleep on the reef

If you are reluctant to leave, you can choose to spend the night on the coral reef. After daytime visitors disperse, experience night diving or snorkeling, and then fall asleep to the sound of the starry sky and waves at the “Reef Sleep Camp”.

Cruise around Whitsunday Islands

Charter a luxury cruise boat and cruise at ease through the calm waters of the archipelago. Even without sailing experience, a “charter trip” is an excellent way to visit multiple islands with friends and family.

Golf in the Whitsunday Islands

The choice of golf courses here is diverse, from the waterfront links course at Bowen Golf Club, to the only 18-hole course in the Coral Sea region on Hamilton Island.

Tour Whitsunday Islands in a Modified Car

Cruise the Canonville countryside and Airlie Beach in a classic 1928 Ford or 1949 Chevrolet converted classic car for a retro and unique travel pleasure.

There are more exciting things in the Great Barrier Reef waiting for you to explore for yourself ~ ~ ~

 

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