Things to Do & Activities in Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Things to Do in Great Barrier Reef

Dive deeper into this beautiful part of Australia and experience the stunning Great Barrier Reef for yourself.

The Great Barrier Reef is undeniably one of the best places to visit in Australia. High on many tourists must-see list, there is a never-ending list of things to see and do here, it’s easy to see why over two million people make the trek here each year.

A UNESCO World Heritage listed site the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Spanning across over 2000 kilometres of coastline the incredibly reef system is visible from space! This stunning underwater world is the largest living thing on Earth, and we invite you to experience its amazing sea life for yourself.

An underwater world for you to find

The Great Barrier Reef is home to countless marine life, in fact around ten percent of the world’s fish population can be found along this coastline alone! Amongst the more than 1500 species of fish found here are many fan favourites, including the unmistakable clown fish and blue tang, also known as Nemo and Dory.

However, it’s not just the smaller marine animals that live along this coast. Keep an eye out for the seven types of sea turtles here and the thirty types of whale and dolphins. While marine life thrives below the surface, birds control the sky. Over 215 species of birds visit the Great Barrier Reef in the day to hunt or nest at reef islands.

Explore the reef for yourself

Made up of over 3000 individual reef systems, there are plenty of places to choose from when adventuring to the reef, so don’t worry about it being crowded. Cruise out on a luxury boat and bask in the sun while you wait. The boat is your home for the day, as you get on and off throughout the adventure, voyaging to new reef spots to discover more marine life under the surface.

One of the best ways to see the Great Barrier reef is to snorkel. Spot colourful coral and astonishing sea life as you float along the ocean surface. Snorkelling is perfect for the whole family. It’s an easy and relaxing way to explore the underwater world without requiring expensive, bulky and confusing equipment. Plus, on a Great Barrier Reef tour you’ll be provided with snorkelling gear, so all you need to do is bring yourself and your bathers!

Ready to go deeper? Book in for a scuba dive. Whether you’re a certified diver or heading under for the first time we have a diving tour for you. This is perhaps the best way to explore the ocean floor, as you spend extended time amongst the fish and coral. Immerse yourself in the sea life as you discover hidden coral crevasses, swim along with fish, and even make a friend or two with the sea turtles.

Alternative adventures

There’s plenty of other experiences to be had at the Great Barrier Reef too, not just the traditional ones.

Not a swimmer? No worries! Enjoy this incredible reef system without so much as dipping a toe into the water. Glass-bottom boat tours include a small boat with a complete glass floor, perfect for seeing the world below.

If you don’t mind getting wet, boom netting is a great alternative to diving or snorkelling. Sitting in a large net at the back of a boat you’ll cruise through the water. Kick back and relax as the boat slowly pulls you through the water. Look out for larger marine animals swimming beside you, and watch the buzzing life of fish below the water.

Need more than one day? Easy! Liveaboard tours are perfect for you. Spend the weekend out on the sea, swimming and diving each day before returning to the boat overnight. These tours allow you to get further out over the reef and explore reefs further from the mainland.

There’s so much for you to see and do at the Great Barrier Reef that you simply must see it for yourself.

Related article: How to Explore the Great Barrier Reef?