Outer Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and is on many people’s bucket lists.

The Great Barrier Reef is a remarkable and beautiful natural landmark off the coast of north east Queensland. The reef is over 2300 kilometres long with over 2900 individual reefs and about 900 islands.

What to do

There are many ways to explore and see the stunning Great Barrier Reef’s outer reefs. You can spend a full day or even weeks seeing this natural wonder of the world by exploring underwater, on a boat or from a bird’s eye view. The best way to get the most out of your time on the reef is by joining a tour!

• Snorkelling

  Snorkelling is a very popular activity people do when visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkelling allows you to look below you and spot the tropical fish, the colourful coral swaying, and other sea creatures. When you book a tour, there is a brief introductory class before you set off to a reef to snorkel on your own.

• Scuba diving

  Scuba diving allows you to go deeper into the water and allows you to swim along with many sea creatures. There are tours available which include a complimentary scuba dive, or you can include one at your own cost.

  If you’ve never been diving, there are introductory beginner diving classes where you’ll learn everything you need to know about diving.

• Helmet diving

  Helmet diving requires no swimming as you will be walking along the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef. Watch as all the marine life swim by you as you walk by the colourful coral.

  Helmet diving is available on some Great Barrier Reef tours, so make sure you book it to experience this activity during your visit.

• Glass bottom boat

  If you prefer not to get in the water, the glass bottom boat is the best way to still see everything the Great Barrier Reef offers. There is also the semi submarine which is a very similar experience to the glass bottom boat. Either option, you will keep dry and still have the chance to watch how incredible life is underwater.

• Scenic flights

  If you’re not afraid of heights, you can choose to go in a helicopter or a seaplane and get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful glistening blue water. On the flight, you see the different shades of blue, the beautiful golden or white beaches, and the lush green hills on the mainland.

  Some scenic flights include seeing Heart Reef, the stunning individual reef that is shaped like a heart.

The outer reefs

The Great Barrier Reef has many outer reefs where the guided tours will more than likely visit the popular ones. The outer reefs will grow from the ocean floor up and have better visibility which makes diving and snorkelling a lot easier.

• Norman Reef

  Norman Reef is a popular outer reef due to the clear water which allows snorkelling and diving to be easier. Quite often divers will want to visit Norman Reef while on a tour as this reef is one of the best diving experiences in the Great Barrier Reef.

• Saxon Reef

  Saxon Reef is one of the most visited reefs on the Great Barrier Reef. The reef has a great collection of coral and marine life that you can see for yourself from a range of water activities.

• Hastings Reef

  Hastings Reef is perfect for snorkelling as it’s a shallow reef with heaps of tropical fish and even larger sea creatures to spot. Hastings Reef is also shaped as a horseshoe!

The marine life

The outer reefs consist of some of the most thrilling marine life to see. There are over 9000 known species that call the Great Barrier Reef home, you can only imagine what you can see! From the vibrant tropical fish to sharks and turtles, there is so many that call the reef home.

• Sea turtles

  Sea turtles are one of the most sought after marine creatures to spot in the Great Barrier Reef. The green sea turtles are one of the most common sea turtles you can see gliding through the outer reefs and are spectacular to see.

• Reef sharks

  There are 180 species of sharks live on the Great Barrier Reef, but the white tip reef shark is the most common on the outer reefs. There is no need to fear these types of sharks as they won’t be aggressive unless provoked. If you do happen to see one, they will simply swim by you without taking much notice!

• Stingrays

  Some of the outer reefs often have stingrays that fly through the waters. You’ll be lucky enough to see them sitting at the bottom of the reefs. During breeding or migrating season, you’ll likely see a lot more together, otherwise it’s generally one by itself.

• Fish

  A favourite fish among the crew is the clown fish, commonly known as Nemo! But there are plenty of other interesting fish from parrotfish, angelfish, and the giant humphead Maori wrasse.

• Whales

  Whales are usually only spotted during winter when they migrate. You will often see minke whales and humpback whales migrating to the warmer waters in June through to September.

• Dolphins

  You can spot dolphins all year round at the Great Barrier Reef. Different types of dolphins swim through the reef, with the spinner dolphins being the most common on the outer reefs. These types of dolphins travel in large groups and love to jump and spin out of the water.

• Dugong

  A dugong is a large marine mammal that lives in the Great Barrier Reef and can eat up to 30 kilograms of seagrass each day! A dugong prefers to keep to themselves, but you can sometimes see them in pairs.