Visiting the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef runs along the Queensland coast, made up of thousands of individual reefs and hundreds of islands. It was World Heritage listed in 1981 and is protected within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Most visitors see it on a day trip from the coast, but you can also stay on islands, take liveaboard dive trips or fly over it.

Choosing a gateway

Cairns. The biggest gateway, with an international airport and the widest range of day trips to outer reefs and islands such as Green Island and Fitzroy Island. Good for first-timers and divers.

Port Douglas. An hour or so north of Cairns, with a relaxed resort feel and boat trips to outer reefs, including the Low Isles. Close to the Daintree Rainforest.

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. The base for sailing trips around the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach and reefs in the area. Ideal if you want beaches and boats as well as coral.

The southern reef. Towns such as Bundaberg, Gladstone and Agnes Water give access to coral cays such as Lady Elliot Island and Heron Island, known for turtles and manta rays.

Townsville and Magnetic Island. Home to the reef aquarium and research institutions, with access to reefs and wrecks offshore.

Best time to visit

The reef is a year-round destination, but conditions vary:

• June to October: the dry season. Milder temperatures, lower humidity and generally good conditions.
• November to May: warmer water and more chance of rain, storms and tropical cyclones, especially in the north. This is also when dangerous marine stingers are most common.

Read the best time to visit for more.

Ways to see the reef

Snorkelling

The most popular option. Most day trips to outer reef pontoons or moorings include snorkelling gear, and many provide guided snorkel tours.

Scuba diving

You can try an introductory dive without certification on many trips, with an instructor. Certified divers can choose from day trips and multi-day liveaboards to more remote reefs. Check that your travel insurance covers diving.

Glass-bottom boats and semi-submersibles

Good for non-swimmers, young children and anyone who prefers to stay dry.

Scenic flights

Helicopter and light aircraft flights reveal the scale of the reef, including famous formations such as Heart Reef in the Whitsundays.

Island stays

Islands such as Lady Elliot, Heron, Green and Fitzroy let you snorkel from the beach and see the reef at quieter times.

Stingers and safety

Box jellyfish and Irukandji jellyfish are found in tropical waters, mainly in the warmer months, often from around October to May. They can be dangerous. Wear a full-body stinger suit, which most tour operators provide, and follow the crew's advice. Learn basic first aid: vinegar is used on tropical jellyfish stings, as recommended by Surf Life Saving Australia.

Other tips:

• Use flotation devices if you are not a confident swimmer.
• Tell the crew about any medical conditions.
• Take seasickness precautions for outer reef trips.

The Environmental Management Charge

Tour operators collect an Environmental Management Charge on behalf of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It helps fund reef management and is usually included in your ticket price.

Protecting the reef

The reef faces pressures including climate change, coral bleaching, water quality and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. Monitoring by the Australian Institute of Marine Science tracks coral cover over time. You can help:

• Choose eco-certified operators.
• Never touch, stand on or collect coral or marine life.
• Follow marine park zoning rules if you fish or boat independently.
• Take your rubbish with you.

How long to spend

A single day trip gives you a good taste of the reef, but two or three days lets you combine an outer reef trip with an island visit, a scenic flight or a rainforest day. Divers often choose liveaboard trips of several days to reach more remote reefs. If weather cancels a trip, a spare day in your plan gives you a second chance.

What to bring

Pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a towel, swimwear and a change of clothes. Many operators provide snorkel gear, wetsuits or stinger suits, flotation devices and lunch. An underwater camera or a waterproof phone case is worth having. Take seasickness medication before departure if you are prone to it, as outer reef crossings can be rough.

Children and non-swimmers

Many operators cater well for families, with shallow snorkel areas, flotation aids, guided snorkel tours, semi-submersibles and underwater observatories. Check age limits for introductory diving and helicopter flights.