About the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth: 2,900 individual reefs, 900 islands, and 344,400 square kilometres of ocean off the Queensland coast. It's been around for roughly 20,000 years in its current form, though coral reef systems have existed in the area for around 20 million years. It is large enough to be seen from space and bigger than the UK, Holland, and Switzerland combined. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and has been one of the most studied and documented ecosystems on the planet ever since.
It is also, genuinely, as good as everyone says it is. The photos don't oversell it. If anything they undersell it, because no photo properly captures what it's like to be in the water with it.
Things to do at the Great Barrier Reef
- Snorkel the outer reef on a day cruise from Cairns or Port Douglas
- Scuba dive with a certified guide or do your PADI Open Water course on the reef
- Take a liveaboard dive trip to the Coral Sea for 2 to 3 nights
- Visit Green Island for a reef and rainforest day trip close to Cairns
- Take a scenic helicopter flight over the Heart Reef
- Go hot air ballooning over the Cairns hinterland with reef views in the distance
Great Barrier Reef tours from Cairns and Port Douglas
Cairns is the main gateway to the reef and has the widest range of operators and price points: budget day trips, premium small-group cruises, liveaboard dive expeditions, and learn-to-dive packages. Port Douglas is about 70km north and offers a shorter boat ride to the outer reef with its own excellent operators running trips to Agincourt Reef and the Low Isles.
Tours start from $99 and scale up depending on the experience: a budget day trip gets you to the reef and back with snorkelling included; a liveaboard gives you 2 to 3 nights on the water with multiple dives per day at sites most people never reach. Both are worth it for different reasons. Browse the full range above or talk to our team if you're not sure which option suits you best.
Frequently asked questions about the Great Barrier Reef
What is the Great Barrier Reef?
It's the world's largest coral reef ecosystem: 2,900 reefs, 900 islands, home to 1,500 species of fish, one third of the world's soft corals, and 30 species of marine mammals including turtles, dolphins, and whales. It's one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also, for the record, larger than the Great Wall of China.
Where is the Great Barrier Reef?
In the Coral Sea off the north-eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. The best access point is Cairns, where reef day trips depart daily and put you on the outer reef within about an hour. Port Douglas, about 70km north of Cairns, is the other main departure point and is actually closer to some of the better outer reef sections.
How big is the Great Barrier Reef?
344,400 square kilometres, which makes it bigger than the UK, Holland, and Switzerland combined. It stretches roughly 2,300km along the Queensland coast. It is, genuinely, visible from space, which is the kind of fact that sounds like an exaggeration until you look it up.
How old is the Great Barrier Reef?
Coral reef systems have existed in this area for around 20 million years. The current reef structure in its modern form is much younger, roughly 20,000 years old, shaped significantly by rising sea levels after the last ice age. It's ancient by any human measure, which makes the bleaching issue feel all the more urgent.
What's the difference between the inner and outer reef?
The inner reef sits closer to shore and is generally shallower with more coral rubble and less dramatic marine life. The outer reef is further out (longer boat ride, occasionally choppier crossing) but the coral is more intact, visibility is better, and the marine life is significantly more impressive. Most day trips from Cairns and Port Douglas go to the outer reef. If you're spending a full day on the water, the outer reef is worth the extra travel time.
What's the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef?
June to October is the dry season and the best conditions overall: lower humidity, calmer seas, and better visibility on the reef. November to May is wet season with higher humidity and some choppier days, but also fewer crowds and lower prices. Stinger season runs roughly November to May so wear a stinger suit in the water during those months. Tours provide them. The reef runs year-round and is worth visiting regardless of when you go.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer to visit the reef?
No. Most reef tours provide flotation devices and wetsuits (which add buoyancy), and guides are in the water with the group. If you're not confident in open water, tell the crew before you get in and they'll look after you. Non-swimmers can see the reef via glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible on some tours. Don't let swimming ability be the reason you skip the Great Barrier Reef.
Can you swim at the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes. Snorkelling and swimming are the most common ways to experience it and are considered safe when you follow tour guide instructions and any signage at the site. Wear a stinger suit during stinger season (November to May), stay within designated areas, and don't touch the coral. Your operator will run through all of this before you get in the water.
Is the reef still worth visiting given bleaching?
Yes, genuinely. Bleaching has affected parts of the reef and it would be dishonest to pretend otherwise. But the outer reef sections accessible from Cairns and Port Douglas have recovered well and the experience of snorkelling or diving there is still spectacular. The coral formations are impressive, the marine life is abundant, and the visibility is excellent on a good day. Go now rather than waiting for a perfect version. The reef is still one of the great natural experiences on Earth.
How much does it cost to visit the Great Barrier Reef?
There's an Environmental Management Charge (reef tax) payable per person per day on the reef, on top of your tour cost. Day trips start from $99 with Backpackers World and scale up depending on the operator, the boat, and how far out you go. Liveaboard dive trips are priced separately. Talk to our team for current pricing and availability.
