A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of booking a trip with Sightseeing Tours Australia to go on their Great Barrier Reef tour. In such a huge expanse of water, one day is truly not enough to explore the underwater world that lies beneath but nevertheless, it was an amazing experience either way! If you do have more time however I recommend spending some time on a reef liveaboard tour so that you can get in some night dives as well.
The great thing about tours like the one that Sightseeing Tours Australia offers is that you travel to the outer reefs, which I think makes it a more exclusive service considering that they have beautiful reefs which aren't visited by many people.
credit: Carles RabadaNow on to the tour! You'll travel on a catamaran to the outer reef sites Breaking Patches and Hastings Reef which takes around 3 hours to get to. Once you get to the reef site, you have about 5 hours to explore the gorgeous coral beneath, either on the surface of the water by snorkelling or diving down.
A day trip out on the Great Barrier Reef can really add up cost-wise so you want to make sure you're getting the most for your money. I like this tour personally as all reef fees and taxes are included in the price of the tour so you don't need to worry about that on the reef.
I would recommend giving snorkelling a go before you dive and just get a feel for the water and learning the basics. There's even a staff member who will be watching the snorkelling area so if you're a little concerned about being in the water, that should hopefully make you feel more relaxed! You'll learn about the flotation devices you'll use, as well as all the equipment needed (which is supplied to you).
Diving is a great experience as well, it allows you to get up close and personal with the coral but do keep in mind that you won't be able to dive and then fly within 24 hours as the changes in pressure can give you Decompression sickness. Yes, it most definitely is a real thing that you should note when booking your tour. That leap of faith from the boat into the water, where you usually will have to swim for a little before you reach the reef may seem intimidating but it's so worth it the moment you catch your first glance at the magical coral and friendly, colourful fishes.
But maybe you don't want to get wet during this day trip, what else can you do and is it even worth going to the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes, of course it is!
This is where the glass bottom boat tours come in. On the tour I went on, it was an optional add on but even then it was only $15 Australian Dollars so still quite cheap. It's a smaller boat that takes you out over the water with a glass floor, meaning you can see the beautiful fish underneath without ever getting into the water. It really is the best of both worlds- no pun intended!
A trip to the Great Barrier Reef is an amazing life experience as you traverse the waters of the world's largest reef system. No matter if you snorkel, dive or take a glass-bottom boat tour, you too can explore the magical underwater world and marine life that have to be seen to be believed!
Recommended Tour: Great Barrier Reef Tour
