Best Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef

One of the greatest sights in the world stretches along the coast of Queensland, Australia, and is known as the Great Barrier Reef. This is the largest coral reef system on the planet. It runs for a long 1400 miles along the coast and is formed of 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands. No wonder it is on the bucket list for many scuba divers!

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The Great Barrier Reef’s beauty is so magnanimous; it was recreated in the movie Finding Nemo. This movie brought the bright colors and plentiful marine creatures to life in such a way that no diver can resist having a look at it in real life!

The vivid coral, the fast-paced fish and the vast abundance shown are a clear representation of what you can truly find in this underwater world. Below, we will discuss the ins and outs of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the best places for divers to visit!

Why Dive in the Great Barrier Reef?

This is the world’s single biggest structure made up of living organisms. It is so gargantuan, it can be seen all the way up from outer space.

Its sheer size makes it a great place to visit as a diver; you are sure to see a variety of different sites within this single location. The Great Barrier Reef was named a World Heritage Site in 1981 and is also known as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

The reef is home to thousands and thousands of species of coral, fish and marine mammals. The sights make it a diver’s paradise, where they can discover new sights at every corner of their dive.

Is It Good For Beginners To Dive in the Great Barrier Reef?

With popular scuba diving destinations like the Great Barrier Reef, you are sure to find all levels of dive sites spotted along the reef. Some sites only cater to advanced divers, but there are many beautiful and colorful locations for beginners to dive, and even snorkel.

One of the best places for beginners to dive or even a place where you can learn to dive in Cairns. There are plenty of dive schools with great instructors in the area. The site does not miss out on any of the reef’s glory; you see the colorful coral, the bright fish, and even the occasional shark!

Is it Easy to Get There?

Yes. Australia has a large and thriving tourism industry, so it is very easily accessible. You can book a flight from practically anywhere to get to where you want to go. Hotels are also plentiful and you can get accommodation at every price range. Whether you are looking for a luxury vacation, or want to stay in hostels and are there purely for the dives, you’ll be able to find the right place for you.

Are There Good Dive Sites For Families?

The reef offers many good dive sites for families with expeditions that can last between 3 and 7 days. There are family tours available from beginner levels up to intermediate. Australia’s popularity with tourists and divers has made it well equipped with providing activities for families. It doesn’t just cater to strictly divers, but also families and people on vacation that want to experience the Great Barrier Reef up-close.

What Aquatic Life Can You Find?

With it being one of the most complex ecosystems in the world and at such a large scale, the Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of different flora and fauna species. The Great Barrier Reef gets its colorful look from all the beautiful coral and tiny fish that call it home. It is truly a breathtaking place to dive, especially in terms of the aquatic life around.

The reef is home to over 350 different hard coral species. Hard coral is what gives the reef its three-dimensional structure. These hard corals are what make the reef what it is; they are colorful and provide the base for the entire stretch.

Some of the coral species include bubble coral, brain coral, tabletop coral, mushroom coral, stag-horn coral, bottlebrush coral, and needle coral. Apart from hard coral, the reef is also home to a whopping 5000 different sponges; these sponges are essential to the reef’s ecosystem, providing it with nutrients and recycling its waste.

If you’re a fan of starfish, sea cucumbers and sea stars, you will love the variety of them at the reef. The Great Barrier Reef provides that perfect home for these creatures as they feed on the waste and help maintain the reef’s ecology. Similarly, there are clams, oysters, cuttlefish and 10,000 other species of mollusks at the reef. Don’t expect these creatures to be tiny and unnoticeable; the giant clam can weigh up to 500 lbs. The species also include many squid and octopuses.

When we talk about the fish species that can be seen by divers in the Great Barrier Reef, the options are bountiful. Over 1500 different species call the reef home; you can see everything from tiny clownfish and gobies to the large manta rays, tiger sharks and whale sharks. The beautifully blue damselfish, electrifyingly bright wrasse and the unique tusk fish are the most common species found on the reef. There are also other species that can be seen; butterflyfish, triggerfish, cowfish, pufferfish, angelfish, anemone fish, coral trout, seahorses, sea perch, sole, scorpionfish, hawkfish, and surgeonfish, to name a few.

There are plenty of sea turtles that can also be seen hanging around the reef. The 7 specific species that frequent the area include the leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, flatback turtle, Pacific Ridley turtle, loggerhead turtle, and the green turtle. Unfortunately, though, they are all classified as either venerable or endangered.

If you’re into spotting even larger animals, the reef is also home to dozens of species of dolphins and whales, including the humpback whale and bottlenose dolphins. The sights don’t stop there! The reef’s large varieties of flora attract the mystical Dugongs. They are large, white puffy looking creatures that are related to the manatee.

Finally, be careful of but don’t miss the beautiful variety of jellyfish that live in the area. There are over 100 different species of the stinging creatures that exist at the reef. They might be beautiful to look at, but be careful of their tentacles as a diver!

Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the Great Barrier Reef

SS Yongala

This wreck dive is of a steamship that lies 30m deep at the bottom of the reef. It is a bucket list dive for many experienced divers and is known as one of the world’s best wreck dives. This passenger ship sank during a cyclone it encountered in 1911 near Queensland, Australia. In this unfortunate accident, all 122 passengers aboard the ship lost their lives.

The ship is a coveted dive site because of how well preserved and large it is. Not only do you get to explore the greatness of the wreckage, but you are going to see a large variety of marine life in and around it. Divers can expect to see Giant marble rays, giant groupers, barracudas, sea snakes, turtles, and eagle rays, just to name a few.