Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral formation, located off the Pacific coast of Queensland in north-eastern Australia. One of the seven wonders of the world and a World Heritage Site, Great Barrier Reef boasts a spectacular array of marine life and offers awesome scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities.

Great Barrier Reef encompasses 350,000 square kilometres of area and features an eco-system that supports a huge concentration of 1,500 species of fish, 350 types of corals, 4,000 species of mollusks and 10,000 species of sponges. Besides, sharks, dolphins, turtles and migrating whales also dot the region.

Scuba diving at Great Barrier Reef:

Scuba diving has been a big attraction of Great Barrier Reef throughout but in the recent years, the number of tourists eager to undertake at the site has skyrocketed. The stunning coral and rich marine lives coupled with warm water temperature and amazing visibility has made the region all the more popular among divers of all levels, be a beginner or an expert.

Diving training:

A lot of diving schools at Cairns offer training in scuba diving. One can be a good diver just with a little knowledge and care. It is important that one uses the air stored in his tank judiciously so that it lasts a little extra and the diver enjoys a little more. There are even advanced courses that continue for a week and include classroom instruction and underwater dive in a pool followed by real time experience in the sea. Once conferred with the scuba diving certificate, you are fit to explore any site across the world.

Gear:

Mask, snorkel, fins and boots are the minimum requirements needed for scuba diving.

Safety:

The safety standards in scuba diving in North Queensland are one of the best in the world. The divers are professional and skilled and the safety norms of scuba diving here are strictly abided by.

Diving Sites:

• The Inter-Reef Gardens (accessible by day boats and feature safe shallow. Tongu Reef, Upolu Bay are some of the diving localities)
• The Outer Reefs (Agincourt Reef, Arlington Reef, Briggs Reef and others)
• The Far Northern Reefs (Ribbon Reef #3, Ribbon Reef #9, Ribbon Reef #10, Cobia Hole, Snake Pit and others)
• The Coral Sea (Bougainville Reef, Osprey Reef, Holmes Reef).This particular reef is diving difficult.

Accommodation:

• Northern Beaches
  Sebel Reef House and The Reef Retreat (Palm Cove), On the Beach (Trinity Beach)
• Cairns
  Hotel Cairns, Balinese Motel, Heritage Cairns, Bay Village Tropical Retreat, Holiday Inn Cairns, Cairns Queenslander Apartments, Mantra Esplanade Cairns
• Cairns Resort
  The Lakes Resort, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Green Island Resort
• Port Douglas
  Regal Port Douglas, Bay Villas Resort, Parrot Fish Lodge

Live aboard Diving Tips:

• Outer Barrier Reef Liveaboard Trips
• Coral Sea Liveaboard Trips
• Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Liveaboard Trips