The Great Barrier Reef
Said to be the world’s largest living structure and the only one visible from outer space, the World Heritage listed
Great Barrier Reef
is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The Whitsundays region benefits from being located as the closest point off the
Queensland
coast to the
Great Barrier Reef
, which ensures it is the ideal hub from which to explore this aquatic wonderland.
Stretching over 2000 kilometres in length, the Great Barrier Reef protects the
Whitsunday
Coast
and
Islands
from huge ocean swells providing the region with some of the safest cruising grounds in the world.
If diving is your passion, then this is your paradise. Home to tens of thousands of species of brilliantly coloured fish, coral and other marine life including whales, dolphins and turtles enjoy the diversity of your underwater playground. Local companies are able to cater for every skill level from novice to dive master.
If snorkelling is more your style, then the warm shallow waters of the Whitsundays provide some of the most colourful fish and coral formations anywhere in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Or stay dry, and enjoy the reef views from an underwater viewing chamber, glass bottom boat and coral semi-submersible. The Whitsundays offers the only opportunity to spend a night in a hotel room right on the
Great Barrier Reef
! There is definitely a reef experience on offer for everyone.
Travel to the outer reef via ultra fast, ultramodern catamarans, boats, seaplanes and helicopters which all depart daily from both the islands and Whitsunday coast.
The Whitsundays also has some of the best fishing in
Queensland
. Charter Vessels operating out of
Shute
Harbour
,
Airlie
Beach
and
Hamilton
Island
offer a variety of trips to the rich waters of the outer
Great Barrier Reef
chasing, tuna, mackerel and coral trout, or tagging and releasing sailfish and the legendary Black Marlin.
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REEF CRUISES
Extend your reef experiences with a variety of cruises from tallships and sailing yachts to the 'Reef Odyssey' luxury mini cruise ship with staterooms ? each allows you to spend more time to explore the islands and Outer Barrier Reef. With options from a few days to a week you can see the highlights of Whitehaven Beach and head out to navigate the amazing Reef River ? the channel dividing the main reefs ? and snorkel and dive at your leisure. From youthful adventure to the creature comforts of a luxury cruiser there is a boat and a cruise for you.
REEF SLEEP
With a cast of thousands of stars your night on the reef is always going to be a special experience. Fantasea's Reefworld provides comfortable accommodation for a handful of guests seeking something truly different. An al fresco tropical dinner accompanied by a galaxy of stars that you'll never see in the city make this a night to remember. And morning brings all the more time to explore the reef and make more discoveries snorkelling and diving.
DAY CRUISES
Day cruises of varying sizes provide the chance to experience Queensland's underwater treasure trove. Fantasea is the largest of the Whitsunday operators and its vessels depart from Shute Harbour, collecting guests from Daydream, South Molle, Long, Lindeman and Hamilton Islands enroute to Hardy Reef where Fantasea's Reefworld pontoon is permanently moored. From the pontoon visitors can step below the water's surface into the Underwater Observatory - a 50 seat viewing chamber that provides a window into the world of the reef. Another way to see the reef without getting wet at Reefworld is aboard Fantasea's semi-submersible which navigates through the channels of the reef for a tour of the coral creations.
Of course, the best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef is by taking the plunge and donning a snorkel to explore the underwater terrain of corals from huge bommies to delicate spans of plate coral and the skeletal shapes of staghorn varieties. Make your own discoveries of clams and starfish, urchins and sea cucumbers, anemones and clown fish, manta rays and turtles and the tens of thousands of brilliantly coloured fish. Go deeper and explore the coral caverns on a scuba dive and take away some unforgettable experiences.
Cruise Whitsundays also operates day cruises to the reef. Their 37-metre wave piercer 'Seaflight' departs daily from Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach, Daydream Island, South Molle Island and Hayman Island (by arrangement). 'Seaflight' embarks for their spacious and innovative new pontoon at Knuckle Reef Lagoon, acclaimed as the region's most spectacular Great Barrier Reef site. Here visitors can dive, snorkel or view the reef from Queensland's largest and most spectacular underwater observatory. There is also a unique giant waterslide, snorkelling Reef Safari's and regular 'Subsea Adventure' and glass bottom boat excursions. Cruise Whitsundays also operates day cruises to South Molle and Daydream Islands, as well as a high-speed sailing adventure to Whitehaven Beach aboard 'Camira', one of the world's fastest sailing catamarans.
SCUBA DIVING
The Whitsundays offers a wealth of scuba diving options, whether you are an experienced diver seeking out new sites or a keen novice wanting to gain new skills. Dive courses are available from operators on the mainland and some of the island resorts. A variety of day cruises offer diving on the reef or join one of the dive expedition boats from tallships to luxury launches for a few days of cruising the Whitsundays and diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
SCENIC FLIGHTS
You might be in a helicopter fitted with floats or a seaplane but from your bird's-eye-view in the air, the spectacle of the reef unfolds with all the intricate patterns of its mosaic of coral formations. Amidst this stunning scenery one shape emerges from out of the blue, a reef in the shape of a heart. It's a romantic addition to your visit to Hardy Reef or take a special picnic where you know there won't be anyone else to disturb you on your own reef atoll for the day.
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