Reef diving in Australia especially on the Great Barrier Reef is an experience most divers have dreamed about, but few take the opportunity. The reef itself has long held the reputation of being one of the most popular places on the planet to dive – the rich abundance of underwater animal life and the easy access to many parts of the reef are two reasons why divers head to the area in their thousands every year.
Here are some facts about the Great Barrier Reef that will convince you to go reef diving:
• It is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2 900 individual reefs and 900 islands.
• The Reef stretches for 2600 kilometres down the coast of Queensland.
• CNN has included it on their list of the seven natural wonders of the world, and it was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
• Most of it is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps reduce the impact of fishing and tourism and protect the numerous endangered species that call it home.
• 215 species of bird are attracted to the reef or nest in its islands.
• Salt water crocodiles live in mangrove and saltmarshes on the coast near the reefs northerly reaches.
• More than 1,500 species of fish live on the reef, including the clownfish, red bass, red-throat emperor, and several species of snapper and coral trout.
• Four hundred species of corals, both hard corals and soft corals are found on the reef.
There are a wide range of dive sites along the Great Barrier Reef, there are calm, protected, shallow spots around the islands, perfect for first-timers, there are gentle reef sites, rich in fish life and corals and the deeper sites on the outer reefs for those with some experience. All sites are best reached by boat ranging from luxury cruisers to spectacular sail boats. For those visitors who have never put their head under the water, but want to see if they can enjoy snorkelling or diving, there are excellent one-day, first-time dive trips. Diving from Cairns offers a truly unique reef experience for the traveller who seeks a more personalised and relaxed approach to exploring the Great Barrier Reef by mask, snorkel and fins.
What to see in Southern Queensland are sandstone formations covered with hard and soft corals, numerous ledges, caves, pinnacles and gutters to explore. Depending on the site: tropical fish, crayfish, sea urchins, anemones, bat fish, mackerel, starfish, sea whips, gorgonians, turtles, stingrays, nudibranches, spanish dancers, cowries, coral trout, small groper and bottom dwelling sharks such as wobbegongs.
There are a wide range of dive sites along the Great Barrier Reef, there are calm, protected, shallow spots around the islands, perfect for first-timers, there are gentle reef sites, rich in fish life and corals and the deeper sites on the outer reefs for those with some experience. All sites are best reached by boat ranging from luxury cruisers to spectacular sail boats. For those visitors who have never put their head under the water, but want to see if they can enjoy snorkelling or diving, there are excellent one-day, first-time dive trips. Diving from Cairns offers a truly unique reef experience for the traveller who seeks a more personalised and relaxed approach to exploring the Great Barrier Reef by mask, snorkel and fins.
What to see in Southern Queensland are sandstone formations covered with hard and soft corals, numerous ledges, caves, pinnacles and gutters to explore. Depending on the site: tropical fish, crayfish, sea urchins, anemones, bat fish, mackerel, starfish, sea whips, gorgonians, turtles, stingrays, nudibranches, spanish dancers, cowries, coral trout, small groper and bottom dwelling sharks such as wobbegongs.
If you plan to go reef diving in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is a must-see you cannot let pass.
Article source: Expert Articles
