Unforgettable moments at sea
As temptations go, it’s hard to go past Tropical North Queensland’s unique offerings: the world’s most extraordinary reef – dotted with tropical islands where the only sound is the waves lapping the shore (or a cocktail being mixed in the swim-up bar) – and pristine ocean bordered by kilometre-after-kilometre of white-sand perfection.
Start your adventure on the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. You could spend weeks exploring this amazing underwater universe, with its colourful coral gardens and bommies and its abundant marine life, from tropical fish to turtles, rays and even whales.
There are plenty of snorkelling and scuba-diving excursions to choose from, but that’s just the start. Non-swimmers will love the glass-bottomed boats that give you a window onto the reef, while thrillseekers might want to try helmet diving. Prefer staying above water? Set sail for a day or take a kayaking tour between Mission Beach and Dunk Island. Take to the skies in a heli or fixed wing aircraft for an unforgettable bird’s-eye view of all this unmatched beauty.
To make the most of your stay, book into one of the area’s tranquil oceanside retreats. From family-friendly apartments in Trinity Beach, north of Cairns, to a back-to-nature experience sleeping under canvas or one of Port Douglas’s fabled five-star resorts, an unforgettable experience awaits.
Reef Health
The health of the Great Barrier Reef is monitored very closely by both local operators and the Marine Park Authority. Currently the reef appears to be healthy and flourishing with only minor bleaching present in some areas.
Coral bleaching is a natural stress response and individual coral colonies are likely suffer from a degree of bleaching in any given summer and is not of major concern to scientists and marine biologists. However mass coral bleaching events can result in coral mortality. Luckily there are a number of initiatives underway to restore coral in areas that have experienced damage in recent years. Find out how you can help contribute to the health of the reef here.
Welcome to wonderland
Beautiful ocean and the world’s largest coral reef: dream holidays are made of this.
Everything you need to know about Master Reef Guides
Anyone who’s ever done an organised tour will know the host or tour guide can make or break the experience. That’s why it pays to book a Great Barrier Reef tour with one of the Master Reef Guides, the official ambassadors of the world’s most famous reef.
25 Fun facts about the Great Barrier Reef
As you’d expect from one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef is home to some weird, wonderful and just plain loveable creatures. Here’s 25 fun Great Barrier Reef facts about a marine world larger than Italy.
Diving 101 – Everything you need to know about scuba diving
Have you ever dreamed of scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef? Just imagine sinking down into the warm waters, exploring coral gardens and seeing this wondrous world through the eyes of a fish. Learning to scuba dive is easy and is your passport to a brave new world. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about learning to Scuba Dive.
This is what a day on the reef looks like
Ready to dive in? Pack your swimmers, hat and sunscreen. Quicksilver Cruises has you covered with all the rest.
Reef Talk – A chat with marine biologist Gareth Phillips
The Great Barrier Reef is a thriving, living marine environment. It inspires all who visit, even those who see it every day, like marine biologist and owner of Marine Discoveries, Gareth Phillips.
Swim with dwarf minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the only place in the world that you can swim with dwarf minke whales: an experience so exclusive it only happens for two months of the year and only in Tropical North Queensland.
12 Famous residents of the Great Barrier Reef
Only 12 residents? There’s probably a gazillion of them, but let’s start things slowly shall we. It’s not easy to keep track of every single one of the Great Barrier Reef’s inhabitants but here are some of the most famous ones in Tropical North Queensland.
Ways to help the great barrier reef
There’s a sense of responsibility that comes when you’re visiting one of the world’s seven wonders; a calling to nurture nature. If leaving only footprints (or fin waves in this case) is high on your priority list, here are some ways you can help the Great Barrier Reef during your next holiday.
Snorkel vs intro vs certified dive
Check out this handy guide to find your reef style – from donning a mask and snorkel or taking your very first dive, to unique diving experiences reserved for certified divers.
Everything you need to know about Fitzroy Island
If you want proof not all Great Barrier Reef islands are born equal, pay a visit to the supermodel of the island world, Fitzroy Island.
7 reasons to book a liveaboard diving experience in Tropical North Queensland
With over 2,300km of reefs, sand cays and islands to explore, extend your reef experience from one night to up to one week with a liveaboard diving trip.
Explore attractions
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cairns northern beaches
Divers Den
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accessible
Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises
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cairns northern beaches
Spirit Of Freedom
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accessible
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
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accessible
Quicksilver Cruises
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cairns northern beaches
Pro Dive Cairns
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cairns northern beaches
Fitzroy Island Adventures
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eco certified
Wavedancer Low Isles Cruises
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accessible
Reef Magic Cruises
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cairns northern beaches
Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Adventures
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boat tours
Spirit of Cairns
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cairns northern beaches
Ocean Spirit Michaelmas Cay Cruises
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accessible
Calypso Reef Cruises
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accessible
Sunlover Reef Cruises
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cairns northern beaches
Down Under Cruise and Dive
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cairns northern beaches
Nautilus Aviation
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diving
Sailaway Port Douglas
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cairns northern beaches
Passions of Paradise
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cairns northern beaches
Ocean Freedom – Personal Snorkel & Dive
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Frankland Islands Reef Cruises
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cairns northern beaches
Coral Expeditions | Great Barrier Reef
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cairns northern beaches
Skytrans Airlines
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daintree cape tribulation
Ocean Safari
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diving
Mission Beach Dive
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camping
Mission Beach Dunk Island Water Taxi
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adventure
No Limit Adventures
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diving
Reef Daytripper
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cairns northern beaches
Ocean Free – Sail to Green Island & the Great Barrier Reef
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cairns northern beaches
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
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dive sites
The Point Dive Site
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conservation
Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef
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dive sites
Twin Peaks Dive Site
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dive sites
Tijou Reef Dive Site
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Three Sisters Dive Site
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Thetford Reef Dive Site
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cairns northern beaches
YOTSPACE Ocean Odysseys – Great Barrier Reef
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dive sites
The Oasis Dive Site
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dive sites
Steve’s Bommie Dive Site
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Southern Small Detached Reef Dive Site
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Snake Pit Dive Site
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Silver City Dive Site
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Pixie Pinnacle Dive Site
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Nursery Bommie Dive Site
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North Horn Dive Site
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Dunk Island
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cairns northern beaches
Cairns Dive Adventures
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boat tours
Coral Sea Dreaming Dive and Sail
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dive sites
RMS Quetta
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beaches
Wangetti Beach
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great barrier reef ocean
Hinchinbrook Island National Park
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great barrier reef ocean
Goold Island National Park
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cape york
Haggerstone Island
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dive sites
Tijou Reef
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dive sites
Agincourt Reef
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dive sites
Low Isles
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cairns northern beaches
Zoom Helicopters
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dive sites
Two Towers Dive Site
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Whale Bommie Dive Site
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Wreck Bay Dive Site
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dive sites
Bedarra Island
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cairns northern beaches
Fitzroy Island
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dive sites
Castle Rock Dive Site
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dive sites
Norman Reef Dive Site
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Beaver Reef Dive Site
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Barracuda Bommie Dive Site
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Around The Bend Dive Site
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Admiralty Dive Site
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Green Island
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cape york
Lizard Island
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dive sites
Bougainville Reef Dive Site
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cairns northern beaches
Green Island National Park
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great barrier reef
Frankland Group National Park
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cairns northern beaches
Fitzroy Island National Park
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dive sites
Turtle Bommie
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Northern Great Barrier Reef
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Vlasoff Cay
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Raine Island
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Great Detached Reef
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Fitzroy Island Dive Site
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Monolith Dive Site
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Michaelmas Reef Dive Site
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Lighthouse Bommie Dive Site
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Lady Bowen Dive Site
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Jorgey’s Patch Dive Site
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Holmes Reef Dive Site
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Green Island Dive Site
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Frankland Islands Dive Site
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Challenger Bay Dive Site
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Fish Bowl Dive Site
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False Entrance Dive Site
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Eddy Reef Dive Site
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boat tours
Peddells Thursday Island Tours
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dive sites
Coral Gardens Dive Site, Flynn Reef
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Cod Hole Dive Site
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dive sites
Cobia Hole Dive Site
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Clam Gardens Dive Site
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boat tours
Scuba IQ
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boat tours
Wavelength Reef Cruises – Full Day Outer Reef Snorkel Tour
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boat tours
ABC Snorkel Charters
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accessible
Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
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