Enjoy the view without diving in
Seen from under the water, the Great Barrier Reef is dazzling. Apart from the corals that come in all colours and shapes – purples and pinks, blues and yellows, spiky staghorns and delicate fan corals, brain corals and table corals – there is an endless array of marine life to marvel at, from tiny damselfish to imposing Maori wrasse, darting rays to curious turtles.
The good news is, you don’t need to dive in to enjoy the view. If you would rather stay dry, glass-bottom boat tours are a great way to open a window onto this enchanting world. Perfect for the less mobile or families with young children, these tours give crystal-clear views of what is happening beneath the surface, often with an expert commentator on hand.
Or consider a semi-submersible … sitting about a metre underwater and surrounded by glass, you’ll get a fish-eye view of the reef wonderland from these air-conditioned vessels. Divers and snorkellers don’t need to miss out on these boating adventures either: there are plenty of tours that incorporate both glass-bottom boats and semi-submersibles along with underwater exploration.
Through the looking glass
Discover what lies beneath the reef – and stay dry – on a glass-bottom boat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dreamy sand cays you must visit on the Great Barrier Reef
We’ve all seen those gorgeous wisps of whiteness poking out from an azure sea on Great Barrier Reef. But what are they? More importantly, where are they? And how can we get a piece of sand cay action? We’re here to reveal all.
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Reef Magic Cruises
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Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises
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Coral Expeditions | Great Barrier Reef
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Reef Sprinter
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