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The Best Things to Do in Great Barrier Reef

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Top attractions in Great Barrier Reef

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World heritage site · Scuba / Snorkeling
Scuba & Snorkeling , Cairns
4.2
Cross snorkeling or diving the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef off your bucket list by joining a guided tour from Cairns. With a var
Tours from $64
©
World heritage site · Scuba / Snorkeling
Scuba & Snorkeling , Port Douglas
4.8
Get to know the secrets of the marine life-rich Great Barrier Reef on a scuba or snorkeling tour from Port Douglas. Accompanied by an expert
Tours from $216
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World heritage site · Scuba / Snorkeling
Scuba & Snorkeling , Airlie Beach
3.8
Cruise the turquoise waters of Whitsunday Passage before slipping beneath the sparkling ocean surface in search of colorful marine life on a
Tours from $108
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Safari
Safaris , Port Douglas
4.9
We suggest booking in advance.Select from 9 top choices.
Tours from $23
Esplanade Boardwalk ©
Hiking Trail
Esplanade Boardwalk , Cairns
4.7
Esplanade Boardwalk provides a beautiful setting for a stroll, jog, or bike ride. Along the 800 m (0.5 mi) boardwalk, take in views of Trinit

Recommended Great Barrier Reef tours

FROM $129 BOOK WITH VIATOR Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
4.5
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $129 »
FROM $135 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns
4.4
Duration: 7 hours
Tours from $135 »
FROM $167 BOOK WITH VIATOR Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise from Cairns
4.7
Duration: 9 hours
Tours from $167 »
Trip Planner :  South Pacific  /  Australia  /  Queensland  /  Great Barrier Reef  /  Things to do in Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

4.5
Scuba & Snorkeling · Beaches · Water Sports
The world's largest coral reef system, the world's largest structure built by living organisms, and one of CNN's "Seven Natural Wonders of the World," tops the itineraries of most visitors to Australia. You can see the reef system--which includes over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands spanning 2,600 km (1,600 mi) and covering 344,400 sq km (133,000 sq mi)--from outer space. Get a bit closer with a snorkeling or scuba diving tour departing from Cairns. Many companies operate out of the city, but make sure you choose one that's a member of the Australian government's High Standard Tourism Program, signifying a commitment to sustainable tourism. Choose a day tour for an introduction to the reef system or fully immerse yourself on a multiday trip on a live-aboard boat. However long you opt at the reef, you'll return with memories of a vibrant underwater world and improved knowledge of the ecological importance of reef systems. Plan the details of your Great Barrier Reef holiday and any onward adventuring with our easy-to-use Australia trip itinerary builder tool.

Kid-friendly things to do in Great Barrier Reef

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Whitehaven Beach ©
Beach
Whitehaven Beach
Whitsunday Island
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Four Mile Beach ©
Beach
Four Mile Beach
Port Douglas
4.4
Duration: 4 hours
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas ©
Zoo
Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas
Port Douglas
4.3
Duration: 1h 30 min
Palm Cove Beach ©
Beach
Palm Cove Beach
Palm Cove
4.5
Duration: 2 hours

Wildlife in Great Barrier Reef

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©
Nature / Wildlife Tour
Nature & Wildlife Tours
Cairns
4.7
Duration: 8 hours
Dolphin / Whale Watching
Dolphin & Whale Watching
Cairns
4.8
Duration: 4 hours
©
Scuba / Snorkeling
Scuba & Snorkeling
Hamilton Island
4.6
Duration: 4 hours
Australian Sunset Safaris Day Tours
Safari
Australian Sunset Safaris Day Tours
Fraser Island
4.5
Duration: 2 hours

Nature in Great Barrier Reef

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Lake McKenzie ©
World heritage site
Lake McKenzie
Fraser Island
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Central Station Rainforest ©
World heritage site
Central Station Rainforest
Fraser Island
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Indian Head ©
Water Body
Indian Head
Fraser Island
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Lake Birrabeen ©
Water Body
Lake Birrabeen
Fraser Island
4.8
Duration: 2 hours

Hidden gems in Great Barrier Reef

Hill Inlet ©
Water Body
Hill Inlet
Whitsunday Island
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Seventy-Five Mile Beach ©
World heritage site
Seventy-Five Mile Beach
Fraser Island
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
The Deep Retreat : Deep Yoga Studio : Deep Pilates Studio ©
Onsen Resort
The Deep Retreat : Deep Yoga Studio : Deep Pilates Studio
Port Douglas
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Eli Creek ©
Water Body
Eli Creek
Fraser Island
4.5
Duration: 2 hours

Beaches in Great Barrier Reef

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The Strand ©
Beach
The Strand
Townsville
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Airlie Beach Lagoon ©
Beach
Airlie Beach Lagoon
Airlie Beach
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Catseye Beach ©
Beach
Catseye Beach
Hamilton Island
4.4
Duration: 4 hours
Grays Bay
Beach
Grays Bay
Bowen
5.0
Duration: 1h 30 min

Featured attractions

Tour Townsville ©
Historical Tour
Tour Townsville
Townsville
4.9
Duration: 4 hours
Whitsunday Luxury Sailing Holiday ©
Multi-day Tour
Whitsunday Luxury Sailing Holiday
Hamilton Island
4.7
Duration: 8 hours
Monsoon Port Douglas - Day Tour ©
Scuba / Snorkeling
Monsoon Port Douglas - Day Tour
Port Douglas
4.3
Duration: 4 hours
Esplanade Boardwalk ©
Hiking Trail
Esplanade Boardwalk
Cairns
4.7
Duration: 2 hours

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Places to visit in Great Barrier Reef

Port DouglasTrip planner BEST FOR: Scuba / Snorkeling, Water Sport, Safari CairnsTrip planner BEST FOR: Scuba / Snorkeling, Hiking Trail, Water Sport Fraser IslandTrip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Water Body, Safari Airlie BeachTrip planner BEST FOR: Scuba / Snorkeling, Waterskiing / Jetskiiing, Beach Hamilton IslandTrip planner BEST FOR: Scuba / Snorkeling, Marina, Beach

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Where to stay in Great Barrier Reef

Esplanade Boardwalk ©
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Recently planned trips to Great Barrier Reef

9 days in Australia BY A USER FROM ROMANIA Sydney Cairns 60 days in Australia & Belgium BY A USER FROM BELGIUM Perth Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Melbourne 1 day in Port Douglas BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Monsoon Port Douglas - Day Tour Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery Mossman Gorge Centre 2 days in Port Douglas BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Safaris Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery Mossman Gorge Centre 15 days in Australia BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Perth Dardanup Denmark 8 days in South Pacific BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Sydney Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Port Douglas 23 days in New South Wales & Queensland BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Katoomba Sydney Brisbane 15 days in Australia BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Port Douglas Cape Tribulation 12 days in Whitsundays BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Hamilton Island Daydream Island Airlie Beach 12 days in Whitsundays BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Hamilton Island Airlie Beach Daydream Island 12 days in Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island & Whitsunday Island BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Airlie Beach Hamilton Island Whitsunday Island 11 days in Whitsundays & Cairns BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Airlie Beach Hamilton Island Cairns
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