Swimming in the Great Barrier Reef Best Water Activities in Australia
Touring in Australia Swim with the Great Barrier Reef ultimate bucket list experience. It is the world’s largest coral system reef and UNESCO World Heritage icon, extending over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast.
Imagine yourself on a once in a lifetime underwater adventure, floating in warm clear ocean waters amongst vibrant coral gardens, sea turtles and clown fish. Your essential guide to safe fun in the water, whether you are a confident swimmer or trying out flotation gear for the first time.
Why do this activity?
• The World’s Largest Living Structure: snorkel amongst thousands of unique marine species including green sea turtles, giant clams and reef sharks (harmless).
• Swimming for Everyone: Tour boats provide life jackets, foam noodles, and guided snorkel tours so that anyone can swim with ease.
• Ocean visibility is crystal clear Visibility at the outer reef sites is excellent for easy viewing of deep coral drop-offs underwater.
What You Can Experience
1. Boat dive and Outer Reef pontoon
Highlights: Easy access to deep water swimming over massive coral formations as tour boats go out to the outer reef platforms.
2. Snorkeling with Tropical Fish and Turtles
Highlights: Fly over shallow coral bombies full of parrot fish, clown fish (Nemo) and friendly Maori wrass.
3. Island Shores (Fitzroy & Green Islands) Swimming.
Highlights: Wade into calm shallow waters from soft sandy beaches and swim across coral fringing reefs.
When do you do this?
• Dry Season (May-October) Warm, sunny weather, little rain, calm seas and great water clarity provide excellent swimming conditions.
• Wet Season (November to April): Warm water temperatures (around 28-30 degrees Celsius) Stinger suit months for safe swimming.
Location & Contacts
• Leaving from: Cairns Marina and Port Douglas Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. Daily service.
• Whitsundays & Hamilton Island: Great bases to begin exploring Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef by sea.
Fast catamarans make the trip out to the outer reef swimming sites in 45 to 90 minutes.
Travel tips you need to know
1. Lycra Stinger Suit. Always wear the full body suit that the boat crews give out, especially from November through May.
2. Use Reef-Safe Mineral Sunscreen Chemical sunscreens kill living corals. Apply reef safe zinc based sunscreen before swimming
3. Don’t walk on or touch the coral. Coral polyps are delicate living things. Don’t lie or kick on the reef. Hold fins up.
Area Attractions
• Daintree Rainforest – Old growth tropical jungle north of Port Douglas.
• Kuranda Scenic Railway – A popular mountain railway trip through a lush rainforest with waterfalls, near Cairns.
Summary
Swim in the Great Barrier reef. Encounter some of Australia’s most spectacular marine wildlife in life-changing experiences. Don your mask, obey the crew’s safety instructions and discover this natural blue wonder!
