Designated as a marine park by the Australian government, the Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site and is one of the famous island destinations. It stretches from the tip of Queensland to the Pacific Ocean and has the largest coral reef system on earth, reef complexes, and is rich in species, with numerous islands and ideal for snorkeling and diving.

In the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands are a must-see experience for many visitors. You can snorkel and dive in the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, and you can choose to do these activities via a luxury ship. If you love snorkeling, this is the place to be. In addition, you can explore the stunning Whitsunday Islands, hike through the ancient Daintree Rainforest, relax on the tropical islands, or if you don’t love snorkeling and diving. A trip around the islands can be an unforgettable experience.

See what else there is to do in the Great Barrier Reef.

1. Whitsunday Islands

The world-famous Whitsunday Islands float between the central Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef. Now surrounded by idyllic islands, the Whitsunday Islands have 74 islands to explore, only eight inhabited, including Hamilton Island. Imagine snorkeling through pristine beaches and stunning reefs. Imagine how wonderful it is to snorkel among pristine beaches and spectacular coral reefs.

Exploring the coral reefs of the sunny beach-filled islands, signing up for a snorkeling or scuba diving trip, taking a cruise, or hopping on a sailboat are all worthwhile activities. Here you can also visit some of the famous sites of the Whitsunday Islands via a sightseeing cruise and enjoy the sublime White Sand Bay Beach on the Whitsunday Islands, which is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you like snorkeling, this is also a good place.

2. Dive or Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

With its numerous reefs, colorful rock faces, spectacular coral canyons, swim-throughs, and pinnacles, the Great Barrier Reef is one of its most desirable dive destinations.

While snorkeling and diving are the most popular activities here, there are many other enriching experiences, such as the shark feeding frenzy at North Point, the cod cave near Lizard Island, and the drift dive at Fish Eagle Reef. You can also reach the Agincourt Ribbon Reef from Cairns, which is a popular dive site to see the coral gardens of Flynn Reef, and the Lighthouse Bommie to see migrating baby whales.

3. Soar over the Reef on a Scenic Flight

Seeing the Great Barrier Reef from the air is an experience like no other; it is a 15-minute flight to a full-day flight tour, including activities on the water and lunch. It will also be a delightful experience. As the helicopter and seaplane flight over the reef and palm-fringed islands, you will see the beautiful open islands and instantly forget your worries. Being in the air is also the best time to overlook the Heart Reef, which is also a location chosen by many couples to propose.

The Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour and Cruise from Cairns is an excellent option to see the Great Barrier Reef from various perspectives. This full-day tour includes a 25-minute flight with extensive commentary and the chance to snorkel, swim, or dive along the reef, making it an ideal destination for snorkelers.

4. Heart Reef

The heart-shaped reef of the Great Barrier Reef is a must-see reef in the Great Barrier Reef. The heart-shaped reef was formed unintentionally by countless coral polyps a few millimeters in diameter. If this is the work of God, then it seems safe to say that God would like to make this place the home of souls.

You must take a helicopter tour here to see the heart-shaped reef. From the air, the heart-shaped reef of the Great Barrier Reef is also spectacular, giving you a sense of the wonder and magnificence of nature. This heart-shaped reef is also a destination where many couples choose to express their love and propose, and the probability of a successful proposal here is very high!

5. Green Island

Green Island, located about 45 minutes from Cairns in the Great Barrier Reef region, is a small but large coral reef island with tropical rainforests.

If you want to travel green, Green Island is a great place to do so, as it takes just over an hour to circle the island. You can walk through the rainforest on your own after arriving by boat on Green Island or dive or take a glass-bottom boat out to see the colorful coral reefs. Paragliding, helicopter tours, and underwater walks are other enjoyable activities.

6. Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is one of the 74 Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, located on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. It has a pleasant climate, clear waters, beautiful beaches, desirable coral reefs, fascinating flora and fauna, fine food and wine, and various activities. It is more of a resort than the rest of the Great Barrier Reef, a place to unwind and spend time on the beach watching the sunrise and sunset.

It's also simple to get here, with a one-hour and fifteen-minute flight from Brisbane or Cairns in Queensland. So, what are your options in this situation? Take a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef or neighboring white paradise beaches and soar through the blue ocean. Or do snorkeling and reef watching, sea kayaking, or just lay quietly and relax on a beautiful beach - it's all there to do.

Furthermore, Hamilton Island is known as the "Heart of the Great Barrier Reef," It offers views of the heart-shaped Great Barrier Reef. It's also a popular location for wedding proposals.

7. Airlie Beach Lagoon

Airlie Beach is located in the Whitsundays region, just a short distance from the tourist-filled resort islands. This coastal town has long been regarded as one of the entry points to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. At the same time, it is a popular stopover and also a place to stay for an extended period.

 Because of its four seasons of summer, it attracts visitors from all over the world. Explore the 74 nearby Whitsunday Islands on day trips, overnight cruises, or private charters from Abell Point Marina, Port of Airlie, or Shute Harbour. The Great Barrier Reef's crystalline waters are best explored by boat, and the underwater world of colorful coral reefs is easily explored through snorkeling and diving.

8. Whitehaven Beach

One of the most popular destinations and one of the most beautiful beaches on the Great Barrier Reef, White Sand Bay Beach is a 7-kilometer stretch of dazzling white silica sand and vibrantly blue water.

Hiking is one way to explore the area. Just a 10- to 15-minute walk from the beach to the Hill Inlet Lookout, you'll see swirling white sands, turquoise waters, and lush hills. And soaring through the vast sky in a plane overlooking the beautiful seascape is enough to make you feel excited, and at the same time, you can't help but marvel at the wonders of nature. In short, here, you can enjoy the most beautiful scenery.

9. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975 to protect the reef's delicate ecosystem. It encompasses over 2,900 coral reefs, 600 mainland islands, 300 coral reefs, seagrass beds, and numerous mangrove islands.

One of the most rewarding aspects of visiting the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is marveling at the incredible diversity of marine life. There are over 600 different types of corals, ranging from rounded brain corals to craggy staghorn corals and elegant willow coral sea fans. These thriving underwater jungles are also home to mollusks such as giant clams and over 1,625 different fish species. Sharks, rays, sea snakes, dugongs, turtles, dolphins, and whales can be found in the surrounding waters.

10. Daydream Island Living Reef

The fantastic living coral reef on Daydream Island is a must-see attraction. It is one of the world's largest artificial living coral reef lagoons, located at the resort's entrance, and contains over 80 species of marine fish and 50 species of coral. Visitors flock to this microcosm of the Great Barrier Reef, where they can hand-feed the resident stingrays, sharks, and lungfish.