8 of the best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef

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We dipped seven days in the largest reef system in the world - and enjoyed every minute. Below we share some of the best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef

As a travel blogger, we sometimes make exaggeration guilty. However, when it comes to diving in the Great Barrier Reef, you shouldn't overdo it. The coral reef here is just great.

We spent seven days on board the 35 m catamaran Coral Expedition II, a small ship that can record a maximum of 44 passengers (our trip had 22).

A small ship is not only a more sustainable way to see the Great Barrier Reef, it also enables access to exclusive anchorages that are unreachable for day trippers from the mainland.

We dipped on most days, depending on the course of the trip, up to three times a day. Diving was calm and carefree throughout the trip, particularly effortlessly through a hydraulic platform at the rear of the ship, which gently lowered divers and snorkelers directly into the sea. Our trainer Colin was calm, organized and hardworking, which made the experience all the more pleasant.

The Great Barrier Reef with its moderate deep and clear, quiet water is an excellent place for beginners and advanced. With this in mind, we share eight of the best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef.

1. Nathan riff

depth: 9m

alt = “The Great Barrier Reef attracts 2 million visitors annually”> Atlas & Boots The Great Barrier Reef attracts 2 million visitors every year

The flat, quiet and colorful reef of the Nathan Reef is an excellent starting point. Nathan Reef is located cheaply near Cairns and is characterized by its countless colorful corals, sea anemones and swarms of parrot fish. A local clown fish (often referred to as Nemo fish), which can be found at about 9 m depth, is always a popular attraction.

2. Band reef

depth: 16m (reef #3), 18m (reef #9)

Alt = “Ribbon Reef #9 One of the best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef”> Atlas & Boots ribbon Reef includes a chain of ten individual reef

ribbon Reef is located in a remote area of ​​the coral sea and offers some of the best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef. Ribbon Reef includes a chain of 10 individual reefs, of which No. 3 and No. 9 are generally regarded as the best.

ribbon Reef is located next to Coktown on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Divers will likely see a number of larger fish such as sockets, cod and bream as well as the usual range of colorful reef fish.

keep an eye on the Ribbon Reef #3 for something that can only be described as "unusual". It definitely surprised us!

3. Steves Bommie

depth: 24m

somewhere between Ribbon Reefs No. 2 and No. 3, about S15 ° 30 ′ 06.4 ″ E145 ° 47 ′ 16.7 ″, there is an extraordinary isolated tip that extends from a depth of 35 m to about five meters.

The tip, called Steve’s Bommie, is teeming with life. Clownfish in a bursting orange are curling in the tentacles of fat finger anemones next to swarms of yellow snaps and flagable in disney purple.

Steve’s Bommie is not just one of the best diving sites at the Great Barrier Reef, it is one of the best dives we have ever done all over the world.

Steve’s Bommie and Ribbon Reef are too far away for a day trip. Therefore, the place can only be reached with a diving saver or a cruise ship, unless you have access to a private yacht or living on Lizard Island.

4. Refin escape

depth: 10m

alt = “Escape Reef is one of the best diving sites in the Great Barrier Reef”> Atlas & Boots Many healthy and colorful corals are exhibited in the escape reef

escape reef is another outstanding diving site that is included on our travel route for the Great Barrier Reef. It has two different sides: one with a view of the ocean and one with a view of the lagoon. The lagoon side is more protected and therefore ideal for diving.

The reef, which cannot be reached from the daily boats from Port Douglas, is one of the least visited and most untouched in the area. A variety of healthy and colorful corals with minimal signs of bleach are exhibited.

5. Urinarum island

depth: 5-25m

alt = "Interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia"> Atlas & Boots The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure of the planet

Heron Island is a coral island that is about 50 km off the coast and is blessed with numerous excellent dive sites. The island is a remarkable nesting site for turtles, home of around 4,000 green and fake karetto turtles, so it is very likely that they will meet several at one of the over 20 diving sites in the surrounding reef.

day trips to Heron Island are not possible. So if you are not on a diving saver, your only real option is to spend the night in the resort of the island with the connected Heron Island Marine Center.

6. Lady-ELIOT island

depth: 10-30m

Alt = “Best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef Olady Elliot”> Dream time Lady Elliot Island is known for his rays and turtles

There are over 20 diving sites in the reef around Lady Elliot Island, who are known for their populations of Mantaroche and Green Sea turtles. As with Heron Island, the only real way to access the website is the stay in the resort on the island.

The surrounding waters house a number of reefs and bums with different depths and terrains. These support a large and diverse fish population as well as a number of different turtle species.

Located

56 km from the mainland, the coral reefs around Lady Elliot are in a flawless condition. Encounters with whales are not uncommon because the island is near the continental shelf and the deeper water.

7. Osprey reef

depth: 12-40m

alt = "Best diving sites in the Great Barrier Reef Fischkreckerreis"> Matt Kieffer; CC BY-SA 2.0 The Osprey Reef is 60 km away from the other reefs

The Osprey Reef is famous for its excellent feeding options for reef sharks and houses a natural underwater amphitheater in which divers can easily see silver, white-tip and gray reef sharks.

The reef is isolated, about 60 km from the other popular reefs in the area, which means that access can be a real challenge. However, the almost vertical reef walls, which tower from around 2,000 m depth, offer excellent visibility.

8. Ss yongala

depth: 30m

alt = “Best diving sites in the Great Barrier Reef SS Yongala”> Darren Jude; CC BY-SA 2.0 The SS Yongala is one of the best wreck dives in the world

Our selected wreck dive is the 110 m long SS Yongala, which is about 20 km from the mainland in the open water. The passenger ship sank in 1911 during a cyclone, with all 122 passengers and the crew lost in the tragedy. It is Australia's largest and intact historical shipwreck and one of the best diving sites in the Great Barrier Reef.

With an international reputation as one of the best wreck dives in the world, Yongala is today a magnificent isolated artificial reef that is home to a large number of sea creatures. The wreck is 15 m below the surface and 30 m at its lowest point. The site can be reached with the Townsville speedboat, but it is faster from Alva Beach near Ayr.

Best diving sites in the Great Barrier Reef: Map

Best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef: The essentials

what: dive at some of the best dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Where: We stayed on Coral Expeditions II in a cabin on the upper deck. Our room was extremely comfortable and surprisingly spacious with lots of storage space and a breathtaking sea view.

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Atlas & Boots

aperitifs were served on the upper deck and the meals were taken in the dining room of the lower deck, where chef Mark Festmahle prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as morning and afternoon tea.

The maximum capacity of 44 guests (ours 22) ensures an excellent camaraderie and atmosphere, which is reinforced by a delightful crew. Overall, it was a wonderful way to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

When: The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is from July to October due to good visibility and little rain and wind.

like: We have connected Coral Expeditions for a 7-night expedition from Cairns to Hinchinbrook Island, Lizard Island and back to Cairns.

The prices start at 3,680 AUD ($ 2,720) per person and include all meals, tea and coffee, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits, snorkeling excursions, guided trips with the glass floor boat, presentations of marine biologists, access to islands, sea parks and national parks, in introduction to the diving skills for initial divers Cairns or to Cairns Airport. The prices do not include dives ($ 80 AUD / $ 60 per person, per dive) or Stinger Suits. Note that there is no internet access on board.

expeditions start and return to the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. Before the departure, you will receive instructions for getting in that you are worth reading, since taxi drivers do not always know exactly where to go.

Cairns itself can be reached by car from Hertz Australia, by bus from Greyhound Australia or by plane to Cairn Airport. Book domestic or foreign flights via Skyscanner at the best prices.

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Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide for the country, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take less busy roads.

disclosure: We explored the Great Barrier Reef with the support of Coral Expeditions. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.

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