Unforgettable Great Barrier Reef experiences

Sleep on the reef

Where: tour departs from Airlie Beach, Daydream Island or Hamilton Island

One of the best ways to get the reef all to yourself is to take part in the Reefsleep Experience. Cruise Whitsundays takes small groups of visitors to its Reefworld platform moored on the edge of Hardy Reef for a full day of snorkelling, diving, boat and helicopter rides. Unlike all of the other day-trippers who head home at about 3pm, Reefsleepers get to stay behind with the option to submerge in the reef again during the afternoon. Come evening, it's time for a barbecue, and possibly a night dive, before everybody on board tucks themselves into their designated swags (a low tent with an in-built mattress, designed for the Australian outback) under the star-filled sky.

Travel underwater in a mini-submarine

Where: tour departs from Cairns

Great Barrier Reef Submarines lets visitors explore the beauty of the reef in a three-person mini-submarine, just 45 minutes on a fast catamaran from Cairns. Taking a mini-sub ride is less hassle than suiting up for a snorkel or dive. Two guests just jump in the mini-sub with the guide and then launch straight from the beach. In minutes you are submerged among the coral, ready to spot the reef's Great Eight marine life.

Walk along the sea bed

Where: Green Island

Green Island, a coral cay about half an hour offshore from Cairns, is home to the Seawalker experience, in which visitors can walk along the seafloor wearing a diving helmet. The helmet is shaped like an old-school metal diving helmet, fully enclosing your head in a bubble, and connected to the surface through an air hose. But unlike the old metal helmets, the Seawalker helmets are almost completely clear, offering unrestricted views of the amazing sea life of the reef. This is a great way for non-swimmers to experience the underwater wonders, and for those who wear glasses, because they can be left on inside the helmet.

Ride an underwater scooter

Where: tour departs from Cairns

Taking the helmet walk one step further is this novel way to explore the reef. The Scuba-Doo, a small yellow motorised scooter with a large viewing dome, acts as a diving helmet and is supported by a float from the surface. Just climb on the scooter at the pontoon, just off the coast at Cairns, put your head in the dome and off you go. The scooters are easily manoeuvred and a guide dives alongside you for the whole journey.

Have a private island picnic

Where: helicopters departs from Cairns

Vlasoff Cay is a small streak of sand in an ocean of blue. This tiny sand island appears only at low tide and is the perfect setting for a castaway picnic. You can be dropped off at your own stretch of Great Barrier Reef sand by helicopter or chartered boat and left alone with a picnic hamper and a bottle of champagne. This is the ultimate in reef romanticism, with not even a tree to spoil your 360-degree view of this natural wonder of the world. You can swim, snorkel or just relax on your own private – and temporary – island. 

Sail aboard a private yacht

 Where: boat departs from Port Douglas

There is nothing quite as indulgent as chartering a private yacht – especially when it comes with its own crew. Low Isles is a spectacular island teeming with bird and marine life, just off the coast of Port Douglas. You can recruit a group of friends and cruise around onboard a Whitsunday Escape yacht, a luxury self contained, sleep-aboard sailing vessel.. Just jump off the side for some of the best snorkelling on the reef!

Take a scenic flight

Where: tour departs from Airlie Beach

Seeing the giant living wonder that is the Great Barrier Reef from the sky gives you an understanding of just how immense it really is. The different shades of ocean blue, the secluded islands, and the patterns of the coral beds all laid out before you as you hover above is something you're bound to never forget. You can cover more of the reef from the air than you can ever hope to discover at sea level. Take flight with Air Whitsunday for the bird's-eye view of a lifetime. 

Swim with Minke whales

Where: tours departs from Cairns

Witness the unique phenomenon of the dwarf minke whale migration that takes place each year between June and July. These friendly mammals travel north to Queensland's coast each winter to breed, birth and swim in the tropical waters. This incredible wildlife encounter is available to experience with limited tour operators: Mike Ball Expeditions and Deep Sea Divers Den are among a few permitted tours that offer snorkelling and diving trips. The curious minke whales are known to approach swimmers and linger for extended periods, providing an unforgettable nautical experience. 

Witness sea turtles hatching

Where: Bundaberg 

Sea turtles, including the endangered loggerhead turtles, nestle ashore Mon Repos Beach in Bundaberg (about a four-hour drive, or one-hour flight north of Brisbane). They lay their eggs between November and January, and then from January to March, the hatchlings begin to leave their nests bound for the ocean. You can witness this spectacle with Mon Repos Turtle Encounters, who operate nighttime tours seven days a week. Their guides are environmental scientists who will teach you about conservation programs being run in the area, as well the lifecycle of the majestic sea turtles. 

Skydive over the reef

Where: Mission Beach

If you're an adrenaline junkie and want to soak up a spectacular birds-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef, the sky is the limit – literally. Skydiving at Mission Beach is a unique opportunity to witness the reef and surrounding beaches, as well as the rainforest as you fly from 4,570m (15,000ft) above. The exhilarating freefall experience is available with Skydive Mission Beach who have expert sky masters ready to guide you on the ultimate adventure. Mission Beach is roughly two hours from Cairns, so you can self-drive or book a shuttle bus through Skydive Mission Beach.