Great Barrier Reef Cruises

The months of May to October are the high season for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, when the waters are warm and calm, offering the best opportunities for underwater activities like snorkelling and diving. 

Many mainstream cruise lines offer sailings to the Great Barrier Reef – both for scenic cruising and up-close experiences where ships call by the ports near the Reef. Among these are Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, with some itineraries that include the three main gateways to the Reef: Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach.

The Great Barrier Reef offers plenty of activities and experiences, mostly related to water, such as snorkelling, diving and fishing, as well as swimming in the golden beaches. Besides exploring the thriving marine life and coral reefs beneath the waves, there’s so much to do on the land. Visit Cairns Aquarium and the Botanical Gardens, enjoy kite-surfing the blissful beach suburbs and ride the Kuranda Skyrail. You can also take a tour of the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest rainforest, or island-hop across the pristine Whitsundays!

The Great Barrier Reef is a protected area and the removal of all its underwater treasures, including dead shells and corals, is strictly prohibited. Admire and take photos but avoid touching and extracting anything from the Reef. A hefty penalty will be imposed if anyone is caught deliberately trying to harm and destroy the Reef.

The short answer is yes, it’s allowed to go diving without certification. Most dive centre operators will offer introductory scuba diving for beginner divers, where an expert and certified diver will look after your safety while you explore the underwater. Snorkelling and glass bottom tours also offer unmissable opportunities to see the Reef’s abundant marine life and corals.