Great Barrier Reef wheres' best?

[gregbradley]

I saw the reef from the pontoon tour in Cairns years ago and it wasn't that great.

Where's the best place to see reef and what tour did you use?

I was hoping to see the really colourful reef. The Pontoon area is nice but a bit dull and I've seen better in Airlie beach.

Greg.

[supernova1965]

I have to say IMHO the Whitsundays are the best for the reef but I have only seen it at this location but from all I have heard it is the best for snorkling or diving and when I was snorkling on the outer reef I was amazed at the colours. The only drawback that I can see is you have to go out further to get to the reef maybe that is why it is better:question:. If you do come to the area make sure to get in touch and maybe we can get togerther for a visit.:welcome::thumbsup:

[rally]

For the most part - the best reefs are only where all the large volumes of tourists dont go
Repeated damage to the coral by boats and their anchors and the 100's of tourists a day who dont understand bouyancy control have taken a heavy toll on the popular pretty shallow coral reef sites, plus a lot of areas have been affected by localised coral bleaching and/or crown of thorns infestations over the years and it takes a while to regenerate.

The best spots !
The Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole . . . places like that - you get to these by dive charter boats and stay onboard for days.

The outer barrier reef areas where you can get dropped off by helicopter or seaplane or multi day trips.

Hazelwood Island in the Whitsundays was far enough out that it didnt get hammered when I was last there.

Alternatively try Fiji, Vanuatu, Truk Lagoon, Solomon Islands, Palau . . . !!!

Unfortunately the brochures always show you a pretty picture possibly not even taken in that location or the pick of the bunch or a colourful macro shot of one tiny spot.
The best and most colourful corals are generally in the top 10m of water, but deeper drop offs and spectacular landscapes are great to see.

Rally

[gary]

Hi Greg,

We've been going up there for the last couple of decades and as has
been recommended, the outer reefs tend to be the best preserved.

Keep in mind that as the light passes through the water, the red end of
the spectrum tends to get attenuated with depth, so you only
see vivid colors when the tide is low and the reef is in shallower water.

In the years we have been going up to the Great Barrier Reef, we have witnessed
first hand its deterioration in many places. The pollution of the water and
deterioration of reefs from the run-off from farming is unfortunately another factor.
In particular we have seen the water quality in areas closer to the mainland
degrade year by year and many of the reefs that use to be colorful and diverse
have become murky, bleached and lifeless.

So if you are prepared to spend a little more time getting out, then it can
be very rewarding.

Much further south in Qld, east of the Town of 1770, Lady Musgrave Island is ringed
by a coral lagoon that is recommended.

[gregbradley]

So outer reef then.

I see Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom gets good reviews operating out of Cairns. Anyone used them? They go to Upolu Cay.

Greg.

[Suzy]

Green Island is well know for its coral. You can take the glass bottom boat out from the island for a tour of the coral and along the way you'll see gorgeous schools of colourful fish.

At one time back in the 80's when I was there, you could actually reef walk. Meaning the coral came right up to ankle deep water and you could walk through it. It was very sad to see that when I was there last, about 5 years ago, it had all disappeared - within such a short time frame at that.

I also love the way they have kept this island very simple. You will only find a few necessary shops; food, ice cream, tourist/clothing shop. The island caters well for day trippers, having all these facilities available, including a large pool and deck chairs on the approach of the island. Thereby not encroaching on the people that are staying which is situated further inland of the island. The Island is kept in its most natural form without too much commercialism. It is a truly beautiful island, and I have to admit my favourite. Simply because it is what it is- a Reef Island, surrounded with nothing but its own natural beauty.

The boat will take you straight out from Cairns.

[xstream]

I'm not sure what you're after Greg. Single day charter or extended!

I've dived many places when I was still diving, Swains, Truk, Vanuatu, etc. but probably one of the best places to dive the Outer reef is Lizard Island.
If you do decide to go that way do a private charter for a couple of days, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

[Barrykgerdes]

I haven't been to North Queensland for 25 years now and I imagine it has changed greatly with the increase in tourism.

I spent much time working out of Cairns (1969-85) and had many trips to places like Green Island where the reef was great viewing. I remember when the first underwater observatory was sunk off Green Island. The views were spectacular. I was associated with the tour operators and regularly went to Green Island on the Old Coral Seatel to assist when I had no other work on so I had free access to the exhibits.

Some most spectacular views I had of the reef in general was flying low along the Ribbons on a trip to Lizard Island.

Barry

[gary]

Hi Greg,

Haven't used that particular operator but I've snorkeled at Michaelmas on occasion
which is nearby in the Michaelmas & Upolu Cays National Park.

This is a mid-reef system which is one set-aside for the tour operators that use
the larger boats that take people out for the day, feed them smörgåsbord lunches,
let them splash around if they want to go in the water or take them in glass
bottom boats or semi-submersibles if they can't or don't want to swim.
After Green Island, these mid-reef systems see the most number of people
and thus have more pressure on them.

Given the choice of sitting here in Sydney on this cool and overcast day or being
up on that reef at this very moment, I would pick the reef and happily spend hours
snorkeling there. If you were to ask would you see some fabulous things, the
answer would be absolutely. If you were then to ask, are there more pristine,
colorful and diverse reef systems accessible from Cairns, the answer would be yes
there are.

But whether going further afield makes sense to you and other family members,
will depend upon you.

The mid-reef systems are serviceable by large comfortable high-speed boats
and within an hour or so you are out there. If you or a family member suffer
from sea sickness, these types of tours provide the best chance of not
getting green under the gills. That can make a big difference to some people's
enjoyment of a day out. I am somewhat lucky in that, despite trying,
I have never been sea sick, but I've certainly been on many a boat out on the
reef where passengers are either over the side feeding the fish with their
breakfast or looking just plain miserable. Fortunately, the waters at the reefs
tends to be calm and I note that once the boats moor, passengers don't
seem to take long to recover.

Likewise, on these larger luxury boats that go to the
mid-reef systems, when the boat arrives at the destination
a sizable majority seem content to fill themselves up on the all-you-can-eat lunches
whereas personally I am there to go snorkeling so I will get in straight away
and only get out for a short break now and then and eat a light lunch on the
way back. Some get in the water and after 45 minutes or so feel as if they
have seen everything and are then happy to get out. I fall into the class that
doesn't get bored of it and will spend just about every possible hour in the water.
Though I am content to explore on my own, it can also be immensely gratifying
to share the experience alongside a partner, family member or friend.
For example, the more time you are in the water, the more chance you might
get to see something like a turtle, ray or reef shark.

Along the Esplanade in Cairns there are a countless number of tour booking
agencies and unless you are on a super-tight schedule, rather than booking
from here I would recommend roaming around, picking up some brochures
and chatting to some of the more knowledgeable people behind the desks.
The large luxury boats that cater for the mass tourist business tend to have the
glossiest brochures.

For example, time and budget permitting, you might decide to take a day trip
out to Upolu to see whether you enjoy it and then come back and decide whether
you want to spend some more on a trip to the outer reef. When traveling with
a family, the costs can quickly add up. The luxury mid-reef day trip boats also
include a big lunch in the price of the ticket. Some of the mid-size day-trip boats that
cater to budget travelers where you either pack your own brown paper bag lunch
or buy one of their meat pies on board can offer good value. Their boats aren't
as fast but sometimes they actually spend more time on the reef than the
large tourist boats.

Another easy tourist trip is to Fitzroy Island. Given its proximity to the mainland,
the snorkeling use to be pretty good there, but things may have changed.
It also has the amenity that you can snorkel off the beach and sea turtles
use to be easy to spot.

Some of the boutique operators that are going out for multiple days work on the
assumption clients will also be interested in diving, not just snorkeling, so the
fit may not be good if you are not a diver.

Making a decision what to do when you arrive in Cairns is also wise given if the
forecast is for rain, then you might want to postpone the trip for a clear day.
Hiring a car and driving to Cape Tribulation, the Daintree or up to the Athertons
is a great thing to do on a wet day.

Enjoy the trip.

[Jen]

I havnt seen any pretty things like that yet so i wouldnt have a clue Greg :lol: I hope you have a lovely holiday and find some nice reefs :thumbsup:

[Jeffkop]

Hi Greg ... what is your plan ?? .. sounds like one of the very organised main tourist trips to the reef. If so .. Forget Fitzroy or Green Island, anything out of Cairns really, http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/ (http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/)is your baby out of Port Douglas. You dont have to get all caught up in the lunch if you dont want to. They go to the outer reef, just slip on your snorkel and flippers and jump in its the only way. I used to have the electronics contract on these cats and spent many a Saturday curing a horrible hangover out there. Its amazing how quickly you start to feel good taking in the deep breaths that will get you 30 to 40 ft down for a quick look then back up. There are many areas much shallower than that and full of fish and stuff to look at also.

If a private charter is more your liking then as has already been suggested, a trip to the cod hole at Lizard Island is a most memorable experience. Those Potato cod look WAY BIG ENOUGH to swallow you whole. Luckily they are gentle giants mate. Also awesome schools of other fish there including the coveted mouri wrass !!!.

Winter months traditionally provide the best weather in those areas, the north easterlies hammer the coast during the summer, but you can get lucky too.

Have a great time

[gregbradley]

Thanks for the great replies.

I plan on using Ocean Freedom and Upolu cay. If it turns out not to be
fantastic I'll check out the Esplanade and the various tours from there.

Cheers,

Greg.