Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
|
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.