Tours
Great Barrier Reef Tours
Great Barrier Reef tours are real adventures to see marine and coral wonderland at the touch of your fingers. To experience Great Barrier Reefs up close is to experience marine life at its best. For those with passion for marine biology Great Barrier Reef tours are a real deal. For those who want to find out about this region, Great Barrier Reef tours will be a memory of the life time.
Great Barrier Reef Overview
Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system. It consist of 2900 separate reefs and 900 islands. It is known to be also the biggest structure made by living organisms (coral polyps). Ecology, climate and the geography of the area attracts $billion annually to the Australian tourism industry. There are many ways to experience Great Barrier Reef:
- Hot Air Balloon Tours
- Catamaran Tours
- Cruise Vessels Tours
- Helicopter Tours
Some of the cruises and Great Barrier Reef tours include diving and snorkeling next to coral islands. Others, provide submergible viewing rooms to enjoy underwater without getting wet. The best location to start the Great Barrier Reef tours is Cairns. The city is only 1 hour by boat from the reef area.
Great Barrier Reef Tours with Hot Air Balloons
The Great Barrier Reef tours with hot air balloons are rather less known options to visit this magnificent place.
However, the tour allows to see a larger picture of the region.
Green Island is a popular hot air balloon destination.
It is a unique place which combines marine life and rainforest environment into a marine national park.
Most Great Barrier Reef tours with hot air balloons have plenty of stop overs which include meal and even champagne!
Prices for the Great Barrier Reef tours with hot air balloons are about $500 for 2 people over 17 years of age.
Great Barrier Reef Tours with Catamaran
This is the most popular type of the tour to Great Barrier Reef.
It does not give a panoramic view of the area (as the hot air balloon does) but has many other advantages.
Great Barrier Reef tours with catamaran allow you to experience the marine life up close.
Most operators use modern catamarans which provide lunch, shower, buffet and other facilities.
Most catamaran trips cater for those who want to snorkel or scuba diving.
However, there are also great facilities for those who want to experience the Reef by staying dry.
Some operators have submergible or underwater viewing rooms.
Not everything is included in the price of the Great Barrier Reef tours with catamaran but a lot of these options are available.
For 2 adults the price is about $400. This includes on board facilities.
However, additional options like diving lessons will further set you back by about $140 per person.
Great Barrier Reef Tours with Cruise Vessels
Travel by style with luxurious cruise vessels and still experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef region.
These Great Barrier Reef tours with cruise vessels are designed for larger number of passengers
with first class facilities.
Some operators do make stop overs for snorkeling and diving.
Others, cruise among coral reefs and islands.
Most cruise vessels travel to the outer reef - the Agincourt Reefs.
Prices for the Great Barrier Reef tours with cruise vessels vary but, generally, you can expect $300 per person.
Great Barrier Reef Tours with Helicopter
This is the fastest way to get to your destination in the Great Barrier Reef. Most helicopters fly to the designated pontoons or bays. There, you have all the facilities to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Meals, showers, diving lessons etc are provided at the destination point. Prices for the Great Barrier Reef tours with Helicopter are dear - $400 per person is not uncommon.
Where to Book Great Barrier Reef Tours
The best way to book Great Barrier Reef tours is by internet. There are numerous providers who offer discounts to agencies which run holiday websites. Travel Online is probably a descent option to try. Others, like Reeftrip can also be recommended.