Aug 06 2009
Exploring the Great Barrier Reef
If you are looking for an interesting holiday, plan a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. This natural wonder of the world provides a unique opportunity to spend some time exploring the various coral reefs that make up the system and a variety of marine animals.
The Great Barrier Reef is located near Queensland, Australia and spans an area that is 344,400 square kilometres. There is no other reef system in the world that is larger than the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is a major attraction for tourists although it will not seem overcrowded due to its sheer size.
This majestic destination can be explored during a day trip or you may want to plan your trip on a liveaboard. The latter option will allow you to spend your nights floating on top of the Great Barrier Reef instead of heading back to shore to a hotel. Divers prefer this option because they can dive at night and they don’t waste time travelling back and forth.
Along with the hundreds of individual coral reefs that can be explored, many people enjoying looking for the different types of creatures that can be found swimming about. Marine fish that can be found in this area include angelfish and manta rays. Several types of mammals can also be found exploring the reef including dolphins and the humpback whale. Keep your eyes open for sea turtles which also inhabit the Great Barrier Reef. Although it is possible to see sharks during a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, most are harmless and pose no threat to humans.