You’ve seen it on TV and read about it in newspapers and magazines but let me tell you that nothing compares to experiencing the Great Barrier Reef yourself. As a lover of the sea and the life that it contains, a visit to the reef has always been on my bucket list and when I finally dived amongst the beautiful corals I was taken aback by the abundance of life I saw. With this trip years in the making, I thought I knew what to expect, but it turns out I didn’t. Here is what I found…
1. The water is pretty cold!
The Great Barrier Reef stretches along the tropical north-eastern coast of Australia; an area that enjoys beautiful warm weather all year round. So imagine my surprise when I jumped into the water and discovered it was cold! July is one of the coldest months of the year in this region and water temperatures can fall to 23°c. Luckily if you are on a diving tour then spare wetsuits are available and you may find yourself, like me, wrapped in a double layer of neoprene.
2. Where did the colour go?
If you’ve watched Blue Planet then you’re used to seeing the Great Barrier Reef in all of its glory with brightly coloured fish swimming between equally colourful corals. But an underwater adventure of your own may not be as colourful as you imagined. The reason is that water absorbs wavelengths of light and the first go are red, orange and yellow so what you see may be significantly bluer than you expected. Despite this, the reef is still stunning to behold and you won’t be disappointed by the wealth of life that there is to see
3. The reef could return!
Reports suggest that only half of the reef is left following the extensive coral bleaching and destruction that has occurred over recent years. But there is evidence of recovery! Certain areas of the reef are now improving and advanced laboratory coral growing techniques are allowing old, dead reefs to be brought back to life. Though many of the corals are still at risk it is important to remember some of the success stories out there too!
4. The reef is far out!
I always believed that the Great Barrier Reef was close to the shore. After all, shallow waters aren’t found out at sea, right? Wrong. Most of the coral reefs are located at least 15km offshore and can take between 45 minutes to 2 hours to get there depending on which one you’re visiting. This journey to the reef provides a great opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. But remember your travel sickness pills if it’s choppy!
5. You don’t have to fear the sharks
Sharks carry a fearsome reputation and the idea of coming face to face with one can seem like a terrifying prospect, but the truth is that it will likely be the highlight of your trip! The Barrier Reef is home to several shark species, each of which poses a minuscule risk to humans. If you are fortunate to encounter one of these misunderstood creatures, then simply stay back and observe these beautiful reef dwellers in their natural habitat.
6. You can find Nemo
That’s right! He may have been difficult to find in the film but on the reef, this little fish is easy to spot and delights divers and snorkellers alike. Nemo is a type of fish called a clown anemonefish and, just like in the film, they choose to make the protective tentacles of anemones their home. If you spot an anemone during your dive then keep watching, one of Nemo’s cousins may make an appearance! (In case you’re wondering, yes that’s me with one of Nemo’s relatives)
7. Your visit can support the reef
It’s no secret that the reef is under strain and that humans are the biggest factor contributing to their destruction. It’s also true that tourism can, at times, harm the reef but you don’t need to cancel your trip! Education is power and if you visit the reef, treat it with care and pass on your love to others then more people will consider their impact on the environment. Tourism is also one of the biggest financial contributors to the protection of the reef so whilst care does need to be taken, your visit can help rather than harm the reef. Nice one!
Don’t forget to check out the Facts About Great Barrier Reef!
Recommend Tour: 1 Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
Price: $115
Tour Company: Sightseeing Tours Australia
This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursaustraliaonline.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/7-things-you-may-not-expect-from-a-visit-to-the-great-barrier-reef/
