The Great Barrier Reef is an incredible example of nature’s brilliance and an attraction which sees thousands of tourists visit every year. The Great Barrier Reef is a huge collection of coral and underwater bio-systems which have been baffling and helping scientists, and fascinating visitors for many years.
Unfortunately with the Great Barrier Reef, as a result of the damage which humans are doing to the seas, a process called coral bleaching has begun in the reef which slowly erodes this magnificent coral system. If you are planning on heading to the Great Barrier Reef, here is what you should, and shouldn’t be doing.
Do’s
Let’s take a look at a few of the things that you most definitely should be doing during a visit to this stunning tapestry of coral.
Snorkeling and Diving
To see the reef at its absolute finest, you should most definitely take a snorkeling ,or if you are up for it, a diving adventure. It is worth noting that you should understand the complexities of each area of the reef as it is not always easy to traverse across the corals. If you are an accomplished diver then you should have no problems but if not, seek professional help to find out which route is best for you.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
The Great Barrier Reef is not just the large collection of coral, but more the area surrounding it. One of the coolest things to do outside of the reef then is to jump on this spectacular railway which takes you through the Barron Gorge, and up as high as 1,000 feet above sea level. Getting in touch with nature here is about more than just what exists below the sea.
Hamilton Island
The reef exploration can get a little crowded with tourists so why not consider heading a few kilometers up the shore line to the beautiful Hamilton Island. This is not only an awesome place of you to relax and enjoy the midday sun, it is also a great jumping off point to explore more of the fascinating reef itself.
Don’ts
There are some things which you should most definitely avoid doing if you plan on taking a trip to the GBR.
Feeding Fish
Sometimes your dive master may have some natural food which you can give the fish but for the most part, you should never feed them. Feeding fish encourages them to come closer to divers and they could very well ingest food which is not good for them.
No Touching
Just the slightest touch can kill coral or at the very least, cause you some pain as many of the cells and organisms down below have sharp spines which could give you a nasty cut.
No Souvenirs
It’s actually against the law to remove anything from the coral and besides, doing so will kill it, so even if you are tempted, leave everything as you find it.
This is a truly once in a lifetime journey and you should do your bit to help the region, and the reef by treating it with the utmost respect.