What is the best port to see the Great Barrier Reef?
There are a few east coast towns that off Great Barrier Reef trips, the most popular being Port Douglas or Cairns. Although Cairns is a vibrant and cool city and many reef visitors base themselves here, I recommend Port Douglas over Cairns.
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The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres.
The best base for your Great Barrier Reef adventure really depends on your preferences. If you're looking for a more luxurious, laid-back experience, Port Douglas is a great option. If you want a wider range of activities and attractions, Cairns might be a better fit.
However, Palm Cove is ideal for couples on a weekend getaway, in need of relaxation but with the option of adventure. Whereas we recommend Port Douglas for families or large groups with a car who are intending to stay for longer than three days. Or, if you still can't decide, why not experience both?
Ocean Walker ? Helmet DivingAs a non-swimmer, you can see the reef up close during a helmet ?dive?. Breathing fresh air delivered from the surface into your helmet, you will walk underwater on a reef platform ? you can even wear your glasses if you wish!
The Great Barrier Reef is also prone to thunderstorms and the occasional cyclone. If you want reliably good underwater visibility, summer might not be the best time as rain and storms can cause the water to become murky. It's not all bad though.
Avoiding stinger seasonWhen you snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef during May to October you will avoid the peak stinger season. This is where box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish are around. These jellyfish are around all year, they are more common during the warmer months.
Snorkelling is by far the most popular and easiest activity to do when exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Simply needing some goggles, flippers, and a breathing tube, and visitors can plunge into the warm waters and be amazed by the world lying below the surface.
Take care when diving and snorkellingBe aware of where your fins are and avoid touching anything with them. Don't rest or stand on coral. If you must stand up, make sure it is on sand or use rest stations. Observe animals rather than handling them directly, and avoid blocking the path of free swimming animals.
Reaching the Barrier Reef from Cairns and Port Douglas only takes from 35 minutes to one and a half hours depending on your boat type and the location you are going to snorkel and scuba dive, whereas from everywhere else on the east coast of Australia it takes two and half to three hours to reach the snorkelling and ...
Only a 25 minute drive to Cairns and a 35 minute drive to Port Douglas, Palm Cove is situated in the perfect location to explore the many Attractions of Far North Queensland. The World Heritage-listed Rainforest is minutes from Palm Cove and the Great Barrier Reef; so close it is just a hop skip and a jump away.