What are some activities to do at the Great Barrier Reef?

What are some activities to do at the Great Barrier Reef?

Top 5 Things to Do in the Great Barrier Reef

• Snorkelling. Get up close and personal with the creatures and learn more about the ecosystem of this incredible natural hotspot.
• Scuba Diving. If you’re after something a little more exciting, why not try scuba diving?
• Visit Green Island.
• Helicopter Flight.
• Whitehaven Beach.

What do tourists do when they visit the Great Barrier Reef?

Diving and Snorkelling With warm weather all year round you can spend hours exploring the best coral reef systems in the world while enjoying the opportunity to swim amongst the unique marine life, including the awesome giant clams, some of which are over 100 years old.

How do you explore the Great Barrier Reef?

Here are just a few ways that you can experience the many and varied wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

1. Get a bird’s eye view.
2. Spot the Great Eight.
3. Charter a yacht or stay aboard a dive boat.
4. Ogle from an underwater observatory.
5. Go on a glass-bottom boat.
6. Cast away to an island retreat.
7. Sleep on the reef.

What was the Great Barrier Reef in the past?

The reef as we know it today is built on the backs and bones of many millions of years of coral as the ocean levels have changed, islands have formed and land has settled. The current formation that we know and love is about 6,000 to 8,000 years old and sits on the platform of a much older reef.

What are the problems with the Great Barrier Reef?

The Reef is highly vulnerable. In the past three decades, it has lost half its coral cover, pollution has caused deadly starfish outbreaks, and global warming has produced horrific coral bleaching. Coastal development also looms as a major threat.

How can we slow down coral bleaching?

Every Day

1. Minimize use of fertilizers. EPA diver swimming over a coral reef outcrop showing stony corals and soft corals (sea fans).
2. Use environmentally-friendly modes of transportation.
3. Reduce stormwater runoff.
4. Save energy at home and at work.
5. Be conscious when buying aquarium fish.
6. Spread the word!

What does fertilizer do to coral?

Clean water is vital for both communities and coral reefs. For example, excess nitrogen from wastewater or fertilizer enables the overgrowth of algae which can kill corals by smothering them, blocking their access to sunlight and promoting the growth of harmful bacteria.

Does coral help clean water?

Water Filtration Most corals and sponges are filter feeders, which means that they consume particulate matter suspended in the water column. This contributes to enhanced quality and clarity of our near shore waters.