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Travel Specials > Destination Information > Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Recently, the Great Barrier Reef was voted best destination by the World Travel and Tourism Council. So, what makes this destination so special?   Established as a park in 1975, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest marine protected area in the world at almost 348,700 square kilometers and the world’s single largest coral system. With the broad, shallow continental shelf of tropical northeastern Australia providing an ideal pedestal for growth, this coral complex reaches as far as 160 miles offshore and more than 1,250 miles from north to south. Found off the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is home to over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of mollusks, and 500 species of seaweed, as well as several species of birds, sea snakes and sea turtles.    What exactly is a coral reef? It is made up of both dead and living coral, located just below the water's surface. Colorful coral is the living part of the reef, while white coral is dead. The Great Barrier Reef is actually comprised of roughly 2,800 individual reefs; it is not a single, continuous barrier.   The Great Barrier Reef is a snorkeling and scuba diving adventure park!  Popular diving spots include some of the many shipwrecks found within the Reef. Additionally, the Reef is breeding grounds for humpback whales. There are hundreds of tour options available for viewing and experiencing the Great Barrier Reef; something for everyone!   These are some of the Great Barrier Reef Tour options to choose from:   Diving: There are several different tours available daily for divers, departing from Cairns and Port Douglas. Tours are typically between 6 – 9 hours, include lunch and the vessels range from small high speed luxury catamarans, to large catamarans that have their own platforms on the outer reef.   Snorkeling: These tours are very similar to the dive tours, except that you don’t have to know how to dive. They also depart from Cairns and Port Douglas, are usually between 6-9 hours, and have a variety of vessel types to choose from. Many of the snorkel tours can be combined with the dive tours. Fishing: While one-third of the Great Barrier Reef park is a no-fishing zone, there are many tours available daily for the other 2-thirds. Sightseeing: If you prefer to just relax and stay dry, there are plenty of sightseeing tours available, including semi-submersible boats to platforms featuring underwater observatories. Helicopter Tours: Experience a bird’s eye view of the reef with a flight tour! These tours are usually between 30-60 minutes long, and operate year round, subject to weather conditions.   Great Barrier Reef Cruies: If you want to spend more than just one day on the reef, there are cruise options ranging from 2-7 nights, on sail boats that only hold 10 passengers, or small cruise ships that hold up to 50 passengers.   Located north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the Great Barrier Reef has beautiful temperatures all year long. However, it is largely agreed that the best time to dive is October through December, while January through March can often be quite rainy.   Sounds exciting, right? Well, there's no time better than the present to start planning your vacation to "The World's Best Destination!" View our Packages to Australia, many which include an unforgettable trip to the Great Barrier Reef.