Beyond the Great Barrier Reef
There’s no doubt that the Great Barrier Reef, stretching along the north-eastern coast of Australia, is one of the natural wonders of the world.
It’s not the only spectacular snorkelling and diving location in Australia, with plenty of other stunning marine destinations lining the coast.
Here are three locations we recommend putting on your must-visit list.
1. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef on WA’s north-west coast is home to the world’s largest fringing reef and is brimming with sea life.
From the beach, visitors can wander straight onto the 260km-long reef where they can witness the likes of turtles, manta rays and humpback whales.
Ningaloo’s biggest drawcard is the chance to get an up-close encounter with majestic whale sharks. Each year between March and July, these harmless giants visit the area to feed on krill and plankton. Have a whale of a time and jump from a boat into the deep blue ocean to see the world’s largest fish as they glide by effortlessly.
2. Lord Howe Marine Park, New South Wales
Take a two-hour-flight east from Sydney and you’ll arrive on Lord Howe Island. Due to its unique location where warm tropical and cool temperate waters converge, the marine life is exceptionally diverse.
The Lord Howe Marine Park, established in 1999, covers an area of about 46,000 hectares, and is home to more than 500 fish species, 90 types of coral and other marine creatures.
Lagoon Beach is home to the world’s southern-most coral reef. Glass-bottomed boats operate in the lagoon area, providing visitors a crystal-clear view of the coral and other marine life below. You can also take snorkelling tours to several areas to see rare and unusual coral and fish species.
3. Rowley Shoals, Western Australia
Snorkel and dive at these three remote coral atolls about 300km west of Broome. Rowley Shoals’ isolated location provides visitors with untouched coral gardens, stunning marine life and clear lagoons.
As you dive into the Indian Ocean’s turquoise waters, you’ll see a wide variety of corals, fish, molluscs and other marine life, some of which is unique to Australia. Keep your eyes peeled for larger animals like sea turtles, manta rays, whales and dolphins.
