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The Great Barrier Reef: A Complete Guide to Exploring Australia's Natural Wonder

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Do you know that The Great Barrier Reef is one of the wonders visible from space? This beauty in Australia is one of the must-visit places. Located on the northeastern coast of Queensland, in the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most remarkable destinations.

The Great Barrier Reef is indeed one of the first wonders to be given the title of World Heritage area. This place stretches across 2300 kilometres and hosts a diverse variety of aquatic and marine life. The Great Barrier Reef houses 400 coral species, 4000 mollusc species, and 1500 large fish species. Apart from that, you will also find 240 different varieties of fish in this region.

History of the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is said to be thousands of years old. In fact, some believe that the place was formed around 20,000 years ago because of the rising sea level and flooded continental shelf. In the late 18th century, the Europeans discovered the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef has had a considerable role to play in the lives of Indigenous Australians over the years.

Explore the Marine Life of The Great Barrier Reef

Once you plan to visit The Great Barrier Reef, you must secure your trip. Thus, you must consider buying foreign travel insurance. Once your trip is secured, you can go on the adventure of exploring the unique marine life around the reef.

Some of the well-known variety of aquatic and marine lives that you're likely to come across at The Great Barrier Reef include the following:

1. Clownfish:

If you have watched Finding Nemo, you probably know what a clownfish is. These bright-coloured and small fishes live in anemones.

2. Turtles:

Hundreds of years old turtles can also be found swimming around The Great Barrier Reef. At The Great Barrier Reef, you will find six varieties of turtles: loggerhead turtle, hawksbill turtle, and green turtle.

3. Shark:

While the sight of a shark can be scary, it indeed is thrilling. There are 135 varieties of sharks at the reef, some of the most popular ones being tiger shark, hammerhead shark and grey reef shark.

4. Stingrays:

Another popular species that can be found at The Great Barrier Reef are stingrays, available in different shapes and sizes. These are usually seen at the bottom of the reef. However, make sure to protect yourself against venomous spines.

How to Visit The Great Barrier Reef?

Before visiting The Great Barrier Reef, make sure that you buy travel insurance online. This will protect you against any mishaps that may happen during the trip. If you're visiting Australia, it should be easy for you to visit The Great Barrier Reef. It is accessible via almost all parts of Australia as long as you're taking the necessary means of transport.

You can visit Cairns from Sydney, Melbourne or any other major city in Australia to visit the reef. Helicopter services are also available for a trip to the reef. So, you may consider your budget and plan the trip accordingly.

A Trip to Islands Around The Great Barrier Reef

The 74 Whitsunday Islands around The Great Barrier Reef make up to be one of the most beautiful archipelagos. Approximately 66 of these are yet inhabited. However, there are specific accommodation options around the islands. If you're planning to take accommodation at these, it's advisable to get foreign travel insurance. If you lose your luggage or any such belongings, you will be able to get them back.

If you don't want to stay in any high-end luxury resorts, affordable options such as campsites are also available. However, these campsites are available on Whitehaven Beach. However, around these islands, you can enjoy a wide range of activities such as sailing, trekking, whale watching, seaplane flights, and even trekking.

When Should You Visit The Great Barrier Reef?

You can buy travel insurance online before you head out on your tour to The Great Barrier Reef. You should choose the best time to explore the reef so that the aquatic life is visible to you. In order to soak in the beauty of The Great Barrier Reef, both summers and winters are an ideal time.

May to October is often considered to be one of the most ideal times for exploring The Great Barrier Reef. During this time, the temperature is pleasant, and the rainfall isn't common. Moreover, the waters are clear during this time, providing the perfect opportunity to go for a dive. This is also the time when you can indulge in a wide range of aquatic adventures.

Scuba Diving in The Great Barrier Reef

The best way to explore the beauty of The Great Barrier Reef is to go scuba diving. No matter how time-consuming this sounds, it is actually exciting. Once you go scuba diving, you witness the beauty of marine life, such as sharks, turtles and more.

However, you should be a little mindful about your entire scuba diving experience. Some of the top tips to follow are as follows:

1. Choose a Reputable Scuba Diving Instructor

You need to choose a reputable scuba diving instructor around Cairns. You should look into what safety standards they follow. Furthermore, you must also look into their certifications, like PADI and SSI. You must also check how many years of experience they have.

2. Get Certifications

You must get certified before heading out for the experience. In order to obtain certifications, you will have to complete theory and practical lessons along with some open-water dives. There are several diving schools around you where you can get the certification courses.

3. Be in Shape

Scuba diving is a very demanding sport. Therefore, you must stay in shape. Being physically fit ensures that you can explore true beauty. Moreover, before you go for a dive, you will have to undergo a complete medical checkup. Therefore, you must be in shape and do proper cardiovascular exercises.

4. Carry the Right Gear

If you want to go scuba diving, you must carry the specialised gear. If you don't have the gears, don't hit the waters. For the gears, you will have to bring fins, a wetsuit, a mask, and a regulator. Your operator must guide you about what gears to carry. Different operators will carry different types of gear.

5. Get a Travel Insurance

You must get family travel insurance if your entire family is going scuba diving. However, if you're going solo, a single insurance should be fine. Getting travel insurance will be helpful, primarily in protecting yourself against injuries and accidents. If you're getting the insurance, make sure to check the coverage to see if travel insurance is covered in it or not.

6. Respect the Marine Life

The Great Barrier Reef is a massive part of the environment, so be very respectful towards it. When you're scuba diving, you need to be mindful of the fragile environment. Refrain from touching or disturbing the coral reef, as it can affect marine life in negative ways. This helps in maintaining complete safety standards.

Conclusion

The Great Barrier Reef is the hub of trying new things. You must plan your trip accordingly. When you're travelling with family, you must get family travel insurance and secure your trip. There is a wide range of things that you can try here, so make sure to participate in all of them. This will play an essential role in protecting against any of the potential dangers that may occur along the way.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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