Comprised of 2,900 individual coral reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is amazingly the biggest living structure on the planet. It is so large in fact, that it is visible all the way from outer space! The Great Barrier Reef is as astonishingly beautiful as it is enormous and is home to not only 1600+ types of tropical fish alongside fauna such as sea turtles, rays, dolphins and whales, but also an incredible 600 different species of coral!
Visitors flock not only from all over the world to visit the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, but also from all over Australia – totalling more than 2 million visitors annually, in fact. A visit to the Great Barrier Reef is high on the bucket list of many travellers, and it’s not hard to see why!
There are a wide variety of different ways you can choose to explore the unimaginable beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. From the ever popular options such as snorkelling and diving, to taking a glass bottom boat tour or viewing the magic of the reef from the air via helicopter, there is something for everyone. However, if you are looking for an exciting and exhilarating way to explore the reef that is a bit out of the ordinary, we’ve got you covered! In this article we introduce you to two more unusual ways to explore the magic of the Great Barrier Reef.
Seawalker
Can you imagine for a moment, walking along the sea floor of the Great Barrier Reef? Amazing right? And totally possible thanks to the Seawalker! Available at both Green Island and via Sunlover Reef Cruises, Seawalker involves wearing an almost completely clear, fully enclosed Seawalker diving helmet, that allows you to view the incredible tropical fish and colourful coral that call the reef home for approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the dry comfort of your helmet.
That’s right, a Seawalker helmet not only leaves your head completely dry, but also allows for those who require contact lenses or glasses to wear them comfortably without issue. An air hose serves as your oxygen supply from the surface above. Seawalker is a fabulous option for people who have little to no swimming experience/confidence and does not require you to learn the ropes of any complicated equipment. You can also feel confident knowing your Seawalker guide is always beside you approximately 4 to 5 metres below the surface.
Image Credit: seawalker.com.au
Scuba Doo
Looking to take the Seawalker concept a step further? Then you should consider riding your very own scuba-style scooter, aptly named the “Scuba Doo”!
Not only is it tons of fun cruising around the Great Barrier Reef at up to 2.5 knots, like the Seawalker, your head (as well as your shoulders) remain completely dry! If you wear glasses or contact lenses, this may be a great option for you, as you can wear them as normal beneath your 180-degree Scuba Doo viewing dome.
Offered exclusively by Great Adventures, not far from the coast of Cairns you will climb onto your motorised scooter from the safety of the pontoon. Your yellow scooter is supported from above the water’s surface by means of a float, and the air within your viewing dome remains fresh and comfortable thanks to replenishment from a scuba tank.
With an air tank pre-fixed to the Scuba Doo, all you need to do is sit and enjoy the stunning sea life that surrounds you as you manoeuvre the scooter with ease. The Scuba Doo experience is perfect for individuals without extensive swimming experience wanting to experience all the magic of the Great Barrier Reef both safely and comfortably (alongside your guide). For approximately 20 minutes at a depth of roughly 4 metres, you can witness for yourself the stunning coral, tropical fish and other sea fauna that inhabit the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef.
Image Credit: awol.junkee.com
Excited by what you have learned about the Seawalker and Scuba Doo experiences on the Great Barrier Reef and looking for an amazing location to spend your tropical Queensland holiday? Look no further than Fitzroy Island, located just 45 minutes away via Fast Cat from Cairns Marina and boasting Australia’s Number One Beach, the breathtaking Nudey Beach, as per Australia’s Top 101 Beaches for 2018. With accommodation on offer to suit all budgets and tastes and an array of both adventurous and relaxing activities to enjoy, what are you waiting for – get in touch with us today! We look forward to welcoming you to the paradise that is Fitzroy Island soon.
