Great(est) Barrier Reef: Diving
One of the world's greatest wonders: The Great Barrier Reef. The iridescence of life is like going to the moon, only closer. It’s the epitome of awe.
(Cover Image by rajarajaraja)
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Aerial view of Cairns and the reef, Image by Manny Moreno
Where? Cains
Cairns, tropical in North Queensland, Australia, has a range of attractions focused mostly on natural wonders that make it an enticing destination. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, it’s the largest coral reef on the planet. It encompasses reef and uncontained aquarium wildlife over 1,400 miles. There are thousands of reefs including over 600 kinds of coral and upwards of 1,500 fish species that populate this expanse.
PADI Diving
There are a handful of options to experience the Great Barrier Reef.
Snorkeling provides spectacles through the looking glass, a way to indulge in a vista of the underworld without compromising your regular breathing apparatus. However, if you want a wider breadth of exposure, diving is the way to go. You can see Nemo! One can see living entities you may have had no idea existed. Included in this roster are tame shark species like the reef shark, ancient turtles, and astounding octopus.
Diving: PADI Certification
If you’re curious about the underwater world, and if you’ve never dove before, PADI open water certification is what’s required before going out to sea. The 4-day PADI certification and diving trips are consecutive days out on the reef via boat. It begins classroom-side to make sure pre-divers have the proper intel to take into the waters. There’s a handful of knowledge to glean before being trusted with diving. Then you’re given diving gear and with close supervision, granted dives into the reef where sensations outpace those above water. It’s an investment and a top-notch experience that gives the ability to dive anywhere they recognize PADI worldwide.
It’s life-changing going into the depths of the world with a tank. The temperature changes, the light is different, you can hear your own breathing, and for those concerned about potential claustrophobia, which I was like, it’s not claustrophobic at all. It feels strangely spontaneous and liberal.
During the PADI certification, there are a few dives post-certification that include a night dive where the phosphorescence is something else. A wreck dive is also an option. The classes and trips are usually conducted by one primary teacher and include 5-10 others in your same boat.
Where to Stay? Hilton Cairns or Hostels
The town of Cairns is itself a party one. There are boisterously fun bars throughout the beach town plenty. It’s a blast. A great number of hostels and backpacker-friendly joints populate the city as it draws that crowd, there are local barbecues to take part in for blocks. Whereas, if you’re looking for something more comfortable as well as close to the reef dive sites, or Divers Den which grants PADI certification, the Hilton Cairns is it. It’s civilized, adult-style with award-winning eats, and has the views.
Did you know many sea turtles are naturally high off their diet of algae? Image by Chad Taylor
*Safety tip
Try not to overeat or eat anything delicate to digest before diving. A fellow diver threw up as we got into the water, something you want to avoid.
It’s also important to mention that in recent years, the reef has faced the onset of climate change. Some of the mitigation initiatives include over 300 researchers committed to finding solutions to reef restoration and resilience in the face of coral bleaching. Since 2022, initiatives have included planting 8 million coral larvae on mega reefs, building reef strength in genetic markers of warmer temperatures, developing hybrid coral species with a focus on temperature tolerance, and implementing 90 monitoring and evaluation sites to keep track of coral life over time. While climate change is a large-picture issue, it’s not hopeless. The reef is still abound of vital life and a lively ecosystem.
If you do dive or snorkel be sure to respect life on the reef and avoid touching or destroying anything you come upon…!
Bottom line
The Great Barrier Reef is overall for ocean lovers, a living ecosystem that’s an invitation to the water-lustful. For dive enthusiasts, the Great Barrier Reef by its size alone, is one of the most impressive dive destinations there is. For those who’ve never dived before, the Great Barrier is still going to be one of the most awesome destinations there is, while being a special location to get certified. The empowering thing about PADI certification at the Great Barrier Reef is that you get a handful of dives in the learning process, it’s a package that grants access to the reef in full, as well as enabling dives elsewhere.
Diving the Great Barrier is something that provides perspective. It provides perspective like nowhere else.
