The Great Barrier Reef
About The Great Barrier Reef
The World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the largest living structure. It is visible from outer space and stretches over 2000 km in length along the Queensland coast in Australia.
The Whitsundays region is ideally located near the central section of the Great Barrier Reef and is the perfect base to explore this aquatic wonderland. The Great Barrier Reef protects the Whitsunday Coast and Islands from huge ocean swells providing the region with some of the safest and smoothest sailing and cruising waters in the world.
The Heart Reef
The magical naturally formed Heart Reef is located in the Great Barrier Reef near the Whitsundays and is best viewed from the air. Take a seaplane or helicopter flight to admire this beautiful sight, or surprise a loved one with the ultimate gesture over the region’s most romantic natural icon.
Visit the Great Barrier Reef with Cruise Whitsundays
Beyond the Whitsundays, your destination is Heart Pontoon, our multilevel reef facility permanently moored 39 nautical miles from shore at spectacular Hardy Reef. Snorkel, swim, dive and explore – an undersea encounter with this amazing ecosystem is unforgettable. Or if you’d rather stay dry, experience the reef from our underwater observatory or take a ride in a semi-submarine. After a sumptuous buffet lunch, you’ll have more time to explore before you head back to shore with lifelong memories of this epic Australian icon.
- Scenic return cruise through the Whitsundays to the outer reef
- 4 hours at Hardy Reef
- Snorkelling with all gear provided, including wetsuits and stinger suits
- Access to underwater observatory
- Semi-submarine guided tour
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- Optional activities (own expense): guided snorkelling safaris, scuba diving and heli-scenic flights
Visit the Heart Reef with Air Whitsundays
Witness the finest the region has to offer in one half day tour and enjoy the incredible land and seascapes of the World Heritage listed Whitsunday Islands National Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from both the air and on the surface. This tour includes snorkelling and coral viewing from our private semi-submersible at our very own reef location inside the calm waters of Hardy Lagoon. The vessel has an underwater viewing chamber, sun and shade deck areas, along with easy access into the water. Our guests are able to take advantage of snorkelling, while rejuvenating in the refreshing waters amongst ancient coral gardens teeming with marine life.
This adventure at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is followed with a relaxing one hour visit to Whitehaven Beach. Frequently voted as one of the world’s top ten beaches, this striking stretch of silica beach on Whitsunday Island National Park is the perfect location to enjoy a picnic lunch, explore and recline in the crystal clear waters with turtles and rays.
