Oceania · Queensland

Great Barrier Reef, from Cairns

Underwater Full day difficulty: Moderate with kids: yes

From the city of Cairns, full-day boats set out to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef in the world. Many take families to floating platforms anchored over the reef, with shallow areas, life vests, and guides, to snorkel over coral gardens full of fish.

The pop wink

The Great Barrier Reef is so large it can be seen from space, and it's the reef where the clownfish lives: the underwater world of the Nemo film is inspired by these Australian corals. The floating platforms let the whole family look in on that garden of colors.

With kids

Look for clownfish among the anemones, like Nemo
Snorkel from the floating platform in the shallow area
See the coral of a thousand colors with mask and tube
Discover why this reef can be seen even from space

Accessibility: Snorkeling from about age 6 with vest and guide; the «intro dive» has minimum ages set by each operator — ask them

With family

Take the full-day boat from Cairns to the platform
Choose snorkeling for all or an intro dive depending on age and operator
Always go out with reef guides and operators
Talk about why the coral must be protected from the sea's heat

Full listing, routes and recommendations at Mi País — Great Barrier Reef, from Cairns. ← All destinations