| Australia's Great Barrier Reef is regarded as one of | | | | organized to view shark feedings, especially the |
| the world's most popular scuba diving holiday | | | | ferocious man eater, the Great White Shark, which |
| destination. The Great Barrier Reef is situated off the | | | | shot to stardom in the movie Jaws and its sequels. |
| east coast of Australia and it is the only living organic | | | | Divers are lowered into the clear water in steel cages |
| collective on earth, said to be visible from outer space. | | | | to view these man eating sharks closed up. |
| This Australian reef is also regarded as one of the | | | | Let us take a look at some of the popular dive |
| wonders of the world and was declared as a World | | | | locations in Great Barrier Reef :- |
| Heritage since 1981. It is the world's largest coral reef | | | | Cairns and Port Douglas - This is the area of the reef |
| ecosystem and being so huge, scuba divers are | | | | that is closest to the Queensland coast. It is because |
| offered a large array of magnificent dive sites and | | | | of this proximity to tourist centers and |
| bountiful marine life to enjoy. | | | | accommodations, the area attracts the biggest |
| The Great Barrier is more than 300,000 sq km (115, 831 | | | | numbers of divers here than anywhere else in the |
| sq miles) in size and is the home to more than 3000 | | | | Great Barrier Reef. There are some good dive spots |
| smaller reefs. Deciding where to scuba dive in this | | | | here for beginners as well as for experienced scuba |
| huge diving destination can certainly be a happy | | | | divers. |
| problem because of the many astounding choices. | | | | Southern Coral Sea - You encounter crystal clear |
| Wreck diving is a favorite scuba diving activity. | | | | water, steep drop offs, and pelagic fish when diving in |
| Amongst the many wrecks are Captain James | | | | The Southern Coral sea. Huge colorful soft corals and |
| Cook's ship "Endeavour". Another popular wreck is the | | | | gorgonians sea fans are typical features in this dive |
| HMS Pandora, which sunk in 1791. All in all, there are | | | | spot. |
| about 30 shipwreck dive sites for scuba divers to | | | | The Coral Sea is a "must dive" location for braver |
| explore. | | | | scuba divers who get a thrill out of mingling with |
| An amazing 2 million people visit the reef annually | | | | menacing sharks. |
| spending about a billion US dollars collectively and | | | | Southern Great Barrier Reef - This area is the largest |
| entrenching tourism as the main pillar of the eastern | | | | section of the Great Barrier Reef. However, since it is |
| Australia economy. Since tourism dollar is very | | | | further away from mainland Australia,it is less |
| important, it is thus vital for the Australian economy to | | | | accessible and diving done here are usually from |
| protect the reef from destruction and hence the | | | | liveaboard cruises. The Heron Island and Lady Elliot |
| magnificent reef protected in many ways. As a form | | | | Island in this part of the Barrier Reef offer the best |
| of protection, even recreational fishing is restricted to | | | | accessibility. |
| only certain areas and animals such as dolphins, | | | | If you are planning a holiday vacation to Australia, why |
| whales, dugongs are protected species. | | | | not make a trip to The Great Barrier Reef and go |
| For the more adventurous divers, there are dives | | | | scuba diving there? |