Travelling to the Great Barrier Reef? Want to see some incredible wildlife up close and personal? Why not travel to the underwater world in style!

Scuba diving is one of the best ways to see the Great Barrier Reef and is easy for any kind of traveller! Become weightless as you plunge into the waters, floating along as fish whizz around you. Forget swimming up to the surface to gulp for air, scuba diving lets you wander the ocean floor without having to surface once.

What to expect

Scuba diving takes some getting use to, so when you are first learning, baby steps are important. It’s a good idea to have at least some basic swimming skills, but if you are nervous, your guide can help you with any extra tips you may need. Most of the time, your first intro lesson is in a pool, not open water. This allows you to get use to the gear and the basic skills before getting into deep waters. After this test run, you are ready! Your guide will take you out to the open waters, monitoring you as you swim through the coral reefs.

What to wear

Gear is very important in scuba diving, a faulty set of goggles or oxygen tank, may affect your experience. The basic outfits include a wet suit, an oxygen backpack, goggles, and flippers, with you wearing your own bather’s underneath. Once you are swimming, you only need to focus on two elements, keeping your goggles clear and your mouthpiece watertight. Your goggles may take a couple times to master, but once fixed securely, no water can enter no matter how deep you get. Underwater vision is a little different to the surface as the goggles can obstruct your peripheral vision. All your diving gear is provided on all of our snorkelling tours, all you need to bring is bathers and a towel!

Important things to remember

There are several factors may impact your ability to scuba dive. Flying is an important thing to keep in mind. It is recommended that you wait 24 hours after any dive before getting on any flights, no matter how short they area. This is due to the underwater and air pressure affecting your body. The excess nitrogen absorbed during diving can cause a decompression sickness when an individual fly’s too soon.

Before booking your dive in, it is a good idea to answer a scuba diving medical questionnaire. The questionnaire will ask you about about breathing issues, ear injuries, pregnancy, and other ailments that may make diving unsafe. If you do have any of the conditions listed, you will either not be able to participate or will have limited access. Safety is of the utmost importance and we won’t allow anyone to dive it if is unsafe for them.

There is always an alternative!

If you don’t feel ready for a dive, there are always other options! Snorkelling is a great alternative, offering you a chance to see just as much as the reef, without the hustle and bustle.

Related article: How to get to the Great Barrier Reef?

Explore Our Great Barrier Reef Tours!

Previous article: