{"id":4564,"date":"2017-11-26T16:52:07","date_gmt":"2017-11-26T21:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/?p=4564"},"modified":"2019-01-15T20:32:36","modified_gmt":"2019-01-16T01:32:36","slug":"great-barrier-reef-to-visit-or-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventurousretirement.com\/blog\/great-barrier-reef-to-visit-or-not\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Barrier Reef – To Visit or Not?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great Barrier Reef<\/h1>\n

\"Hawksbill<\/a>Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is touted as a special place, and has been on my bucket list for a long time. The question remains \u2013 \u2018Is it still the special place it once was, and worth a visit?\u2019<\/p>\n

Having been there for 10 days in 2017, I have a strong opinion about whether it is worth spending the time and money, or not. It is not strictly a ‘yes or no answer.’ Check out our experience and my recommendations…<\/p>\n

What is so special about the Great Barrier Reef?<\/h1>\n

\"Great<\/a>A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on earth and is visible from outer space. Encompassing thousands of reefs and islands with immeasurable species of fish, turtles, dolphins, mollusks, starfish, and what was once 600 soft and hard types of coral (not sure of today\u2019s number), it is over 1400 miles long. I definitely wanted to see all the underwater beauty and did not care how many people said it was bleached or dead. We did see some bleached out or dead coral from the warm currents and cyclones.<\/p>\n

Great Barrier Reef – To Visit by\u00a0Land or Sea Visit<\/h2>\n

Are you going to the area mainly to see the reef?\u00a0 If yes, the first decision is \u2013 from where to base your visit:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Land trip \u2013 Cairns or Port Douglas to boat out to the reef for day trips?
    \nYou cannot swim in the ocean from the beaches in Cairns or Port Douglas (the gateway to GBR) due to the saltwater crocodiles. Boating out to the reef is how most people get to GBR, which is pricey.<\/li>\n
  2. Live aboard a boat?<\/li>\n
  3. Stay on an island? Most islands are very expensive and still require a boat trip to reach the reef, so we passed on this.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Dive<\/a>If going out to the reef by boat, choose between day snorkel trips, dive trips, or a multi-day liveaboard trip.\u00a0\u00a0We chose a 4-day liveaboard to see the Great Barrier Reef.\u00a0 It was by far the best part of our 10 days in this region. Aboard the Spirit of Freedom<\/a> we selected the Ribbon Reef to Cod Hole trip. These sites are in northern Queensland past Cape Tribulation, up to Cooktown, then north and east.<\/p>\n

    Great Barrier Reef on Spirit of Freedom Liveaboard<\/h2>\n

    Disclamer: While we were invited guests by TUSA Dive for 3 nights\/4 days discounted trip, these are our honest opinions.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Based on our experiences in Port Douglas, Cairns, and on the Spirit of Freedom, the best way to see the Great Barrier Reef is by liveaboard. Although I prefer land-based diving, a liveaboard is the ONLY way the Great Barrier Reef is worth the time and money, especially as an experienced diver.<\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s the low down on the Spirit of Freedom liveaboard, the reef, the activities, the boat\u2026\"MV<\/a><\/p>\n

    Daily Activities<\/h2>\n

    \"Wendy<\/a><\/p>\n