Great Barrier Reef - Is it worth it if you are only snorkeling?
Jun 24th, 2009, 05:42 AM
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Great Barrier Reef - Is it worth it if you are only snorkeling?
We are planning to take a 2-week trip in late August to Australia.
We are flying in and out of Sydney, and want to visit Uluru, the wine region around Adelaide, and possibly another area. The Great Barrier Reef seems pretty far and not sure it's worth it if we are only snorkeling in August.
We are flying in and out of Sydney, and want to visit Uluru, the wine region around Adelaide, and possibly another area. The Great Barrier Reef seems pretty far and not sure it's worth it if we are only snorkeling in August.
Jun 24th, 2009, 06:10 AM
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We went up to Port Douglas from Sydney in late June (several years ago) for the sole purpose of snorkeling. It was one of the top two travel experiences ever (the other being seeing a kill on Safari in South Africa). No jellyfish issues. The water was slightly chilly but with wet suits we were fine. We snorkeled for 2 hours or so...an amazing experience.
Enjoy!
jjh
Enjoy!
jjh
Jun 24th, 2009, 07:43 AM
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Two weeks is not a huge ammount of time to do all you may want to but allowing about four days for Sydney, a couple over in Adelaide for getting a round the vineyards/wineries you could still have 3-4 days for the centre and then fly Uluru direct to Cairns.
It's a great area to visit in August as weather should be reasonably mild as against the chillier time you'll have in Sydney and Adelaide.
And yes, snorkelling on the GBR is in deed a wonderous experience and many more people would just snorkel than what would be qualified divers.
There's a large range of trips you can do, smaller slower boats that go to islands/atolls and larger ones that go out to platforms anchored at the outer reef, up to a couple of hours travelling time the from mainland and there is the option to pay extra to do a return by helicopter, it also being a great experience.
It's a great area to visit in August as weather should be reasonably mild as against the chillier time you'll have in Sydney and Adelaide.
And yes, snorkelling on the GBR is in deed a wonderous experience and many more people would just snorkel than what would be qualified divers.
There's a large range of trips you can do, smaller slower boats that go to islands/atolls and larger ones that go out to platforms anchored at the outer reef, up to a couple of hours travelling time the from mainland and there is the option to pay extra to do a return by helicopter, it also being a great experience.
Jun 24th, 2009, 09:21 AM
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We are snorkel-mad so "just snorkeling" isn't in our vocabulary!! We have been to the GBR several times and were wowed each time. It is a marvelous experience. If the weather is good, the highly rated Wavelength trip out of Port Douglas takes only snorkelers to three different places. We had windy weather when we were there so opted for a larger boat to a pontoon. Still great. Also we did a one day fly-snorkel trip with Daintree Air (www.daintreeair.com) to Lizard Island. FANTASTIC! We have also gone on a dive boat (as snorkelers) and snorkeled our brains out for three days with Spirit of Freedom (www.spiritoffreedom.com). It was the best travel experience ever. The key fact you need to know is that you must do boat snorkeling instead of shore snorkeling to get to the GBR since it is off the coastline. We have also been to the Whitsundays for Reef Sleep where you go to the pontoon with the regular snorkel boat but get to stay overnight. In August it might be cool there, though. Bottomline--yes, the GBR is worth it and if the dire warnings of global warming and coral kill happen sooner than they expect, then it won't be there in future so you'd better see it now. That's my argument anyway for making a snorkel vacation a priority!
Sally in Seattle read my trip reports under SnR and SnRSeattle
Sally in Seattle read my trip reports under SnR and SnRSeattle
Jun 24th, 2009, 09:38 AM
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Absolutely. We went snorkeling from a boat out of Port Douglas and also at Heron Island (both from shore and a boat). Breathtaking and much better than anywhere else I've ever snorkeled. The Reef is in danger, so if you have any interest, I'd encourage you to make time to see it.
Jun 24th, 2009, 11:56 AM
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I personally would choose the Cairns/Daintree area over Adelaide or Uluru. The snorkeling is great, and there's a lot more to do in the area than that -- e.g., the Djupukai Aboriginal Center, the Daintree rain forest.
I personally am not particularly into wine, and although I've enjoyed visits to wineries and breweries (we had an interesting visit to the Sierra Nevada brewery in Chico, CA, a week ago), they seem very similar across the world. By contrast, what you will see in northern Queensland in quite unique.
Neither my husband nor I could understand why people are so crazy about Uluru. To us it was just a big rock, and lodging and food are very expensive. We thought as much beforehand, but so many people seemed entranced by it that we decided we should experience it. I'm glad that we did because otherwise we would have always wondered what we'd missed but mainly because we also visited Alice Springs, which we totally enjoyed.
I personally am not particularly into wine, and although I've enjoyed visits to wineries and breweries (we had an interesting visit to the Sierra Nevada brewery in Chico, CA, a week ago), they seem very similar across the world. By contrast, what you will see in northern Queensland in quite unique.
Neither my husband nor I could understand why people are so crazy about Uluru. To us it was just a big rock, and lodging and food are very expensive. We thought as much beforehand, but so many people seemed entranced by it that we decided we should experience it. I'm glad that we did because otherwise we would have always wondered what we'd missed but mainly because we also visited Alice Springs, which we totally enjoyed.
Jun 24th, 2009, 02:47 PM
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I agree with the others "only snorkeling" is a great way to see the Barrier Reef. You may not get as far down as scuba but you can cover more "ground" and see a lot. Most of the coral is very close to the surface. Last time I visited the GBR was last August off of Cape Tribulation - a magnificant snorkeling experience.
With just 2 weeks, I would stick to no more than 3 areas. For me, it would be hard to choose between South Australia, Central Australia, and Far North Queensland.
With just 2 weeks, I would stick to no more than 3 areas. For me, it would be hard to choose between South Australia, Central Australia, and Far North Queensland.
Jun 24th, 2009, 03:15 PM
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As far as tour experiences go the area around Cairns and Port Douglas is one of the most fantastic destinations in the World. Not only just for snorkeling but for scenery, wildlife, birds, World Heritage forests etc etc. The snorkeling is wonderful and I would be making it the prime destination in Australia. I have to agree with judilie about Uluru because of what she says and also because there are far easier places to get to with better attractions in the "outback" theme than Uluru. I would be spending my time in Sydney - wineries of the Hunter Valley ( close to Sydney) and the GBR. I live in Australia and find that 10 days in the GBR area is not long enough and I have been about 10 times.
Jun 24th, 2009, 03:31 PM
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Another vote for the reef, I'm only a snorkeler but we regularly go to Heron Island to snorkel. I think we have now been six times.
Snorkeling is one of the most relaxing things I have ever done and yet incredibly fascinating. You see different things everytime, although my favourites are the turtles. Seeing a nest of turtle hatchlings pelt down the beach is total magic.
The Red Centre is also an amazing environment to visit, but just visiting Uluru, without going to Alice Springs, would be the archetypal tourist "in and out experience." In other words, you won't get much sense of the area.
I agree with Ralph pick 3 locations as you will lose a day travelling between them.
Snorkeling is one of the most relaxing things I have ever done and yet incredibly fascinating. You see different things everytime, although my favourites are the turtles. Seeing a nest of turtle hatchlings pelt down the beach is total magic.
The Red Centre is also an amazing environment to visit, but just visiting Uluru, without going to Alice Springs, would be the archetypal tourist "in and out experience." In other words, you won't get much sense of the area.
I agree with Ralph pick 3 locations as you will lose a day travelling between them.
Jun 24th, 2009, 03:46 PM
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Yes North Queensland is indeed a world class destination. Like other areas in Australia, a few days doesnt do it much justice. You could easily spend 10 days or more in the area. I was there last year for the 4th time...check out my trip report with photos (link near bottom)..
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-08-part-1.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-08-part-1.cfm
Jun 24th, 2009, 03:56 PM
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You can see that there are always going to be so many different ideas for replanning your trip but if you have your heart set on particular regions, there's no need to go altering your plan to any great extent.
For sure there'll only be so much you can do with limited time, but paying close attention to flight times, www.webjet.com.au for that, and looking for earliest morning or later evening flights and checking into a hotel in the evening you can schedule your flying time for when you would otherwise be less active.
Some people are not into vineyards/wineries and that's fine but if you are, you usually go for the total atmosphere of locational environment to tasting and may have a look at cellars or other interesting features but it is hardly the processing plant as in a brewery you go to look at.
The Barossa Valley and Clare Valley or Mc Claren Vale are all areas so much closer to Adelaide than what the Hunter is to Sydney, and the localities are ever so much more tranquil.
Another alternative would be to fly into Melbourne as there is also a great range of vineyards much closer than Hunter is to Sydney. And you'll find www.tigerairways.com.au have cheapest flights Melbourne to Alice Springs.
With 3-4 days for the centre, you can fly to Alice Springs and perhaps if a little adventurous take a camping tour out to Uluru, www.waywardbus.com.au for example, one of the best ways to see some of the outback and especially sleeping out under an inland starry night - a free but great bonus not to be missed.
And it'll just come down to prioritising on how much time you want to allow for each location but you should still be able to comfortably fit in the GBR without having to feel too rushed about it, knowing that ten days you do not have but certainly do not need.
For sure there'll only be so much you can do with limited time, but paying close attention to flight times, www.webjet.com.au for that, and looking for earliest morning or later evening flights and checking into a hotel in the evening you can schedule your flying time for when you would otherwise be less active.
Some people are not into vineyards/wineries and that's fine but if you are, you usually go for the total atmosphere of locational environment to tasting and may have a look at cellars or other interesting features but it is hardly the processing plant as in a brewery you go to look at.
The Barossa Valley and Clare Valley or Mc Claren Vale are all areas so much closer to Adelaide than what the Hunter is to Sydney, and the localities are ever so much more tranquil.
Another alternative would be to fly into Melbourne as there is also a great range of vineyards much closer than Hunter is to Sydney. And you'll find www.tigerairways.com.au have cheapest flights Melbourne to Alice Springs.
With 3-4 days for the centre, you can fly to Alice Springs and perhaps if a little adventurous take a camping tour out to Uluru, www.waywardbus.com.au for example, one of the best ways to see some of the outback and especially sleeping out under an inland starry night - a free but great bonus not to be missed.
And it'll just come down to prioritising on how much time you want to allow for each location but you should still be able to comfortably fit in the GBR without having to feel too rushed about it, knowing that ten days you do not have but certainly do not need.
Jun 24th, 2009, 06:25 PM
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Sally is a rabid snorkeler, and I would listen to her regarding the snorkeling at the GBR 
You will see and experience a great deal snorkeling, I don't think you will be disappointed if you decide to go.
You will see and experience a great deal snorkeling, I don't think you will be disappointed if you decide to go.
Jun 24th, 2009, 11:47 PM
#15
Yes. Absolutely "worth it" to snorkel. The GBR is one of those places where you don't need to be deep into the water to see lots. I think if you see Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, you'll really have experienced the true "heart & soul" of Australia. Just my 2 cents worth ... I've done both several times & would go back in a heart beat. I may be biased though - I'm Australian.
Jun 25th, 2009, 04:36 AM
#16
The snorkeling at GBR was incredible. But so was everything else in that part of the world. Spent 5 days based near Pt. Douglas and only snorkeled once. But EVERY day felt like a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience.
