Great Itineraries in Great Barrier Reef

Most visits to the Great Barrier Reef combine time on an island with time in Queensland's mainland towns and parks. With a week or more you could stay at two very different resorts, perhaps at an activities-packed Whitsunday resort and a mountainous northern island, allowing a day or two to travel between them. If you want to resort-hop, pick the closely arranged Whitsundays, or Orpheus, Hinchinbrook, and Bedarra islands, all relatively close to one another.

If You Have 1 Day

Take a boat from Cairns or Port Douglas to a pontoon on the outer reef for a day on the water. A helicopter flight back will provide an astounding view of the reef and islands from above. Or catch an early boat from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, or from Shute Harbour to Daydream Island. Spend a couple of hours snorkeling, take a walk around the island, then settle on a quiet beach for an idyllic afternoon.

If You Have 3 Days

Pick one island with a variety of aquatic and land-based activities and attractions—flora and fauna, beaches and dive sites, sports and relaxation facilities, resort-style nightlife—and give yourself a taste of everything.

If You Have 7 or More Days

Planning a full week on an island probably means that you're a serious diver, a serious lounger, or both. Divers should hop on one of the Lizard Island—Port Douglas live-aboards for several days, then recuperate on an island that has fringing coral, such as Lizard Island, or stay at any Whitsundays resort—most have fringing reefs or can arrange dive-boats out to Barrier Reef pontoons. Live-aboard trips, which can be surprisingly affordable, run from 2 to 10 days. Beach lovers might prefer to skip the live-aboard and concentrate on exploring one or two of the islands with outstanding beaches and hiking terrain, such as Hinchinbrook, Orpheus, Lizard, or Hayman.