The only place to see the Great Barrier Reef in its 2,000km long entirety off Australia’s Pacific shore is from a spacecraft orbiting the earth. But the best way to enjoy its amazing variety of 400 species of coral and more than 2,000 species of fish in glorious technicolour is under the sea. Comfortable water temperatures and good visibility make it an ideal classroom for first time divers.

Learn to dive

On our recommended five-day ‘Open Water’ certification course you’ll spend two days ashore in Cairns, doing basic pool work and theory, then three days sailing on a live-aboard dive boat on the Barrier Reef where you complete your training for your Padi qualification. There should still be time for several dives, including one at night, before returning to port.

Price from £595 per person, based on two sharing, including three nights’ accommodation in Cairns at the Shangri-La (room only), airport transfers, all Padi instruction and equipment and two nights (with all meals) in a twin cabin aboard your dive boat.

Experienced divers

For seasoned divers we would suggest a three-night trip from Cairns, beginning with a low-level flight out to Lizard island (just to save time), where you’ll board one of the most comfortable of the global fleet of specialist live-aboard boats, the Supersport. Your dozen dives include two at night and the famous Cod Hole, where you descend into a cloud of giant potato cod, as well as sights of pristine coral gardens, giant clams and possibly manta rays and turtles.

Price from £1099 per person, based on two sharing a standard cabin, including all meals, soft drinks, wine, diving and flight to Lizard Island.

When to go: Mid April to mid October.

Island stays and day trips

Of the many other possibilities for diving adventures we would recommend Heron, an island right on the Reef, its kaleidoscope of underwater gardens and resident fish being the maritime equivalent of the Garden of Eden. Alternatively Lizard Island is bang on the reef and you can snorkel off the beach or take a full day cruise to the outer reef for diving or snorkelling (including at the Cod Hole). See our hotels, islands section for our island options.

Those who prefer just to test the waters rather than commit to spending days on the Reef could base themselves on the mainland at Port Douglas or Cairns and take one or more day trips. See pages our Scenery section for further details.

Ningaloo Reef

Divers visiting the west coast can experience Australia’s lesser known but amazing Ningaloo Reef, which stretches for 250kms off the coast of Western Australia, the longest fringing reef in the world. It’s far less developed for tourism than the Great Barrier Reef and lies much closer to the shore. Snorkelling, diving and swimming with whale sharks can be arranged from Coral Bay and Exmouth. See our Coast section for details.