Diving The Great Barrier Reef: An Unforgettable Adventure

If you surveyed 1000 travelers to understand their top bucket list adventures, you’d likely find “diving the Great Barrier Reef” on the list of more than 50% of those surveyed. It’s no secret that we have done irreversible damage to some of natures most iconic sites. More than 2 million visitors per year flock to Australia with the hopes of seeing this natural wonder up close. Consequently, the health of the reef has declined over the past three decades. Conservation groups like The Great Barrier Reef Foundation have been working diligently to protect the reef through the reduction of pollution and other restoration efforts. While this is a must-visit destination with stunning coral formations and vibrant marine life, we must all do our part to ensure it lives on.

A few years back, I had the opportunity to experience a dive of the Great Barrier Reef. Sadly my swimming skills would undoubtedly be categorized as beginner. Not exactly ideal for an experience of this magnitude. And while I hesitated, having some basic water skills gave me the confidence I needed to dive in. To be clear, I am a self-proclaimed adventurer and there was no way I was going to let a lack of swimming expertise keep me from seeing this treasured site first hand. I’ve taken swimming lessons as an adult (twice) but have not exactly mastered the skill of treading water. But like most adventurers, we throw caution to the wind when we are on vacation for the once in a lifetime experience presented to us.

You don’t need a dive certification to go on this adventure. In fact, you don’t even have to be an expert swimmer to do a basic dive. You simply need a great tour company with amazing guides to head to the Coral Sea for this dive adventure. But before you head out to swim with the fish, there are a few things you should know.

Now that we have those details out of the way, let me share more about my adventure under the sea.

How It Started

Savvy travelers plan for months (even years) for a trip to Australia and the opportunity to head out to the Great Barrier Reef. If you are doing this right, you will too. But if you are like me and find yourself on the Australian continent with the chance to head out over the Great Barrier Reef, first find a reputable outfit to guide your adventure. Opt for a guided tour that caters to beginners. Many tour operators offer introductory diving sessions with professional instructors trained to assist non-swimmers. My tour included a detailed safety briefing, instruction on using the equipment, and personalized supervision in the water. Exactly what I needed.

We had a 30-45 minute safety briefing onboard the boat that covered everything from breathing using an oxygen mask, communicating underwater with hand signals and navigating the coral reef safely. The team provided the necessary equipment and partnered us with a guide for the dive. Most importantly, there was always the option to abandon the idea of diving and go for the easier option of snorkeling over the reef. But I was all in. After the 40 minute ride out and some nervous chatter while we found the right sized equipment, it was time to dive. I suited up in my wetsuit and fins, strapped on the oxygen tank, walked to the back of the boat, looked over the horizon and stepped off in the Coral Sea.

In the Water

As graceful as that might sound, in reality it was anything but graceful. I immediately started to hyperventilate and rushed to the side of the boat to regroup. Turns out, diving the Great Barrier Reef is challenging. There are so many variables at play. But the dive instructor was awesome. Once I managed to get my breathing under control, we were on our way to explore this underwater wonderland. The coral was stunning and the fish were plentiful. We even spotted a reef shark and a couple of sea turtles. The dive for beginners is only about 30 minutes. A fair amount of time in the water to experience the magic of the sea.

While I wanted to capture the experience on film, it was more important to feel comfortable in the water with the equipment. I would advise the same for anyone who is still building their skills in the water. The reef is massive and staying focused is a matter of life or death. With that in mind, leave the underwater camera behind until you are a more seasoned diver.

How it Ended

It all ended so quickly and I was exhausted. The beginner experience was just long enough to give you a taste of what a true dive in the reef would bring. Nevertheless, it was an adventure that I will never forget. Our guides were fantastic with enough patience to effectively support two novice divers. It is an adventure that most will never experience. I am so grateful that I was fortunate enough to be among the lucky ones that do.