5 Amazing Reefs on the Australian Coast
Australia is the largest island in the world, and a country of great contrasts.
The Great Barrier Reef
In spite of its great expansive deserts, there are vast areas of land that are well-watered and fertile. But there is not much that is tropical about the land or climate, even though two-fifths of the country lies within the Tropic of Capricorn, which runs virtually through the centre of Australia. Rather it has a more temperate climate.
But the tropical reefs both east and west of the country belie this fact. Underwater you will see the tropics at their best!
There are a huge number of reefs off the coast of this fascinating country, all of which offer unforgettable opportunities to dive and snorkel, and see marine life as you’ve never seen before.
Some, like the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea Shelf, comprise multiple coral reefs, others are much smaller, but no less precious. These five reefs found off the Australian coast are all absolutely amazing.
The Great Barrier Reef
One of Australia’s first World Heritage Sites (1981), the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland on the north-east coast, contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, boasting an incredible 400 different types of coral including 360 species of hard coral. Along with more than 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusc, and 175 species of bird, the Great Barrier Reef is also home to the large green and loggerhead turtles, and the whale-like dugong (or “sea cow”), all of which are currently threatened with extinction. It is also a well established breeding place for whales, including the humpback.
If you trace the extent of the Great Barrier Reef on a map, you will see that it runs from a position in the Coral Sea, north east of the Cape York Peninsula, to the tip of Fraser Island (another World Heritage Site). What you won’t see is that the reef system in fact comprises more than 2,900 individual reefs of various shapes and sizes, including some 760 fringing reefs. Within this spectacular environment, there are also about 600 continental islands, some with forests and towering streams, as well as about 300 coral cays.
The Great Barrier Reef is so vast that the best way to explore it is by boat. There are lots of day boats that operate out of both Cairns and Port Douglas (which are roughly in the middle of the reef), but there are so many reefs to dive, it’s worth considering spending several days at sea, exploring. Shop around for available charters and compare what they have to offer.
The Coral Sea Shelf
Located to the north east of the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea Continental Shelf is a remote oceanic wilderness where cays and atolls literally rise up from the sea floor. This isn’t one reef, but rather a whole bundle offering you some of the most amazing marine experiences you will ever have.
There are three reef systems that make up a small part of the shelf, that lie to the easy of Cairns, and these are said to be ecologically the most important Coral Sea Shelf reefs. Amongst other things, they provide a safe habitat for many nesting seabirds and green turtles.
Wherever you decide to go, you will find that visibility is excellent in the Coral Sea (the norm is that you will be able to see at least 90 m or 300 ft ahead of you). Divers commonly see manta rays, lots of shark species, huge schools of barracuda, dogtooth tuna, and of course a plethora of colorful, smaller tropical fish.
Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Coast in the remote west, is Australia’s most recent World Heritage Site (2011). Land and ocean are included in the site, and of course also the Ningaloo Reef – one of the world’s longest near-shore coral reefs.
Even though the Ningaloo Reef is minute in size when compared to the Great Barrier Reef, there are more than 300 coral species here as well as more than 700 tropical reef fish species, about 650 mollusc species, 600 crustacean species, about 155 sponge species and more than 1,000 species of marine algae.
Every year between 300 and 500 whale sharks gather along the reef, making this the largest known annual aggregation of whale sharks in the world. It is also home to an amazing diversity of marine turtle species during the mating season, with about 10,000 nests being made along the coast each year.
In spite of its remoteness, Ningaloo is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling. There aren’t any cities nearby; a former World War II military base, Exmouth, being the nearest town. If you’re flying in from abroad, you can drive north from Perth (1,277 or 789 miles) or south-west from Darwin (3,366 km or 2,092 miles). Or you can get a sailing charter in Perth or nearby Fremantle.
A particularly popular way to get to the reef is on a Ningaloo Reef sailing charter, whether just for a day, or for longer. A good charter company will supply you with all the equipment you need and will also supply meals. Some include not only snorkeling and diving in the package, but also kayaking, fishing and a spot of sailing too!
Remember too that there are regular charters available as well as private charters that you can literally “design” to meet your needs.
Rowley Shoals
Located to the north-west of Broome, Rowley Shoals on the north east coast of Australia, in the Indian Ocean, is 300 km or 186 miles from the nearest body of land.
Rising from the edge of one of the world’s widest continental shelves, Rowley Shoals is made up of three reefs:
- Imperieuse,
- Clerke,
- Mermaid.
Each one of these has a continuous outer rim and a large central lagoon with several channels. Of the three, only Mermaid Reef has no permanent sand cays. Instead, all you can see at low tide are a few exposed sand banks.
Rowley Shoals are protected reserves that boast one of the world’s best collections of coral atolls, with more than 230 species of coral and about 688 fish species. One of Australia’s best kept eco-secrets, it offers snorkelers and divers the opportunity to explore pristine coral gardens in a tropical, underwater paradise.
The shoals are amongst very few in the world that are affected by dramatic five-meter tides that pour huge volumes of water through the coral atolls, creating an ever-changing coral landscape. Visibility in the crystal clear water is usually between 20 and 60 m (about 65 to 196 ft), and you can expect to see a prolific variety of marine life, including turtles and sharks.
A variety of cruise ships and charters offer trips to Rowley Shoals for snorkelers, divers, underwater photographers and other interested people.
Scott Reef
Scott and Seringapatam Reefs – three in all – are north-east of Rowley Shoals in the Timor Sea. They lie on the same continental shelf as Rowley Shoals and form part of the same chain of reefs and banks, but they are quite different and worth a second trip this way.
Like the Rowley Shoals the Scott and Seringapatam Reefs rise nearly vertically from the ocean floor. None contains any permanent land, and when they are exposed at low tide, all you can see are a few rocks and some sand. Still, the three are separated from one another by a deep channel of water.
This is probably the most remote set of reefs you will find, and the only one which is also a favorite for fishing. Several companies offer fishing charters.
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About the Author: Guest post written by Kathryn Alexander for Travel Insurance Cover, an Australian travel insurance provider. Kathryn has traveled throughout Australia, and is an enthusiastic diver.
