The 10 Best Ecotourism Experiences in The Great Barrier Reef

Cape Tribulation is known for being a gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Ocean Safari is Advanced Ecotourism Certified, and Global Sustainable Tourism Council-approved. The company does half-day snorkelling tours to Mackay and Undine Reefs, which are only a 25-minute boat ride off the coast. Visitors can snorkel alongside sea turtles, eagle rays, and an array of tropical fish.

Ocean Safari, Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation, QLD, Australia, +61 7 4098 0006

The Quicksilver Group operates out of Port Douglas and Cairns. Its companies include Green Island Resort, Quicksilver Cruises, Poseidon Cruises, Ocean Spirit Cruises, Pro Dive Cairns, and Wavedancer Low Isle Cruises. As the leading Great Barrier Reef tourism company, Quicksilver Group experiences include Outer Barrier Reef and island adventures, snorkelling day trips, and premier liveaboard dive boat trips. It has also been certified as a Climate Action Innovator, which means Quicksilver Group is proactively reducing its emissions and auditing its carbon footprint.

Whitsunday Rent a Yacht is fully committed to sustainable tourism and providing its customers with the best ecotourism experience in the Whitsundays. Their entire fleet of yachts, catamarans, and motor cruisers have ecotourism reference materials on board, which includes a Marine Park zoning map, safe snorkelling and fishing guide, walking track information, and factsheets on marine species and public moorings and anchoring.

Whitsunday Rent a Yacht, 6 Bay Terrace, Shute Harbour, QLD, Australia, +61 7 4946 9232

Green Island is located off the coast of Cairns. Green Island Resort is one of the world’s most eco-sensitive. It received its Advanced Ecotourism Certification “for preservation and commitment to the island’s rain forest and reef surrounds.” The island is surrounded by shallow reef, so you can step off the shoreline and snorkel immediately on the Great Barrier Reef. Alternatively, Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises is an eco-certified company that offers several Green Island day trip options from Cairns.

Green Island, QLD, Australia

Reef Magic Cruises is passionate about reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, and encouraging their customers to tackle climate change as well. From Cairns, they offer a day trip to Marine World, a platform located on the Great Barrier Reef. At Marine World, activity options include snorkelling, fish feeding with a marine biologist, glass bottom boat tours, scuba diving, helmet diving, and even scenic reef helicopter flights. Reef Magic Cruises also offers charters to Fitzroy and Green Islands, and the outer Great Barrier Reef.

Reef Magic Cruises, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia, +61 7 4031 1588

Based in Townsville, Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive does day trips and liveaboards to the Great Barrier Reef and SS Yongala Wreck dive site. The company works with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australian Conservation groups, and researchers to educate the community on the importance of protecting the reef. Their liveaboard dive trips are the only ones from Townsville, which take divers to world famous dive sites around the central Great Barrier Reef.

Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive, 66 Perkins Street W, Railway Estate, QLD, Australia, +61 7 4724 0600