For many people, a visit to Palm Cove in Far North Queensland will involve a Great Barrier Reef experience.
And this is for good reason. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most incredible and unique natural attractions in the world, and when you’re in Palm Cove, you have your pick of a variety of different ways that you can discover its majesty.
If you’re planning a trip to Palm Cove and want to include a Great Barrier Reef experience, keep reading to learn more about this remarkable attraction, including what you can see there and some of the different ways you can experience it.
About the Great Barrier Reef
It is the world’s largest reef system, comprising more than 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands, and covering an area of more than 348,000 square kilometres. It starts from Bundaberg in Queensland’s south and runs all the way up to the Cape York Peninsula. The sheer size of the reef is sometimes hard to comprehend, spanning a distance of around 2,300 kilometres, which is more than double the length of the United Kingdom.
The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Site, having been listed in 1988 and is also considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. And on top of all of this, it’s even visible from space.
What can you see at the Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is known as having such a diverse array of marine creatures that call it home, which means that there is an almost endless list of the types of wildlife you may encounter.
More than 1500 different species of fish call the Reef home, as well as sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, whales, birds, rays, jellyfish, crustaceans, clams, and of course, coral. In fact, there are more than 400 different kinds of coral in the Reef, which makes for some pretty spectacular natural displays of beauty.
In addition to the animals of the Reef, the stunning natural beauty of the region is a sight to see. The turquoise waters and the intricate Reef systems are unlike anything else in the world.
And there is also a lot of the Reef that is yet to be discovered. Even as recent as 2020, a new coral reef structure was found near Cape York. Which means that you might see something that no one else ever has before when you visit the GBR.
What time of year is best to visit the Great Barrier Reef
The beauty of Far North Queensland is that it’s a great place to visit at any time of year. The seasons are traditionally divided into two main seasons, with the “Dry” season occurring from April through to October, and the “Wet” season running from November through to March.
Dry season coincides with Australia’s winter and Far North Queensland is often a popular holiday destination for people living in other parts of the country who are looking for some warmth. The temperature tends to sit between 19 to 24 degrees Celsius, making it pleasant and visitors to the Great Barrier Reef are often surprised by just how lovely the weather is at this time of year. During the Wet season, the temperatures can get a bit warmer, usually sitting between 25 to 31 degrees Celsius, with a higher level of humidity due to this time of year being when the majority of Queensland’s rainfall will occur.
There are certainly perks for either season – if you visit during the dry season you can avoid the need to wear a stinger suit if you’re spending time in the water and it’s also when whales tend to visit the region. If you visit during the wet season, you might have to wear a stinger suit, but it’s also turtle breeding and hatching season as well as coral spawning season, which is a magical natural event.
Coral spawning occurs usually in November or December, but predicting the exact dates of the event is challenging because there is still an air of mystery around the conditions that need to be just right for the spawning to occur. You can learn more about coral spawning at the Great Barrier Reef here.
How you can visit the Reef
The size of the Reef as well as the many different inhabitants means that no matter your interests, there’s bound to be a tour or activity that appeals to you.
Being in Palm Cove puts you in a great location to make the most of the Reef from, as many of the best tours depart from Port Douglas, which is 36 km north of Palm Cove, or from Cairns, which is 26 km south of Palm Cove. Many of these tours also offer transfers from Palm Cove to make it even easier.
You can always opt to spend some time out on the water doing a variety of water-based activities, like sea kayaking, swimming, and stand up paddle boarding, which you can enjoy from the shores of the Palm Cove beach.
Some of our favourite ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef include:
Outer Reef Trip
You can essentially enjoy a full day of sailing, snorkelling and sustainable exploration.
The journey takes you out to the Mackay and Undine Reef Cays, and from there you can step off the cays to explore the coral gardens that surround them.
This trip is definitely suited to people who are comfortable and confident in the water, as you have the opportunity to discover the Reef at your own pace.
A marine biologist will be onboard for your tour so you can learn about the Reef and ask questions as you wish, and they can even take you on a guided snorkel tour.
Lunch and afternoon tea is also provided, as well as snorkelling equipment.
You can learn more about this tour here.
An Island Adventure
The island itself is surrounded by coral gardens of the Reef – they are only metres from the shore. So, you can explore the island, spend some time on the beautiful beaches and walk into the water to start discovering this amazing marine world.
The island also offers many different water-based activities, including snorkelling and scuba diving, and the best part is that it doesn’t matter whether you’ve done these before or not. There are lessons and tour options for people of all experience levels.
The island’s resort also offers rental of snorkel and scuba equipment as well as stand up paddle boards and sea kayaks.
You can also discover the Reef by staying dry while you’re on the island, with glass-bottomed boat rides and even a turtle rehabilitation centre on the island. Make sure you book these experiences in advance because they are super popular.
Learn more about Fitzroy Island here.
From Above
You can witness the scale and natural beauty of the Reef during a helicopter ride with GBR helicopters. A truly unique and intimate way to see the Reef, the turquoise waters and the way the sunlight glimmers off the reef systems is an unforgettable sight.
You can also take in the beauty of the mainland, with views of the rainforest and spectacular coastline abundant from this angle too.
GBR Helicopter tours leave from Cairns, and offer plenty of upgrade options for your experience, which you can learn about here.
Visit the Great Barrier Reef when you stay at the Reef House
The Reef House in Palm Cove is the ideal holiday destination for those who want to discover the Great Barrier Reef. Palm Cove is located halfway between Port Douglas and Cairns, making it easy and convenient for you to get to either destination for your tour.
And then you can come back to this tranquil seaside village and stay in Palm Cove’s most iconic address, the Reef House.
Discover Far North Queensland today.
