Best things to do on the Great Barrier Reef
The top 3 according to 1,372 votes from people: Snorkel or dive the outer reef from Cairns · Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays · Scenic flight over Heart Reef. (Updated May 14, 2026.)
From snorkelling outer reefs to Whitehaven Beach: the top Great Barrier Reef experiences according to Tourism Australia and TripAdvisor.
Top 10
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1
Snorkel or dive the outer reef from Cairns
Day boats to Agincourt, Norman or Flynn Reef.
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2
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays
Silica-white sand and the swirling Hill Inlet lookout.
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3
Scenic flight over Heart Reef
Helicopter or seaplane over the heart-shaped reef.
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4
Green Island
Coral cay 45 minutes from Cairns with glass-bottom boats.
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5
Swim with dwarf minke whales
Seasonal encounters (June–July) on licensed boats from Cairns and Port Douglas.
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6
Lady Elliot Island
Eco-resort island famous for manta rays.
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7
Low Isles from Port Douglas
Coral cay with a lighthouse and turtles.
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8
Sail the Whitsundays
Overnight sailing trips from Airlie Beach.
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9
Heron Island
Turtle nesting and world-class diving off the beach.
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10
Semi-submarine tour
See the coral without getting wet.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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11
Cairns Aquarium
Reef and rainforest aquarium, good for rainy days.
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12
Fitzroy Island
Rainforest island with Nudey Beach and a turtle rehabilitation centre.
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13
Hamilton Island
Whitsunday island with resorts and an airport, a common base for reef trips and Whitehaven Beach.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (8)
Whitehaven Beach sand is so fine it squeaks.
Go before it's too late, the bleaching is really sad.
Heart Reef scenic flight, expensive but worth every dollar.
Whitehaven Beach from the air, best photo of my life.
Lady Elliot Island for manta rays, magical.
Missing Hamilton Island!
Snorkelling the outer reef from Cairns, the colours are unbelievable.
Swimming with dwarf minke whales in June-July, only place in the world.