Swimming with And Spotting the Great Eight

The Great barrier Reef contains the world’s largest single organism, the Reef itself, and offers divers and wildlife enthusiasts an outstanding opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the planet’s most protected ocean creatures.

Every year, the Great Barrier reef attracts up to one million international tourists alone, making it one of the most visited natural sites on earth. Whether you want to explore further down the eastern coast of Australia and go whale watching in Eden, or you want to concentrate on the Great Barrier Reef area further north, there are excellent opportunities to swim the Great Eight while on holiday in Australia

The Great Eight – The Snorkeler’s Ultimate Bucket List

1. Clown Fish – These super cute reef fish made famous by the Disney movie Finding Nemo are commonly found throughout the Great Barrier Reef. Known more correctly as anemonefish, they share a symbiotic relationship with the anemones in which they live. This means that they have adapted to not be stung by the anemone as they brush against its venomous stingers.
2. Sea Turtles – there are seven species of sea turtle found in the world, and six of them are found in the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Green turtles are the most common and are a favorite with divers and snorkelers.
3. Potato Cod – These fish which usually grow to a weight of under 100kg are found throughout the reef but are especially common around a dive site called ‘Potato Hole’.
4. Giant Clams – This remarkable animal is the largest species of mollusks. They can live to over 100 years old and can weigh a colossal 200kg.
5. Maori Wrasse – This beautifully colorful fish is a favorite with snorkelers. It is the largest species of the Wrasse family. They are very intelligent fish and are super friendly. It is very common for them to interact with divers and snorkelers.
6. Sharks – The Great Barrier reef is home to a wide variety of the world’s most ruthless apex predators. As a protected area, sharks are allowed to reproduce safely from the persecution of other areas of the ocean.
7. Whales – From Humpback to Blue, the world’s most iconic species of whale can easily be spotted from boats around the Reef.
8. Manta Rays – The most majestic fish in the sea – these gliding beauties are often seen throughout the Reef.

There are many opportunities to swim with these magnificent creatures while on holiday in Australia.