Enjoy Marine Wildlife in Cairns
Cairns is the main gateway to the
Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system on Earth.
Unlike the Canary Islands, boat tours here are focused on
coral reefs, turtles, reef sharks and tropical fish rather than dolphin watching.
From Cairns Marina many boats travel daily to nearby reef locations such as Green Island, Fitzroy Island and the outer reef where visitors can explore the incredible marine life of the Coral Sea.
Glass bottom boats allow visitors to observe the reef without getting wet while enjoying clear views of coral gardens and tropical marine species.
Life on the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef hosts more than
1,500 species of fish, hundreds of coral species and many large marine animals.
While exploring the reef you may encounter turtles, reef sharks, rays and colorful schools of fish swimming above the coral.
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Green sea turtles are one of the animals most frequently seen around the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns.
They often glide slowly above coral formations or rest on sandy seabeds between reef structures.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
The hawksbill turtle is another reef resident often spotted while snorkeling or on glass bottom boat tours.
Its distinctive curved beak allows it to feed on sponges hiding within coral reefs.
Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
Blacktip reef sharks are small tropical sharks commonly seen swimming along shallow reef edges.
Despite their intimidating name they are shy animals and pose no danger to visitors.
Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus)
Whitetip reef sharks are another common species around the Great Barrier Reef.
They often rest under coral ledges during the day and become active hunters at night.
Giant Clam (Tridacna gigas)
One of the most fascinating reef inhabitants is the giant clam.
These enormous shellfish can weigh more than 200 kilograms and display vibrant blue and green colors when open.
Reef Rays
Several species of rays live in the sandy lagoons around Cairns reefs.
While exploring shallow reef flats you may see them gliding gracefully across the seabed.
Booking your reef adventure from Cairns Marina is one of the best ways to experience the spectacular marine biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.
Glass bottom boats provide a comfortable and family-friendly way to discover this underwater world.
