Great Barrier Reef diving tips: amazing images

Green Turtle Hatchling, Northern Great Barrier Reef

The far north of the Great Barrier Reef is home to largest green turtle rookeries on the planet. The Sand cays here have the perfect conditions for the female turtles to lay their eggs and, crucially, have remained undisturbed by people. 

At certain times of the year the waters here are crowded with turtles as well as one of the few natural predators that can pose a threat to the turtles, tiger sharks. It is important to explore this part of the reef conducted with experienced and reputable marine biologists, divers and guides.

Tour operator:

• Marine Encounters. The Rumney family are one of the few tour operators in this remote area, and many groups with Marine Encounters will have a guest scientist accompanying the trip to undertake research and field work on the sharks and turtles found here.  
• Turtle fans can also visit the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef and catch low tide on Heron Island, on the Southern Great Barrier Reef just off the coast of Gladstone City. The island is surrounded by 24 square kilometres of reef, with several nesting spots for green and loggerhead turtles.

Image credit: © Mark MacEwan

Potato Cod at Cod Hole, The Ribbons Reefs, Great Barrier Reef.

Potato Cod are one of the most impressive reef fish. Brits call them as Groupers, but don’t be alarmed when the locals pronounce it ‘groper’.

They could be encountered anywhere on the outer reef but one spot is famous for them, the appropriately named Cod-Hole. This site was hit pretty hard after cyclone Yasi but it’s still worth a visit for a encounter with one of these giant fish.

They are used to divers and tend to follow you around the reef like sheep…and they’re about the same size.

Image credit: © James Brickell

 BBC2 will be broadcasting three one-hour wildlife documentaries - The Great Barrier Reef - featuring trained marine biologist and former Royal Marine Monty Halls as he heads off to uncover the secrets of the 2300km reef - from its immense scale to the most intimate detail. The first episode will be aired at 8pm on New Year's Day.

To find out more about visiting the Great Barrier Reef, visit www.experiencequeensland.com 

Ribbons Reefs, Great Barrier Reef

The Ribbons Reefs form a chain of reefs that run along the northern outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef broken only by narrow passages.

Each of the dive sights has its own personality and offers something new; from the Sea snakes at Lighthouse Bommie to the awesome coral architecture at Challenger bay.

Tour operator:

Quicksilver Cruises have an Outer Great Barrier Reef tour to Agincourt Reef, a ribbon reef where visitors can snorkel along the coral formations.

Image credit: © Tara Artner

Anemone Fish, Great Barrier Reef 

Location: 'Steve's Bommie (on the Ribbons Reefs)

If Nemo the clown fish was real he’d probably live at Steve’s Bommie. It’s an underwater pinnacle covered in a blizzard of fish.

Starting your dive at the bottom and circling up you’ll pass just about every small fish in the guidebooks. As you finish on the shallows top look out for the anemone fish and stonefish.  It’s no surprise that many people say this is their favourite dive sight on the reef. 

Image credit: © Tara Artner