"Live aboard diving on the Great Barrier... " a State of Queensland Travel Page by Quero

Nobody should go to Australia without experiencing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

Corals and marine life are prolific, making any dive or snorkel trip unforgettable.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world, extending 2,010 in length and spanning from 16 to 145 km in width. Because it is separated from the shore by a lagoon varying from 16 to 240 km, it is possible to visit the reef either on day trips from land (to the nearer reefs) or on live aboard tour boats (especially for the further reefs).

Our week-long dive trip visited several of the Ribbon Reefs as well as Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.

The boat we sailed on was the Undersea Explorer. It is special in that there is a distinct research focus to each trip. A marine biologist is a crew member, and ongoing research projects are conducted, with the participation of the passengers, if they are interested.

In addition, the boat often carries a scientist working on his or her own research. I have often seen documentary programs on networks such as National Geographic and Discovery featuring the work carried out from the Undersea Explorer.