Diving in Great Barrier Reef

Hawksbill Turtle

Destination note

Regularly sighted on outer reefs and coral cays. Nests on southern GBR cays. IUCN Critically Endangered — a protected species throughout Australian waters.

Loggerhead Turtle

Destination note

Common year-round, with nesting season November-March on southern GBR cays (Mon Repos, Lady Elliot, Heron Island). Juveniles commonly seen on inshore reefs.

Green Sea Turtle

Destination note

Six of seven sea turtle species on GBR — green turtles most abundant year-round. Nesting season Nov-Feb on southern cays (Lady Elliot, Heron, Raine).

Spotted Eagle Ray

Destination note

Commonly seen cruising along reef edges and sandy channels throughout the GBR year-round.

Box Jellyfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

The box jellyfish is one of the most venomous marine animals, with a nearly transparent cubic bell up to 30 cm across and up to 60 tentacles that can extend up to 3 metres. Found in tropical Australian waters including the Great Barrier Reef during the warmer months from October to May.

Blue Jellyfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

Aurelia coerulea is a species of moon jellyfish found in Australian and Indo-Pacific waters, with a translucent bluish bell up to 40 cm in diameter. It has four prominent horseshoe-shaped gonads visible through the bell. Common in coastal waters including bays and estuaries along the Great Barrier Reef coastline.

Great Barracuda

Destination note

Common across all GBR sectors. Frequently seen hovering in mid-water at Cod Hole, Pixie Pinnacle, and outer reef bommies. Often solitary or in small groups.

Common Lionfish

Destination note

Common on inshore and mid-shelf reefs. Frequently seen sheltering under overhangs and in caves at Flynn Reef, Milln Reef, and the Cod Hole vicinity. An invasive species outside its native range but native to the GBR.

Humpback Batfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

The humpback batfish is a large, laterally compressed fish reaching up to 65 cm in length, with a distinctive steep forehead profile that gives it its common name. Juveniles resemble floating leaves and are often seen near mangroves and seagrass beds before migrating to reef habitats as adults.

Raston Box Jellyfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

Carybdea rastonii is a small box jellyfish with a transparent bell up to 5 cm in diameter and four tentacles up to 30 cm long. Endemic to Australian and southern Indo-Pacific waters, it is commonly encountered in tropical and subtropical coastal areas including the Great Barrier Reef region.

Mottled Spinefoot

General species description, not specific to this destination

The mottled spinefoot is a rabbitfish reaching 40 cm in length, with a mottled brown and silver body and distinctive venomous spines on its dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. Widespread across the Indo-Pacific including the Great Barrier Reef, it is commonly found in seagrass beds, mangrove areas, and coastal reefs.

Mirror Butterflyfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

The mirror butterflyfish is a striking yellow butterflyfish reaching 16 cm, with a large black oval patch on the upper rear body and a vertical black bar through the eye. Endemic to the Indo-Australian region including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Great Barrier Reef. Typically found in pairs on coral-rich reef flats and slopes.