By: Haylee Woodward
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You only live once, and creating a bucket list is a great way to make sure you don’t lose sight of all those wild, wacky, and wonderful things you just have to do in your lifetime. If a visit to the Great Barrier Reef isn’t already on that list, here are four reasons why it should be!
1: Incredible Beauty and Biodiversity
Fish and anemones in the Great Barrier Reef – Photo by Giorgia Doglioni on Unsplash
The Great Barrier Reef is home to one of the most amazingly diverse natural environments on earth. As the largest coral reef system in the world, it is massive in size and is made up of thousands of reefs and almost a thousand islands. It is also home to a dizzying variety of marine species, including humpback dolphins, green sea turtles, and humpback whales, some of which you just might get to see first-hand.
2: Outdoor Activities Galore
Snorkeling – Photo by Laya Clode on Unsplash
If you’re into water sports such as swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving—or just love being outdoors—the Great Barrier Reef is the perfect destination. Some of the most gorgeous waters and marine vistas await you. If you’ve never tried scuba before, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best locations in the world to get certified.
Other than water sports, there’s a whole host of outdoor activities for every age and level of sporting ability. Whether you’d like to sunbathe on pristine white sand beaches or enjoy a hair-raising speedboat ride, a location as beautiful as the Great Barrier Reef provides the ideal backdrop for your adventures.
Looking for another excellent snorkeling destination? Check out the Dry Tortugas off of Key West, Florida!
3: UNESCO World Heritage Site Status
Photo by Rx’ Diaconu on Unsplash
The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a title bestowed upon places of outstanding universal value. The reef, which can be seen from outer space, is undoubtedly one of the most stunning natural locations to be granted UNESCO status.
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4: Close to Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest
Photo by Manny Moreno on Unsplash
The region of Far North Queensland, where the Great Barrier Reef is situated, is also home to other urban and terrestrial destinations that you can easily combine with your trip to the reef. The Daintree Rainforest, which covers the Northeast Coast beyond which the Great Barrier Reef lies, is a world famous swathe of tropical rainforest crisscrossed by rivers and flanked by the awe-inspiring Mossman Gorge. Cairns is a city with a special laid back charm and is the starting point for most travelers to the Great Barrier Reef.
Featured image via Unsplash.