Take a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef

“I wasn’t sure at first if it was worth it, but almost immediately I understood that a helicopter flight is essential if you want to see the Reef in its true glory. Reefworld is moored next to Hardy Reef, but nearby is any number of other smaller reefs and coral islands, which suddenly seem to appear from nowhere as soon as the helicopter launches itself into the air. I love helicopter rides, but nothing prepared me for the beauty that soon enveloped the cockpit windows.”

“Landing after the short 10-minute flight I was still floating on air as I made my way back to Reefworld. I looked around me and saw all of the people donning snorkel masks ready to get as close to the Reef as possible, but I felt like I knew a secret they didn’t. Even though I was high overhead, at that moment I felt as if I understood the Reef and its true beauty in a way the snorkelers didn’t; that I was privy to a secret that few others knew.”

“It’s an extra $100/person for the helicopter, and it’s only a ten-minute flight, but I am so glad I saw the reef from the air. We circled only the small part of the reef we were near, but it was beautiful seeing the colours. We could spot turtles when we were flying low at the beginning of the flight, and as went higher towards the end we were able to get a view over the whole area. Just magical.”