Diving has become the number one adventure sport worldwide and with good reason. Australia has some of the most beautiful waters to offer the adventuresome spirit an experience of a lifetime and is one of the top destinations in the world.

Queensland, often referred to as the Sunshine State, has been called “Australia’s ultimate outdoor playground.” Travelers may choose to hike through the Daintree Rainforest, kick back and relax on an island, or go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef has been named one of the Seven Wonders of the World and its beauty is beyond imagination. The Reef rests in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland. It is the world’s largest structure and can easily be seen from space. However beautiful the sight is, however, there is much to be seen under the surface as well.

The Great Barrier Reef covers an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres, from the tip of Cape York to Gladstone. It is composed of 900 islands spanning 2,600 kilometres and houses more than 2,900 individual reefs to just waiting to be explored. This diver’s paradise is filled with 4,000 species of mollusks, 350 species of echinoderms, 350 different species of coral, and over 1,500 species of exotic fish. Thirty species of porpoises, dolphins and whales have also been sighted in the Coral Sea.

There are many dive companies located throughout Queensland that offer both group and individual activities. Independent dive companies may be the best bet but as with everything, be sure to do the research before you go to make sure the experience will be one that will last a lifetime.

For more information on diving in Australia, visit diversionoz.com