Great Barrier Reef With Kids: An Epic Family Day Trip
Are you planning a family adventure to the Great Barrier Reef?
Taking a family adventure to the Great Barrier Reef with your kids promises to be an unforgettable experience full of wonder and discovery.
You’ll find a whole new world beneath the waves and gain an appreciation for the marine life that calls the reef home.
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef was a childhood dream that we were determined to make come true. As part of our family gap year, we planned a five-week road trip along Australia’s East Coast. This gave us the opportunity to spend a full day snorkelling the Barrier Reef, with our kids, from Cairns.
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The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth, stretching over 2,300 kilometres along Australia’s Queensland coast. It showcases the best of the country’s natural beauty and biodiversity and is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Despite the well-publicised mass bleaching events and reports of over-tourism, the barrier reef remains a paradise for snorkellers, divers, and nature enthusiasts of all ages. Its crystal-clear waters are still full of vibrant marine life, and colourful coral formations are regenerating.
Why Visit The Barrier Reef With Kids?
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a unique chance to ignite a sense of wonder, curiosity, and appreciation for the natural world. It is a perfect family day trip from mainland Australia.
Family Friendly Activities
The Great Barrier Reef offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration, especially for families with kids. It offers world-class snorkelling in shallow lagoons, glass-bottom boat tours, guided reef walks, dive tours, and so much more!
If you are not looking for adventure but want to enjoy the journey, the larger boats have comfortable lounges where you can sit back and admire the view.
Educational Value of the Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef offers a hands-on learning experience where kids can discover its diverse marine life. They’ll learn about the delicate coral reef ecosystems and gain an understanding of the importance of conservation efforts.
Many tour operators offer educational programs specifically designed for families. Our kids had the opportunity to ask questions of a qualified Marine Biologist and were encouraged to discover some of the answers for themselves.
Unique Family Bonding
Exploring the reef together can create lifelong memories and is a great way to bond with each other. From snorkelling among the colourful fish to spotting majestic sea turtles and reef sharks, every moment is an adventure. We certainly have fond memories of our excursion together to the Barrier Reef.
Support The Ecosystem
Experiencing the beauty and fragility of the reef first-hand can inspire a sense of responsibility and stewardship in children. By witnessing the importance of protecting our marine environments, kids can become ambassadors for conservation both now and in the future.
➡️Book a full-day Great Barrier Reef family snorkelling cruise
Best Time To Visit The Great Barrier Reef
The best time to visit the Barrier Reef is generally during the dry season, from May to October.
This period is considered optimal for families to visit with clear skies, calm waters, and comfortable temperatures. These create the ideal conditions for snorkelling, diving, and exploring the reef’s wonders.
This time of year offers excellent visibility for underwater activities, allowing kids to fully appreciate the world beneath the surface. However, the dry season coincides with school holidays; you will typically experience higher crowd numbers.
If you prefer a quieter experience with fewer crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of April and November when the weather is still favourable and tourist numbers are lower.
We had a fantastic visit in October, with warm, clear water and reasonably low tourist numbers. While snorkelling, we saw many colourful fish, turtles, and even some reef sharks.
Barrier Reef Activities For Families
Families can enjoy many activities while exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Take your time when choosing your tour company, as activities vary for each boat tour. The larger boats tend to have a wider range of activities than the smaller ones, but check what is included before you book.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling is one of the best ways for families to get up close and personal with the vibrant marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. With calm, shallow waters in many areas, even young children can safely snorkel while observing colourful fish, coral formations, and other fascinating creatures.
Joining a guided snorkelling tour led by marine biologists ensures a safe and enriching experience for the whole family under the guidance of experts who can point out interesting marine species.
Diving
Families can go scuba diving or take introductory dives in calm water on the reef. This experience can greatly enhance children’s excitement and understanding of the marine environment.
Glass-Bottom Boat Tour
Ideal for those who prefer to stay dry or families with young children, glass-bottom boat tours offer a window into the underwater world of the reef. Glide over the coral gardens and observe the marine life below through the boat’s transparent bottom. This gives an immersive experience without getting wet!
Semi-Submersible Submarine Tours
For a unique perspective on the reef, families can embark on semi-submersible submarine tours. Descend into the underwater observatory of a semi-submersible vessel and enjoy panoramic views of the reef’s marine life through large viewing windows. These offer a comfortable and immersive experience for all ages.
Fun Platform
A popular family choice is an excursion to a floating pontoon in the outer Barrier Reef. This playground offers water slides, swimming pools, underwater observatories, snorkelling, and diving.
Scenic Flight
Scenic flights over the Great Barrier Reef are a great way for families to appreciate the vast size of the reef system. We took a scenic helicopter flight back to Cairns from our boat tour, and it was well worth the price. Our kids loved their first flight in a helicopter, and the undisturbed panoramic view of the Barrier Reef is breathtaking.
➡️ Take this popular scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
Tips For Planning A Family Trip To The Barrier Reef
Before you set off for the reef, do some simple planning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for your whole family.
1 | Choosing The Right Reef Tour
Not all tours offer the same experience, and price is not always an indicator of quality. Although the Australian government enforces strict rules on conservation efforts and tourism permits, choose a responsible company. We had a perfect family cruise with Evolution, who also arranged a helicopter flight back.
2 | Consider Season and Weather
The Great Barrier Reef enjoys a tropical climate, with warm temperatures all year round. However, weather conditions and seasonal variations can affect visibility and marine life encounters. Plan your visit during the dry season (May to October) for favourable conditions.
3 | Health and Safety Considerations For Kids
Safety should always be a top priority, especially when adventuring with children. Remember that even children who can swim need supervision in the water. Ensure that everyone knows the precautions they need to take in and around open water.
Use appropriate sun protection, including rash guards, hats, and reef-safe sunscreen. Be wary of marine stingers and take necessary precautions, such as wearing stinger suits, especially during jellyfish season.
4 | Choose Family-Friendly Activities
There are itineraries to suit kids of all ages. From glass-bottom boat tours to guided snorkelling sessions in shallow lagoons, plenty of options offer safe and exciting ways to explore the reef’s wonders.
5 | Make It Memorable
Capture your unique adventure by equipping yourself with a GoPro or other waterproof camera. These are the perfect way to capture the magic of your underwater adventures.
Preparing Kids For A Barrier Reef Adventure
Kids need enough knowledge and skills to have a fun, safe, and enriching experience. The wonders of the Great Barrier Reef are suitable for kids of all ages; just make sure they are prepared!
✨ Teach Kids To Respect The Environment
Teach your kids about the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’ and emphasise the importance of responsible tourism. Encourage them to minimise their environmental impact by not touching or damaging coral and disposing of waste properly. Ensure they know how to view wildlife safely. Families should also respect other snorkellers and stay safe in designated snorkelling areas.
✨ Awareness of Reef Dangers
Have a safety briefing before embarking on any water activities. Teach kids about potential hazards such as strong currents, marine stingers, and sharp corals. Explain safety protocols for snorkelling, swimming, and boat travel.
✨ Learn To Snorkel
If your kids are new to snorkelling, practice in a swimming pool or calm, shallow waters before heading to the Barrier Reef. Children need to be familiar with wearing a snorkel, mask, and fins and be taught how to breathe through the snorkel and clear their mask underwater.
✨ Discuss What Marine Life can kids expect to see
Foster a sense of excitement and anticipation for the adventure ahead. Encourage kids to ask questions, share their expectations, and express their enthusiasm for exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
Wally, the Maori wrasse, was a hit when he swam up for a selfie with our kids. We also liked seeing the colourful clownfish, parrotfish, reef sharks and numerous impressive clams.
✨ Packing Essentials for Children
Packing the right kit for children ensures their comfort, safety, and enjoyment on a family trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkelling equipment is normally provided on tours, but it might be worth investing in a kid-sized mask and snorkel to get a good fit and familiarise yourself with the kit.
Pack sun-protective swimsuits or rash guards for your kids to wear while snorkelling and some warm, comfy clothes for afterwards.
Is The Great Barrier Reef Worth Visiting With Kids?
The answer is a categorical yes! The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is well worth visiting with kids.
We were filled with excitement and trepidation as we boarded our catamaran to explore the largest reef system in the world. Witnessing their faces light up as they marvelled at the vibrant marine life and explored coral formations was truly priceless.
It’s an opportunity to spend quality family time amidst breathtaking natural beauty, and it helps instill a lifelong appreciation for the ocean’s wonders.
With a huge choice of water activities and educational experiences, the Great Barrier Reef offers endless opportunities for fun, discovery, and connection with nature. It is definitely a worthwhile adventure for families with kids!
Great Barrier Reef With Kids FAQ’s
The Great Barrier Reef is perfect for kids. It offers a variety of family-friendly activities, clear, warm water, and abundant marine life in shallow lagoons.
Due to its warm tropical climate, you can swim at the Great Barrier Reef year-round. However, weather conditions and water temperatures may vary depending on the season, so it’s best to plan your visit during the dry season (May to October) for optimal swimming conditions.
A scenic flight over the Barrier Reef can be a thrilling and unforgettable experience for kids. It offers a bird’ s-eye view of the reef’s breathtaking beauty and vast expanse, providing a unique perspective. A flight allows children to appreciate its grandeur in an educational and awe-inspiring way.
Wearing a stinger suit is recommended for protection against marine stingers, such as box jellyfish and Irukandji. This is especially true during the warmer months when they are more prevalent. While not always required, many tour operators provide stinger suits as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of visitors exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
Final Thoughts: Barrier Reef With Kids
Exploring the Great Barrier Reef with kids is more than a snorkelling trip, it is a journey of discovery, learning, and connecting with the ocean’s wonders.
By planning thoughtfully, adopting a sense of environmental responsibility and embracing the magic of this underwater paradise, you’ll create family memories that will last a lifetime.
