Experience the Great Barrier Reef on a citizen science holiday
List
By Celeste Mitchell
Did you know just visiting the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best ways to ensure its ongoing protection and to make a positive impact?
There are a wide range of citizen science holidays in Queensland but if you’re keen to stay longer and get more hands on when it comes to conservation of the Great Barrier Reef, try these specialised citizen science holidays, expeditions and programs on for size.
Not only will you be supporting the continuing efforts of eco-certified companies and qualified Master Reef Guides who work to protect the reef every day, but you’ll also provide a helping hand while enjoying an incredible travel experience at one of the world’s greatest wonders.
No Limit Adventures: Learn how to dive and save the reef
12 days
Scuba diving at Milln Reef, Great Barrier Reef
If you’ve always wanted to get your PADI scuba diving certification, this 12-day citizen science expedition with No Limit Adventures ups the ante with voluntourism experiences. Located at the Marine Conservation on the Great Barrier Reef, the program marries practical dive instruction with contributions to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s monitoring program, Eye on the Reef.
With your newfound skills and dive card, you’ll complete a number of underwater Rapid Monitoring and Coral Watch surveys, gathering valuable information on reef health, marine animals and incidents. A day trip to the turtle hospital on Fitzroy Island gives an insight into the care and rehabilitation of the reef’s residents while a morning spent sorting beach waste helps to bring the program full circle.
Expedition Cruises: Cruise towards conservation
11 days
Coral Expeditions, Great Barrier Reef. Photo by @coralexpeditions
After two successful citizen science-themed trips in partnership with Australian Geographic, Coral Expedition Cruises will be running expeditions in March 2024 and 2025 which run the length of the Great Barrier Reef. The 10-night Great Barrier Reef expeditions will focus on turtles and rays, giving a maximum of 70 travellers the opportunity to learn from leading research experts onboard as well as get hands-on with turtle rehabilitation, coral rejuvenation, and manta ray research.
Starting in Brisbane and ending in Cairns, this citizen science cruise is the opposite to oversized party ships – peppering the itinerary with fascinating reef research and snorkelling experiences that have the added bonus of knowing you’re making a positive impact on the future of the reef.
Marine Discoveries: Become a reef naturalist
2 days
Snorkeller completing reef research with Marine Discoveries, Cairns. Photo by @reefteach
While some Great Barrier Reef day tours offer citizen science options, if you’re keen to go a little deeper and are a certified diver or moderate to experienced snorkeller, Cairns’ based Marine Discoveries offer two-day Reef Naturalist trips.
Rather than simply providing a highlight reel of amazing snorkelling sites, this is one of the best ways to swim in the fin-flicks of experienced marine biologists who work on reef research and conservation every day. During four in-water sessions on the outer reef, you’ll get as involved as possible in research and data collection and if you have a particular area of interest, they can tailor the program to suit.
Lady Musgrave Experience: Train to be a Reef Keeper
3 days
Lady Musgrave Experience, Southern Great Barrier Reef
The contributions made by citizen science are so important to the Great Barrier Reef that at Lady Musgrave Experience on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, a second pontoon is soon to launch which will be completely dedicated to education and research. The floating classroom and lab will complement the existing Lady Musgrave Experience HQ – where you can glamp overnight on the top deck – and be a hub of reef health surveys, data collection, coral adoption and transplanting activities.
The best way to join in is by signing up to be a Marine Biologist for a Day, which includes a briefing session and private guided snorkel during which you’ll help to collect valuable data. If the experience spurs you on to greater action, you can train to become a Reef Keeper – a program led by Master Reef Guides involving on-land training and three reef day trips with a group of like-minded citizen scientists.
Fitzroy Island: Become a citizen scientist for a day
1 day
Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Fitzroy Island Resort. Photo by @fitzroyisland
Seeing the reef is one thing, but a citizen science program launched in March 2023 allows visitors to Fitzroy Island – 45 minutes from Cairns – to slip into the role of marine conservationist for the day.
Going behind the scenes at the island’s turtle rehabilitation centre, volunteers spend the day learning about and helping to care for sick and injured turtles before diving below the surface to undertake an Eye on the Reef survey for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Guided by a marine biologist, you’ll also learn how to identify coral-eating Drupella snails and help remove them from the reef. A Junior Marine Biologist program is also available for passionate five- to 10-year-olds who want to learn more about protecting the Great Barrier Reef.
Feeling inspired? Here are even more ways to help the Great Barrier Reef.
