Great Barrier Reef

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Great Barrier Reef Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Map of Great Barrier Reef Demis.png
Map of Great Barrier Reef
click for larger view

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

Cruising the region

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN labelled it one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Queensland National Trust named it a state icon of Queensland.

A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human use, such as fishing and tourism.

Conservation and Preservation

The reef contains the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is administered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority or GBRMPA, affectionately known as "Grumpa" to the locals. There are many different conservation zones within the park which are as follows:

  • Pink or Preservation Zones, no entry is allowed without a special permit (normally only granted for research purposes).
  • Green or Marine National Park Zones, entry is allowed but no taking of fish or any other marine life is allowed. Anchoring is allowed but in high use areas use of a mooring may be necessary.
  • Orange or Scientific Research Zones, public access is not allowed.
  • Olive Green or Buffer Zones, trolling for pelagic fish is allowed but bottom fishing is not.
  • Yellow or Conservation Park Zones, anchoring and fishing is allowed under some restrictions.

All of these zones are detailed on the maps which can be downloaded from the GBRMPA web site.

Navigation Charts

See Queensland.

Weather and Winds

See Queensland.

Currents & Tides

Approaches and Navigation

The reef is at its most interrupted from a point approximately north east of Keppel Bay to as far north as the Torres Strait Islands.

In the vicinity of Keppel Bay there are two main channels. The southernmost one is Curtis Channel at approximately 24°17′S, 152°59′E, which is about 20 NM wide. From this point north the reef is somewhat closer to the shore.

The next channel is known as the Capricorn Channel located at 22°41′S, 152°14′E. This is around 40NM wide and is the main southern entrance to the main channel inside the reef (running north to the Torres Strait).

If you are entering inside the reef further north of these channels then you need to have a good set of charts and keep a constant watch because most of the channel entrances are quite narrow and there are shifting sandbanks and currents to be found in their vicinity.

Some of the more useful and well marked entrance points are, from south to north:

  • Hydrographers Passage at 19°54.7′S, 150°18.1′E. This is the main inbound channel to Mackay where there is a marina and a bulk sugar terminal.
  • Flinders Passage and Magnetic Passage in the vicinity of Townsville
  • Flora Pass, Grafton Passage and Trinity Opening in the vicinity of Cairns
  • Cruiser Pass and a few others in the vicinity of Cooktown

There are many others, however there are many places along the reef where the water surface may appear inviting but the depths are not.

Regional Radio Nets

See Queensland

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.


Health & Security

The main health issues are the local fauna -- jellyfish, cone shells and stonefish.

Local Dangers

ConeShell.jpg
The deadly Cone Shell
Avispa marina.jpg
Box Jellyfish
Irukandji jellyfish.jpg
Irukandji Jelly Fish
Synanceia verrucosa Hennig.jpg
Drawing of a stonefish
  • The pretty but potentially cone shells found on the beach and shallow waters
  • The extremely dangerous box and Irukandji jelly fish prevelent from May to October
  • Stonefish that can be stepped upon in shallow waters

Ports, Anchorages, and Islands

See Queensland. Because the Great Barrier Reef covers almost the entire Queensland coast (as far north as the Torres Strait Islands and as far south as the northern end of Hervey Bay), all of Queensland's ports north of about Bundaberg are within the reef area.

See also:

Routes/Passages To/From

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

References & Publications

See Queensland

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page [add 3 tildes (~~~) on the name line]

Names: Delatbabel


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