If you come to Australia and haven't been to the Great Barrier Reef🪸, then you've really come in vain! This time, because it's a family trip, we chose the Great Barrier Reef Sunlover. Among the many routes, this route has high cost-effectiveness and Chinese service advantages (many Chinese staff on the ship are mostly Taiwanese compatriots, and they speak friendly and soft), suitable for tourists with the elderly and children who seek diverse experiences. If you need to challenge more professional shipwreck diving🤿, you can choose other routes.
In terms of scenery, the sea water is still clear and you can see the bottom. If you snorkel, I personally feel that the fish you see are not as many as in Cebu, but there are still many varieties of corals. After all, it is a feature here. If you fly by helicopter, it's not bad to experience different angles, but you can't see the heart-shaped island from here🏝️, you have to fly from a farther pier, so be mentally prepared!
🎫 Tickets:
Tickets usually include 🚢 a return trip (starting from about 256 Australian dollars), which can also be upgraded to a return trip or a return trip (including helicopter sightseeing, starting from 587 Australian dollars, suitable for those who are seasick and have money), and there are also return trips + 10 minutes of helicopter 🚁 experience (this route is relatively more cost-effective). Tickets are available on various platforms. It is recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance. We booked too late at that time, so we had to book the return trip tickets first. There will be some extra helicopter reservations on the ship, which are about 199 Australian dollars per person. (The staff will give you "spotting" according to the number of people and the reservations. I was lucky enough to be arranged to the co-pilot's seat this time, with a great view 👍)
🚢 Facilities and activities on board:
1️⃣ Free items: snorkeling equipment (including life jackets), glass-bottomed boat (20 minutes), semi-submersible (2 meters underwater cruise), sea slide (8 meters high), children's pool, fish feeding show, buffet lunch (seafood🐟, hot dishes🥩, fruits🍉, staple food🍝, etc., can be refilled if consumed in moderation, generally, it is enough for those who are not big eaters).
2️⃣ Paid items: 🚁 Helicopter sightseeing (10 minutes 199 Australian dollars), 🤿 Scuba diving (179 Australian dollars), 🐠 Undersea walking (165 Australian dollars), cold-proof diving suit rental (10 Australian dollars).
3️⃣ Other facilities: fresh water shower🚿 (but not bathing), Chinese service💁, drinking water🚰 (tap water, Australian tap water is originally drinkable). There are also lounge chairs and lazy sofas🛋️ on the second floor, but it is too sunny, and those who like tanning and sunbathing can experience it!
⚠️ Tips:
⚓️ You need to board the ship 1 hour in advance (8:45-9:45 to exchange tickets), and then queue up to wait for boarding. After the ship reaches the middle of the sea, the platform activities are about 4 hours, and the return trip usually arrives at the port around 17:30.
😷 It is recommended that seasick people take medicine, which can be purchased on the ship; environmentally friendly products are required for sun protection. It is recommended to buy local Australian brands directly, which are not expensive and easy to use. It is still necessary to protect against ultraviolet rays; avoid high-altitude flying within 12 hours after diving, so do not arrange a return flight✈️ on the same day.