Bight Reef, Providenciales

Advantages: Such an unforgettable experience
Disadvantages: Cost (well not when parents pay!)

...The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975 and is the world's largest marine protected area in the world. It is approximately 2,300 kilometres long, running from just north of Bundaberg to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula. A lot of people think that the Great Barrier Reef is one massive reef in the middle of the ocean. It is actually made up of over 2,700 coral reefs! The Reef is also quite a young reef compared to many other is the world at around 500,000 years old. The GBF is home to such classes as corals, anemones and sea pens and has waters ranging in temperatures from 18 - 33 °C. The individual corals range from 3 - 56 mm in diameter or height; while colony size varies from 75 mm -1500 mm (1.5 m) in width, height or length. They're massive really! The animals that live among the reef are spectacular... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A wonderful holiday destination with great facilities and activities.
Disadvantages: Expensive, but worth it.

...There really is no other place in the world quite like the Great Barrier Reef. There are so many activities and opportunities for visitors that whatever time you have on Herron Island is not enough. There is a wide range of things to do, from whale-spotting to sitting at a bar watching the sun go down with a cocktail you've never even heard of!! The most obvious attraction of Herron Island and the Great Barrier Reef is diving and snorkling. Just off the beach there is an entirely different world just waiting to be viewed. You have to make sure it stops there though, as some coral can cause nasty cuts and many of the marine animals can pack a poisonous punch, such as the Stonefish or Stingray. The easiest way to avoid injury is just not to touch anything! Slightly further into the sea, where diving equipment is necessary, the reef... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Truly magnificent views of Whitsundays. Handy base for exploring other islands by ferry.
Disadvantages: Could be considered impersonal - high rise resort style holiday.

...Reef View hotel, Hamilton Island offers magnificent views of the Whitsundays. Travellers tip is to stay on the upper floors - These are the Coral sea rooms it's much quieter, and the views are better. It's worth paying a little more to do this. Lower floors - known as Garden View - (especially near the night club/bar) tend to be a bit noisy from my experience. I stayed here earlier this year (2008), found the rooms spacious, clean and comfortable. I paid $290 (Australian) per night toom rate (approx 118 pounds) - a rate which included full buffet breakfast daily. They also gave me a free day cruise out to the Barrier Reef which was a highlight. Also had full use of all resort facilities, non-motorised watersports, catamarans etc. Worthy of note - be careful of stingers (venemous jellyfish) at certain times of year when swimming... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful