Experience David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef
Sixty years after his first visit to the Great Barrier Reef, Sir David Attenborough has returned in this ground-breaking documentary with the BBC. In the second episode he explored the shark-filled waters of Osprey Reef, the manta ray cleaning stations of Lady Elliot Island and discovered the secrets of the visiting minke whales.
The best news is that you can be like Sir David Attenborough and experience all of the same adventures, through Dive Worldwide!
Osprey Reef is located 75 miles beyond the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea. An enormous sea-mount providing incredible wall-diving, it is a magnet for a variety of shark species, including the hammerheads and tiger sharks that featured in thr programme, with incredible footage. Accessible only by liveaboard this coral-covered outcrop is a diver’s idea of heaven.
Between May and June the waters around Lady Elliot Island (the most southerly point of the Great Barrier Reef) are filled with one of the Coral Sea’s great wanderers, the manta ray. A research station has been set up on the island due to the numbers of manta rays seen in the area. Astonishingly, the series revealed that over 800 different individuals have been identified around Lady Elliot Island.
These magnificent creatures seem to come to the island for a couple of reasons. One is to make the most of the nutrient rich waters (it is possible to see manta feeding frenzies) and the other is to make the most of the ‘cleaning stations’ provided by blue streak cleaner wrasse. You can see this superb spectacle for yourself with a visit to Lady Elliot Island Resort.
Even larger than the manta rays are the dwarf minke whales that pass through the Great Barrier Reef each winter, the only place where it possible to snorkel and dive with these ocean giants. The whales are particularly inquisitive so there is every chance for some incredible close encounters.
The best way to explore the beautiful Ribbon Reefs along the northern barrier reef and the Coral Sea is by liveaboard. We offer two excellent liveaboards, both providing three, four or seven night itineraries, with shorter trips including an amazing low level flight out to the barrier reef:
Mike Ball’s Spoilsport
Experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea on board this luxurious liveaboard. Three, four and seven night itineraries are available to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Osprey Reef. The Mike Ball has a special offer right now too, offering great discounts from Coral Sea Safaris.
Spirit of Freedom
This is an elegant air-conditioned vessel, with 12 spacious cabins, huge dive deck and a comfortable bar. Electronic stabilisers make her very comfortable, as she sails to dive sites around Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea.
These combine superbly with a visit to Lady Elliot Island. Alternatively, for something really special, visit in June or July to get in the water with the minke whales, see the best of the barrier reef and dive with mantas from Lady Elliot Island on our Minke Whales and Mantas adventure. Then, you will really be like Sir David Attenborough himself.
To discuss your adventure to the Great Barrier Reef, send us a message or contact our friendly Dive team on 01962 302087.
