Why you should celebrate World Oceans Day in Queensland

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Sailing Manta Ray Bay Whitsundays | World Oceans Day Queensland

By Sarah Bristow

Published 2 years ago

Your chance to toast the coast in Queensland arrives in June with World Oceans Day. This is an opportunity to celebrate the immense body of water which covers more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface, and is home to a dynamic and vast ecosystem of rainbow reefs and creatures great and small.

There’s no better place to embrace World Oceans Day than Queensland, with the beach-loving state cusped by coastline and hugged by some of the globe’s most recognisable reefs and surf breaks.

Below you’ll find our favourite ways to commemorate the eco-friendly occasion.

Fly

Helicopter Aerial view of Whitehaven Beach | World Oceans Day Queensland

One of the easiest ways to celebrate World Oceans Day in Queensland is to see the coastline in all its splendour from above.

Seaplane and helicopter experiences scatter the Queensland coast from top to bottom, though some of the most famed reside up north in the Whitsundays. The likes of Air Whitsunday Seaplanes will help you soar over the rainbow-hued vista of the iconic Great Barrier Reef and give you the chance to pay a visit to the iconic Heart Reef.

Skydive

Parachutist landing over Kirra Beach, Surfers Paradise | World Oceans Day Queensland

The adventurous can test their boundaries with a skydive over the great blue. Freefall for a minute over Cairns, the Whitsundays, K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast, all the while enjoying 360 degrees of awe-inspiring views of the ocean below.

Sail

The Whitsundays is famously welcoming of sailors - this is after all one of the only places in the world where you can bareboat without a licence (though you can always join a tour like Sailaway).

Make the most of the opportunity, and see another side to the sea, with a week spent sailing with your friends and family in tow. Cruise your way around the region’s protected waters, swimming in the lesser-known beaches and meandering the coastal bushwalking tracks that are dotted throughout.

Dive

Discover the wonders of the underwater world by diving its depths. Scuba diving adventures are available all across the state, though it would be a shame to miss out on the world-renowned dive sites from Port Douglas, Cairns and Townsville through to Lady Elliot Island.

Consider yourself a diving amateur? These tips may help first-timers.

Snorkel

If diving isn’t your forte, you can skim the ocean’s surface with a snorkel, seeing the beauty of the sea’s depths and a chance to spot great eight creatures from a safe distance. There are a bounty of amazing snorkelling sites found across Queensland which are welcoming of all ages and levels of experience. Join a snorkelling tour with a Master Reef Guide or DIY snorkel trail, straight off the island.

Kayak

Forgo a swim for the comfort of a picnic on the sand on one of Queensland’s many esteemed beaches. Grab a group and settle in for an afternoon of snacks and beachfront views. The hardest part will be picking a destination - the Sunshine State is famous for its sandy offerings, but none are quite so acclaimed as Whitehaven Beach.

Stick to the shoreline

Couple enjoying picnic on the beach | World Oceans Day Queensland

Teach

Guided nature walk Lady Elliot Island | education family holiday Queensland

While on land you can involve yourself in reef education and conservation in ode to World Oceans Day. Queensland is home to esteemed ocean-focused research and education spaces and many are welcoming of volunteers.

Enjoy one of the regular programs or internships at Cairns’ Reef Teach. Take a tour of the University of Queensland’s research centre on Heron Island, or indulge the kids with the junior reef rangers program at Lady Elliot Island.

Sleep seaside

Pumpkin Island Eco Retreat - Southern Great Barrier Reef | World Oceans Day Queensland

Celebrate World Oceans Day in Queensland with a sleepover that pays its respects to the reef. Eco-friendly resorts are no strangers to the state’s shores, particularly around Tropical North Queensland. Pumpkin Island, Lizard Island, and Elysian Retreat among many others are well-regarded for their sustainable focus, from recycling to plastic-free practices.

Bunji

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