Before you read the whole article let me tell you that coral reefs are called underwater gardens these beautiful frenetically coloured plants and animals they support are so unlike any garden on land that a stroll (or float) through a coral garden is more like wandering another planet. A trip to see a coral reef is a worthwhile excursion on any holiday.
Coral reefs, though, are in serious danger around the world, so always be sensitive to what the locals advise or don't advise—above all, never take coral or shells from a reef. Coral is best experienced with fingers. Some of it grows in spongy masses, some in long spindly webs, some look like hands, some like spiky leafless bushes and some can only really be called brain-esque in appearance, but it's the texture that really fascinates. While reaching out your fingers, you might feel a nip or get suctioned by one of the coral's tenants, or surprised by the sharp surface of something that looks so smooth or the fleshy-ness of something that looks so rocklike. It just feels alien. Most people would say that the coral is best experienced with eyes, but many would want to touch it.
Not only is it the largest reef on this planet, it's also a home to countless species of corals and fish life which can be found nowhere else. Not to mention the Great Barrier Reef is a centre of coral diversity - great for coral lovers. While I was pursuing my masters degree I dived extensively on various dive spots around Townsville (Wheeler's reef, Davis reef, Broad Hurst Reef, Bowden Reef, just to name a few) and witnessed the very wonders of the magnificent reef. Personally I preferred diving outside the main Barrier Reef since water visibility is much better compared to the inside.
A must see for everyone is coral spawning and this well documented on the Great Barrier Reef. Corals are animals and they reproduce once every year for a couple of nights during which all corals simultaneously let go of their eggs and sperms packaged in a bundle. Millions of bundles are released.
Palancar reef is very garden like. In the clear water against the pale sand, the coral colours are breathtaking as they peek from caves and canyons and from under overhangs before flowering into stretches of garden. It is like something out of 'The Little Mermaid'. Fish take a back seat to corals in many sections, but once you get used to it, you'll be looking out for larger life again—a selection of lobsters, crabs, rays and barracudas as well as lots of bright little guys.
A lot of reviews on diving at this place in dive journals and over the internet describe Magic Passage (drift dive) and Planet Rock (pinnacle dive) as spectacular. At Magic Rock, one can see large schools of sweetlips, barracudas, trevallies, white tip reef sharks, huge sea fans and colourful soft corals. Planet Rock is a schooling place for hammerhead sharks. The coral pinnacle rises from very deep to about 10 m below surface. The changing currents attract huge predators and divers alike. Dive enthusiasts must definitely dive here as it is located in the Coral Triangle. For those of you who are not aware of the Coral Triangle, it is the epicentre of marine species diversity and is one of the top priorities for marine conservation.
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