Great Barrier Reef
Diving the Great Barrier Reef is something every ocean lover should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Departing from Airlie Beach, SV Summer Jo takes you to the heart of the Whitsundays and the outer reef, where warm tropical waters teem with life. Stretching over 2,600 km along Queensland’s coast, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral system — home to turtles, rays, reef sharks, and over 1,500 fish species.
Explore coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, and hidden swim-throughs — each dive revealing something new. From turquoise shallows to the wild outer reef, every day brings a different kind of magic.
Aboard SV Summer Jo, you’re not just visiting the reef — you’re living on it. Wake to sunrise over the ocean, dive straight from the deck, and discover remote coral systems far from the crowds. Whether you’re new or experienced, our crew will guide you through the wonder beneath the surface.
Corals & marine life
Marine life
The Great Barrier Reef is more than just a natural wonder — it is Sea Country. For over 60,000 years, more than 70 Traditional Owner groups have cared for and connected with these waters, islands, and reefs. Today, we continue to honour that connection, respecting the reef as a living, cultural, and ecological treasure.
Now protected as both a Marine Park and World Heritage Listed environment, the Great Barrier Reef invites guests from around the world to experience its beauty — especially from below the surface. Aboard SV Summer Jo, we live right in the heart of it.
Coral gardens
Beneath the surface, the reef opens into vast underwater cities built from more than 600 species of coral.
From colourful soft corals swaying in gentle currents to towering coral bommies buzzing with marine life, every dive reveals something new.
Living on board allows you to slow down, explore at your own pace, and truly immerse yourself in this world of colour and movement — far from day-trip crowds.
Reef fish
With over 1,600 species of fish, the reef is full of character and surprise.
You might see:
Clownfish nestled in anemones
Parrotfish crunching coral
Giant Maori wrasse gliding in for a friendly look
Schools of fusiliers shimmering like silver rain
Each dive is like watching the reef breathe — constantly shifting, colourful, and alive.
Turtles
The Whitsundays are home to six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, and it’s common to see them cruising gracefully along coral ledges, popping up for a breath near the surface, or calmly grazing on seagrass meadows.
Most frequently sighted:
Green Sea Turtles
Hawksbill Turtles
Loggerhead Turtles
Swimming alongside a turtle is a moment of pure calm — ancient, gentle, and unforgettable.
Rays & Sharks
More than 133 species of sharks and rays call the reef home — from elegant manta rays that glide like birds underwater, to reef sharks patrolling coral walls and sandy shallows.
These animals are not aggressive — they simply move through their world with quiet grace. Encounters are peaceful, humbling, and often the moments guests talk about long after the trip.
Observe with respect, and the reef comes alive.
Whales & Dolphins
Between June and October, the reef becomes a sanctuary for humpback whales migrating north to calve in warm, sheltered waters.
It’s common to see them breaching in the distance, slapping their tails, or guiding newborn calves close to the surface.
Their presence is powerful, gentle, and deeply moving — a reminder of just how extraordinary our oceans truly are.
Dolphins, including bottlenose and spinner dolphins, are also regularly seen riding the bow waves or cruising nearby as we sail.
Experience it with us
When you’re living aboard SV Summer Jo, you’re not just visiting the reef — you’re part of it.
Wake with the sun.
Dive into crystal clear water.
Watch stars spill across the sky at night.
This is the Great Barrier Reef the way it’s meant to be experienced — slow, immersive, personal, and unforgettable. Come explore the reef with us. Adventure is waiting just beneath the surface.
