The Great Barrier Reef: A Fish Phobic’s guide

Ichthyophobia: an irrational or persistent fear of small and seemingly harmless fish

Yep, this is actually a thing. Turns out, there are some people who are just downright petrified of fish.

Now, we’re not talking about a fear of sharks; that’s a whole other kettle of fish [see what I did there? #punsfordays]. No, we’re talking about losing your shizz over the bright, colourful, harmless ‘Finding Nemo’ variety. Seriously. For some unfortunate souls, the thought of getting in the water with fish is the stuff of nightmares. And the biggest home of these friendly marine dwellers also happens to be one of the world’s most beautiful and sought-after destinations for travellers.

Stretching 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coastline, The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is still considered by many as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Composed of over 2,900 individual reefs, 900 islands and home to over 1,500 species of fish, it is one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.

But how do you explore one of the world’s most glorious natural wonders when you’re absolutely petrified of getting up close and personal with it’s vibrant [and harmless] inhabitants? As the old saying goes ‘There’s more than one way to scale a fish’ … or something along those lines.

Here are some other ways to discover the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef without donning a mask and snorkel:

Reef pontoon

Permanently anchored out in the outer reefs off Cairns, you’ll find the holy grail of marine adventure parks: The Reef Pontoon.

From Moore Reef to Agincourt Reef – and everywhere between and beyond – you’ll find these manmade mini islands of fun floating up and down the Cairns coastline, all offering an array of interactive activities to meet your reef-discovering needs.

Full day trips are the norm, with guests cruising out in style on comfortable catamarans to their waiting oasis. Activities [such as snorkelling, underwater observatory, glass-bottomed boat tours and fish feeding], educational presentations, refreshments and a buffet lunch are all included in the ticket price.

Glass bottom boat

One of the most popular ways to see the Great Barrier Reef is right at your feet. Literally. Popularised in the early 1900’s, glass bottomed boats have come a long way in the last 90 years or so and are still one of the most popular ways for non-swimmers to get up close and personal with marine life. Typically lasting between 20-30 minutes and including an educational marine biology presentation along the way, glass-bottomed boat tours are perfect for those who want to enjoy the view of the reef in comfort [and from behind the safety of a thick sheet of glass]. Check with your operator to see if they offer night tours, where special UV lights allow guests to observe coral polyps coming to life after dark!

Semi-submersible tour

See the underwater sights and marine delights from the comfort of an air-conditioned semi-submersible that gives you a view of the reef, whilst sitting only 1m below the surface. Viewing windows give you plenty of vantage points to check out the coral gardens and the friendly inhabitants of the reef – all without getting wet.

This option provides guests with a scuba diver’s perspective without the hassle of actually jumping in the water. It’s also got that adventurous, ‘Jacques Cousteau’ vibe about it.

Set sail

Who says you need to get in the water to enjoy it? Spend a day or two cruising along the reef on a chartered catamaran, yacht or sailboat and let everyone else do the hard work for you. All you have to do is look over the rails to see the aqua playground unfold beneath you and soak up the sun. No muss, no fuss.

Seaplane or helicopter

Feel more comfortable up with the birds than down with the fish? Then this may be your best option. Cruise high above the reef to get a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the world’s largest living organism. Whether by seaplane or helicopter, scenic air tours offer guests the opportunity to see the reef in its entirety and to gain a different perspective on this natural wonder. Choose a 30/45-minute joyflight or splurge out and opt for a half/full day package that includes a stopover on a secluded sandy cay or island for a picnic lunch and private time to explore your own slice of paradise. Many reef pontoon operators offer scenic flights [at an additional cost] from floating helipads adjoining their pontoons, but there are plenty of other service providers along the Cairns/North Queensland coast that can take you out on a flight that you’ll never forget.

*Please note that there are many operators all offering reef pontoon services/activities along the Great Barrier Reef. Some of our top picks are Sunlover Cruises, Reef Magic Cruises, Reef Sprinter and Quicksilver Cruises.