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Waining Reef

Waining Reef holds a special place for us on the Great Barrier Reef. It isn't always the first name you hear, but it consistently delivers. Our favourite part has to be the sheer density of the coral itself, especially the Common Mushroom Corals, which form these rolling fields you just drift over. Look closely, and you’ll spot those tiny Redlined Pygmygobies flitting about, or a Fat-handed snapping shrimp peeking from its burrow. We love to get here early in the morning, right as the sun starts to hit the shallows, because that’s when the Fluorescence grass coral really seems to glow. For a classic GBR experience without the crowds that sometimes plague other sites, Waining is a solid choice. It's a fantastic spot for macro enthusiasts who enjoy slow drifts over intricate reefscapes, and it’s where we’ve often seen Clark’s anemonefish in their vibrant homes. We’ve also had thrilling, albeit rare, encounters with Great hammerheads cruising the deeper edges, so keep an eye out into the blue.