Heart Reef, Whitsundays
The Heart Reef is one of the most beautiful, iconic and unique reefs in the entirety of the world. It is one of the most sought after destinations in the Whitsundays and is best viewed from the air on a scenic flight. Several tours make their way over the Heart Reef daily, allowing you to see it in all its beauty. You can see this iconic location in an aerial tour by airplane, seaplane, or helicopter, either on its own or by combining it with other epic boat tours that allow you to do it all during your time in the Whitsundays.
Heart Reef: The most unique coral formation in Australia
The Heart Reef is one of the most iconic coral reefs in the world due to its spectacular, naturally-formed heart shape. While today it is one of the most famous destinations in Australia, the Heart Reef was not actually discovered until 1975. A local pilot was flying overhead when they spotted the amazing coral formation that we know today as Heart Reef, and it soon became a favourite destination of aerial tours in the area.
Why is the Heart Reef so famous?
The Heart Reef is famous because of its picturesque heart shape and vibrant natural colours that are located in the midst of the Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Today, it is an iconic symbol of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef and can often be seen on postcards and advertisements promoting the area. It is common for many amateur photographers to be pleasantly surprised that their own photos may look just like the professional brochures!
All the aerial tours allow for an amazing view of the Heart Reef, with every passenger getting a window seat, where they can see the reef in all its glory and grab some amazing photos. Due to its romantic pull, the Heart Reef is a sought after place for marriage proposals and declarations of love. If planning on making the ultimate romantic gesture, let your pilot know your plans and they should be able to help you with some extra flight time over the famous Heart Reef for a little extra romance!
See the Heart Reef on one of these spectacular aerial tours!
Why is Heart Reef protected?
Because the Heart Reef is an incredibly unique spot that has only recently been found, and it's part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, it's highly protected. That means people cannot swim or snorkel at the Heart Reef in order to keep it pristine and untouched. So you can't find Great Barrier Reef snorkel or scuba diving tours that bring you to Heart Reef, but you get the best views from the aerial seaplane or helicopter tours anyway. You'll want to visit other parts of the Outer Reef if you're interested in snorkelling or scuba diving!
