Barrier Reef Australia Blog

In our blog we will address this question why Heart Reef is so famous lets first talk about the location of Heart Reef, the place that is the pin up star of the Whitsundays, the place everyone talks about and wants to see when they book a holiday in the Whitsunday Islands.

Heart Reef is on the 13km long Hardy Reef that is approximately 90km from Hamilton Island and 78km from Airlie Beach by boat.

This reef was discovered in 1975 by one of Air Whitsundays pilots and is now recognised worldwide. It was then put in protection mode and made a no go zone by watercraft for the next 45 years.

Whilst you cannot book a snorkelling or scuba diving tour to Heart Reef from Airlie Beach you can certainly book a tour to fly over it on a helicopter ride or a scenic airplane flight and take some lovely pictures just like you see in the brochures for the Whitsundays.

If you are a guest on Hamilton Island you can book the one and only ultra-exclusive helicopter ride tour from Hamilton Island that has you landing at an air-conditioned lounge and floating pontoon on Hardy Reef that offers guests, the opportunity to see Heart Reef up close on a glass bottom boat ride. You then also have time to go snorkelling around these pristine reefs to discover the beauty of the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.

This unique experience caters for only 6 guests at a time, and this is the only tour that you will find in the Whitsundays that has you landing at Heart Reef. It’s a definite tick for your bucket list of dream things to do in your life. 

When is the best time to visit Heart Reef?

You can visit Heart Reef all year round, but this freak of nature is only visible on a low tide so when you book a scenic helicopter ride or a fixed wing airplane flight from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island over this section of the Great Barrier Reef make sure your visit is timed to accommodate the tidal changes.

Now Let’s Answer the Question Regarding the Fame of Heart Reef in the Whitsundays:

1.   Coral Reef Heart Shape Formation: The heart shape of this iconic reef was naturally formed by the build-up of coral over hundreds of years and its symmetry is both rare and visually captivating. This unusual shape has made it one of the top ten Australian landforms and a highly photographed and iconic location.

2.   World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef: Heart Reef is located on the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most famous and vitally important coral reef systems. Did you know the astronauts can see this reef from outer space? The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its immense biodiversity and scenic beauty. Scientists to this day are still discovering the secrets of this underwater paradise.

3.   Popular Tourist Destination: Heart Reef has become the pin-up symbol of the beauty of the Whitsundays and a must-see destination for tourists visiting Australia. Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach are two iconic scenic flights, as both are best viewed from the air for those holiday memory photos.

4.   Hearts Are a Romantic Symbolism: The reefs heart shape naturally associates it with love and romance, making it a popular spot for the idealic marriage proposal.

5.   Conservation and Environmental Significance: As part of the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef holds ecological importance. Its fame helps in drawing attention to the need for conservation of coral reefs and the importance of keeping our oceans clean for future generations.

The combination of its unique natural beauty, ecological significance, and romantic allure contributes to Heart Reef's fame and makes it a symbol of the natural wonders of the Whitsundays and Australia.

How was Heart Reef Formed?

Well, we really do not know the answer to this question, so we are going to leave that to your own research on the internet

Can you Snorkel Heart Reef or Scuba Dive Heart Reef?

Snorkelling or scuba diving directly at Heart Reef in the Whitsundays is a definite no, due to its protected status and the nature of its location.

World Heritage Listing: Heart Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is protected and managed to ensure the conservation of its delicate ecosystems. Certain areas within the park are subject to specific rules and regulations to minimize human impact.

1.  How Big is Heart Reef: Heart Reef is relatively small and the waters surrounding its lagoon are quite shallow. It is only 17 metres in diameter but with the changes in the corals over time this can vary.

2.  Access To Heart Reef: The reef is viewed from the air on an airplane scenic flight or on a helicopter ride from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. As mentioned in the paragraphs above there is just one ultra exclusive Heart Reef helicopter experience on offer for guests on Hamilton Island that has you up close and personal to this icon.

3.  Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef: While you might not be able to go scuba diving or snorkelling around the Heart Reef itself, the Whitsundays offers visitors other iconic locations such as Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet and other exceptional reefs and islands for snorkelling and scuba diving. These locations provide opportunities to experience the incredible biodiversity and beauty of the Great Barrier Reef in a more suitable environment for such activities.

Can You Visit Heart Reef by Boat?

Visiting Heart Reef by boat is somewhat limited due to its small size, shallow waters, and protected status as part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

While a direct boat visit to Heart Reef is not typically possible, a glass bottom boat tour around the reef is included in the exclusive Heart Reef pontoon and helicopter ride experience that departs from Hamilton Island.

Can You Swim at Heart Reef?

Swimming directly at Heart Reef in the Whitsundays is generally not allowed, primarily due to its protected status and the logistical challenges posed by its location and size.

Protection and Conservation: Heart Reef is a protected part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This area is regulated to preserve its delicate coral ecosystems. Activities that could potentially harm the reef, such as swimming close to the coral, pollution from non-eco-friendly sun screens and watercraft are restricted.

1.   Size and Fragility: Heart Reef is relatively small and shallow, and its structure is fragile. Swimming or snorkelling near it could inadvertently damage the fragile living corals, which are very sensitive to physical contact and our ever-changing environmental conditions.

2.   Accessibility To Heart Reef: This little coral reef is best known for its distinctive heart shape, which is visible from the air on a low tide. This has made scenic flights in the Whitsundays the most popular way to see Heart Reef. These scenic flights are normally combined with viewing other locations on the Great Barrier Reef or connecting with a boat tour that takes the guests off on a snorkelling tour to other parts of the reef. There are so many options when it comes to discovering the Whitsundays by air. 

3.   Alternative Locations for Swimming: While swimming around Heart Reef itself may not be possible, the Whitsundays offers many other options that are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and even some scuba diving. If you are a scuba diver, we recommend you book a liveaboard dive tour that takes its guests to the best dive sites in the Whitsundays over several days. These reefs take a bit longer to get to so a liveaboard dive trip is your best option or of course if you have the budget a luxury yacht chart or a superyacht will also do the trick.

4.   Regulations and Guidelines: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and tour operators in the area provide guidelines on where and how visitors can interact with the reef. These guidelines are designed to ensure the protection of the reef while allowing people to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Are you now ready to see Heart Reef for yourself in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands?

You should also tick off a trip to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet whilst you are in the Whitsundays. Read some of our blogs on the Places to See before you plan your trip and know what you are getting yourselves in for.