Tourists reef walking

Reef walking is an alternative way of exploring the inter-tidal area and reef flat. However, you are asked to take great care as reef walking can cause severe damage to reef flats and lagoons.

Legal Requirements

• You must abide by limits for collecting stated in the Zoning Plan.
• You require a Marine Parks permit to conduct reef walking as part of a tourist program.
  

Best Environmental Practices

• Be careful not to step on coral or living matter.
• Follow marked trails and avoid straying.
• If there is no marked trail, locate regularly used routes or follow sand channels.
• Use a pole or a stick for balance, take care not to poke animals.
• Learn about the reef environment and what to look for before reef walking.
• Observe animals rather than handle them. Handling some animals may be dangerous.
• If you pick up anything, living or dead, always return it to the exact position where you found it.
• Do not pick up animals or plants that are attached to the reef flats

Refer to ‘Collecting’ for further legal requirements and best environmental practices.