Visitors to the Great Barrier Reef can be broadly divided into:

• People who access the Marine Park as part of a commercial tour operation (tourists); and
• People who access the Marine Park independently, either with a privately owned vessel or directly off a beach (independent recreational users).

GBR Tourist Numbers

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has an extensive data set on the number of tourists visiting the Marine Park.  This has been collated from information operators are required to supply when submitting their Environmental Management Charge returns. 

View information on the numbers of tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Profiles of GBR Tourists

The CRC Reef has collected information on Great Barrier Reef tourists, their characteristics and perceptions.

View profiles of Great Barrier Reef tourists

GBR Recreational Use

There is limited information available on independent recreational use of the Marine Park.  Trends in recreational vessel registration in adjacent coastal communities is available.

View recreational vessel registration numbers