TOURISTS love to flock to the Great Barrier Reef in summer, but the winter offers some incredible opportunities to get close to its wildlife.
For just two months every year, The Great Barrier Reef is the only place in the world where you can swim with inquisitive dwarf minke whales.
The special diving trips from Cairns to Ribbon Reefs are a highlight of the scuba diving calendar.
The trips take place during the peak of the whale's annual migration in June and July.
The Ribbon Reefs dive location is so remote it is only accessible through a multi-night trip.
A small number of tour boats offer divers and snorkelers the rare chance to interacting with the whales, with encounters completely dictated by the animals.
Live-aboard expeditions are available for three to seven days through Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Divers Den and Pro Dive.
Pro Dive Cairns general manager Paul Lim said introducing a dedicated minke whale live-aboard trip had generated a lot of interest this year.
"Throughout July - which is prime minke season - we'll be heading up to the Ribbon Reefs once a week on three-night live-aboard trips for the chance to swim with the minkes," he said
This winter Frankland Islands Reef Cruises is also offering adventure snorkel safaris, giving guests the chance to observe clownfish, angelfish, green sea turtles and butterfly fish.
The company is also offering adventure snorkel safaris where guests are taken to the western side of the island to see coral gardens, giant clams, an abundance of colourful fish and the star attraction - the manta ray.
Thrill-seekers may want to take a shark night diving trip around the Norman Reef, Saxon Reef and Hastings Reef on a live-aboard vessel with Divers Den.
Experienced divers are invited to suit up and plunge in for the ultimate close encounter, while others can enjoy the action from the boat deck or float on the water's surface with a snorkel and mask.
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