Great Barrier Reef Education Experience

Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom have registered with the Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Programme! This is a great initiative to support High Standard Tourism Operators during these tough times and also a great opportunity for schools local and interstate. This $1 million GBR Experience Programme is being delivered by the QLD government and partners @GreatBarrierReefMarineParkAuthority and Tourism and Events Queensland. 

From the 12th July 2021 “this programme will provide up to $150 per student paid directly to schools where the school excursion itinerary includes at least one curriculum-related reef activity, facilitated by a commercial reef tourism operator, operating within the Great barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage boundaries.”

The Program will run over a three-year period or until funding has been fully exhausted. All travel needs to be completed by 5pm AEST 8 July 2024 or earlier if all available funding has been allocated.

Both Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom are registered offering group sizes of maximum 24 students and ages 14yrs + in keeping with the small boutiques-style operations offered.

The groups will be lead by our Master Reef Guides and trained Marine Interpreters and be based on the Eye on the Reef programme and fine tuned to  the student’s level of expertise and consist of an initial onboard briefing, followed by small guided groups doing the reef surveys and then followed up by a discussion of their results how the date is uploaded and used.

We very much look forward to welcoming any interested parties on board – they will be mesmerised by the Great Barrier Reef! 

Its is a great initiative to also engage local schools in learning about their own back yard and  also educate them on respecting the beautiful environment they live in and not take it for granted. Respect for the environment and nature starts at a  young age – we cant wait to be part of their new journeys!