While Australia is known for the Great Barrier Reef - the only UNESCO World Heritage Site visible from outer space - there are countless other things to do in the area, including swimming with whales. This activity is illegal in most countries, so if you're on a tour of Australia, you should take full advantage of this rare opportunity.
At Cod Hole, located on the northern end of the reef, you can get under the waves and witness numerous varieties of human-sized fish, including the potato cod, which can reach upwards of 250 pounds in adulthood. Native to Australia, these beastly fish are surprisingly docile and curious whenever divers come into their aquatic homes.
For the main attraction, divers can jump into the deeper end of Cod Hole, where they may be lucky enough to have a close encounter with dwarf minke whales, which travel by the hundreds from the south from June to August. These beautiful and majestic mammals have a bird-like beak and smooth skin, and much like the humpback whale, are extremely kind creatures.
