CORAL SPAWNING ON MAGNETIC ISLAND

Witness one of the Great Barrier Reef's most extraordinary natural events!

For just a few nights each year, something remarkable can happen beneath the surface around Magnetic Island.

As the conditions align, coral colonies across the reef release millions of reproductive cells into the ocean in a synchronised event known as mass coral spawning.

It is one of the most spectacular, and important, events in the life of a coral reef.

And Magnetic Island has a special place in the story.

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Join Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive for a special Coral Spawning Night Dive at Magnetic Island, giving qualified divers the opportunity to be underwater during this fascinating annual event.

Once the sun disappears, Magnetic Island's reefs take on a completely different character. Nocturnal creatures emerge, familiar corals look dramatically different under torchlight and anticipation builds as we watch for the first signs of spawning.

Our experienced dive crew will select the dive site according to conditions, brief you on what to look for and guide you through the night-time reef.

SO, WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS WHEN CORAL SPAWNS?

Many reef-building corals are broadcast spawners.

When the conditions are right, coral colonies release millions of tiny egg and sperm bundles into the surrounding water. When many colonies and different coral species spawn at around the same time, the reef can become filled with colourful clouds of reproductive cells.

Pink, red, orange and cream bundles rise through the water column, creating an incredible underwater snowstorm.

At the surface, eggs and sperm meet and fertilisation occurs. The resulting embryos develop into microscopic coral larvae called planulae, which can drift with ocean currents before eventually settling onto suitable reef habitat.

If conditions are right, these tiny larvae begin developing into new coral colonies.