Reef renaissance
Head to Hayman Island for an extraordinary experience that coincides with the coral spawning phenomenon this November.
29 September 2024
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Visitors can take part in a unique experience on the Great Barrier Reef with InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.
Discover the beauty of the Reef and gain insight from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation into the ground breaking scientific and engineering breakthroughs that are helping to protect and restore this natural wonder.
Coral reefs are the beating heart of our oceans. They provide nurseries and food for a quarter of all marine life and sustain a billion people worldwide.
Venture out on the Reef aboard a luxury vessel and learn about the coral restoration programs from world-leading marine scientists.
Coral spawning is an annual event where corals simultaneously reproduce. During this synchronised breeding, coral polyps release millions of tiny egg and sperm bundles into the water.
Each bundle must find another bundle from the same species to fertilise. By spawning on mass, corals increase the likelihood of finding and fertilising a matching bundle.
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On the Great Barrier Reef, inshore reefs typically spawn in October, while outer reefs spawn during November or December.
Spawning follows a full moon and water temperatures must have risen enough to stimulate the maturation of the egg and sperm bundles. The timing of spawning is also impacted by the length of the day, the tide and salinity levels in the water.
Spawning only happens at night and lasts from a few days up to a week. Different species of coral spawn on different days to prevent cross-breeding.
Once the bundles have been released, they rise to the surface where fertilisation begins. Fertilised eggs develop into coral larvae which, when mature enough, settle on the ocean floor and repopulate the Reef.
Not all coral larvae survive to maturity. Much of the spawn and young larvae is eaten by other marine creatures such as fish and plankton, while others are washed out to sea.
Even those that make it to the ocean floor must find a spot that is clear of algae and sediment, but with enough sunlight to grow, otherwise they perish.
InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef invites you to discover the breathtaking beauty of The Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef with the Reef Renaissance Experience package.
Positioned within the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef is home to an immersive collection of 182 guest rooms, suites and villas.
Four distinct wings – Pool, Lagoon, Beach, and Pavilion – are artfully intertwined with spectacular swimming pools, panoramic seascapes, and tropical rainforest gardens, while four Hayman Residence’s sit atop the island’s prestigious hilltop.
The Reef Renaissance Experience is priced at $5,000 per room (double occupancy) or $4078 per room (single occupancy) and includes Two (2) Nights’ Accommodation: Stay in a luxurious One Bedroom Pool View Suite for two guests at InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, with all meals and Luxury Launch transfers included*.
Guests will enjoy: Welcome Cocktail Reception in Formal Gardens; Reef Experience: Venture out for a morning on the Reef. Aboard a luxury vessel, you and your partner will have the opportunity to learn more of the coral restoration programs underway from world-leading marine scientists. You’ll have the opportunity to snorkel, observe coral larval pools and enjoy a delicious lunch; Beachside Scientific Dinner: Dine under the stars and as we come together to hear more about the latest reef restoration initiatives.
The package also includes a $1,500 contribution to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is creating a future for the world’s coral reefs by protecting ocean habitats, restoring coral reefs and helping them adapt to the impacts of climate change.
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