Research

Marine biology and ecology, coastal management and climate change

Located at JCU’s Townsville and Cairns campuses, Boating and Diving is uniquely situated on doorstep of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. With over 3000 individual reef systems, the Great Barrier Reef is a hotspot for marine diversity, attracting researchers and students from across the world to study marine biology and ecology, coastal management, climate change, and veterinary science, among many other fields.

Orpheus Island Research Station

Boating and Diving oversees all boating, snorkelling and diving equipment at the Orpheus Island Research Station, which hosts field trips of up to 60 undergraduate students. Designated a ‘no take’ zone, the waters around Orpheus Island are home to to 1100 known species of fish and 340 of the 350 known species of reef coral. We ensure visitors have everything they need to safely use this important natural laboratory.