I recently returned from a two-week Australian cruise to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. It was an amazing adventure shared with my wife, sister, and brother-in-law that taught me several things. Chief among them: worth it!

Here are five lessons learned from my second trip down under:

1. It’s far out (literally). Not only is Australia well out of the way (nearly 20 hours flying for me), it requires noticeably more sea days (and fewer ports) to cruise when compared to other global itineraries. Be patient with it.
2. The “outer” reef is all that matters. Forget the more accessible “inner” reef. Most Great Barrier visitors come all this way… only to stop short of the real star of the show: the “outer” reef. Don’t make the same mistake even locals do (and I almost did). Heading further north and farther out to see is worth it (like underwater mountains, canyons, and trenches covered in corral and insanely vibrant marine life).
3. Shore excursions and porting can be tricky. Think long tender lines, limited bookings, and tours that fill incredibly fast. You can’t book last minute tours here on the dock like they do in the Caribbean and beyond.
4. Queensland resembles Hawaii. Who knew the South Pacific would look so similar!? Although the area puts off heavy Hawaiian vibes, the wildlife is dramatically different. Which brings me to…
5. This continent will eat you. Dangerous animals. No swimming its beautiful beaches. Scorching sun that burns in seconds. This dazzling but harsh environment might be even more deadly than an African safari.

Lastly, with current exchange rates, everything in Australia is around 40% off for Americans right now, making it a great time to visit the otherwise costly continent. If you have the means, make it happen, cap’n!