This record contains data collected on the charter vessel RV Lady Basten between 23 and 28 August 2005 in the Great Barrier Reef. The data can be used for Ocean Colour sensor validation. Parameters measured are the concentration of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments and retrieved chlorophyll a estimate, the absorption coefficient for dissolved (aCDOM) particulate (a/p) and detrital or non-algal (a/d) components of the water column. 20 stations were sampled. The data was used primarily to validate ocean colour sensors MERIS, MODIS and SeaWIFs and the SST sensor AATSR. Samples were collected and analysed for pigments, total suspended solids (TSS) and dissolved and particulate absorption coefficients. CLW deployed instruments RAMSES, ac-9, Hydroscat and Hydrorad.