Great Barrier Reef

A day on the Great Barrier Reef

One of my days whilst at Airlie Beach, was to go on a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef. I had booked the tour well in advance, I wasn't coming all this way and missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. It was one of Cruise Whitsundays tours, that leave from the Port of Airlie every day at 8am. I had no idea what to expect, but packed my camera, swimwear, sunscreen, towel and hat. It was a beautiful clear morning - which was hard to believe, as a cyclone was supposed to be hitting that area later that day - I kept expecting the day to be cancelled.







I boarded the catamaran and decided to make the most of the fine weather - sitting outside on the top deck. The ship was very well equipped; you could sit inside, outside, or up to a table in air conditioned lounges; you could help yourself to tea, coffee and water and there was even biscuits and light snacks put out - and a bar where you could buy extra refreshments, alcohol and soft drinks. After 30 minutes we reached Hamilton Island where we took on more guests. As we approached the island the water around the marina looked wonderfully calm and picturesque.







Once we left Hamilton Island, the ship picked up speed and it was invigorating sitting up on top - several people lost their hats in the breeze!



We passed many of the Whitsunday Islands, a collection of varying sizes and shapes, inhabited and not - as we made our way out towards the Coral Sea.  There are 74 islands that make up this world famous area, that were once settled by the Ngaro, a sea-faring people, and the Gia and Juru Clan. Captain Cook sailed his ship the HMS Endeavour, through the passage between the islands and the coast on Whitsunday – and gave them the name Whitsunday Islands.  

We were all given a talk on what was going to happen once we reached the reef, what activities we could take part in, what signals we had to use whilst in the water, the equipment we had to use and what time lunch was! An hour or so out of Hamilton, as we approached the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, the water changed to a luminous turquoise colour - absolutely breath-taking! 

Once we arrived at the spacious floating Heart pontoon, at Hardy Reef, we had 4 hours to please ourselves - there was plenty to do. Whilst still in dry clothes, I decided to go on the semi-submersible submarine tour first - this felt nerve-wracking enough (but I needn't have worried).



I climbed aboard and went down the steps, where there were seats on both sides of the submersible in front of huge windows. The engines started and we began our trip around the edge of the reef. Unfortunately the movement of the water and sand disturbed the ocean floor and it made visibility difficult for some of the time.



It was fascinating seeing the underwater world along the edge of the reef wall, with magnificent corals and colourful marine life - but due to the light inside the submersible or colour of the glass - my photos didn't come out as well I expected. It was interesting listening to the Reef Interpreters tell us all about the corals and fish that live here on the Great Barrier Reef and how endangered they are.

Next it was time for what I had come here for, to go snorkelling on the reef. I have to admit to being terrified, I am not the bravest swimmer and when I have snorkelled in the past - I have had a rubber ring to hold onto - and I couldn't see any of those available to people who were not actually drowning! But there are some things you just have to do - and this was one of those things. So, I put my swimwear on and then went in search of a stinger suit that would fit me................

Then a mask and snorkel, life jacket .........................and a pair of flippers. It was exhausting getting ready!

Then I found that we could have a polystyrene woggle to hold on to - that could be my bouyancy aid! And I wasn't the only person who wanted one - I didn't feel so bad then. So I was all kitted up and had to walk down onto the metal platform, have everything inspected, tested the hand signals and in I went. There was a rope to hold onto, I would be fine..........................and I didn't intend being in the water very long................Look at all those fish!



There were crew members watching everyone in the water, checking with us all the time, incase we needed any help or to be taken out - it was very reassuring. I have never used flippers before, but as the current was really strong - we weren't allowed in the water without them. Remember the rope I was supposed to be holding, what rope! I forgot about that very quickly and was happy floating around on top of the water marvelling at everything below. I wish I could have captured it, but it will have to be always in my memory - the starfish, the coral, the multicoloured fish ...........

..................and the huge one! I turned around and there he was - a giant groper. I tried not to touch him but he seemed insistent on getting as close to me as possible. The ship's photographer was just there at the right time and got these amazing shots.

So much for not being in the water long - I was in there for over an hour without swallowing any sea-water, first time ever; I was so thrilled by the spectacular ocean that I had not panicked once - I could snorkel at last. And what a place to do it properly. I was absolutely ecstatic with all I had seen - especially my huge friend. What an unbelievable experience it had been. Back on the pontoon, it was time to get everything off and put then in their correct places - ready to be cleaned and for the next person to use.

If you're new to snorkelling, and are nervous like me, the crew were wonderful in encouraging everyone and keeping them safe.  I was so grateful that my experience had been so magical.

Now it was time for lunch, which was served on board the ship, there was an excellent choice of meats and seafood (local fresh prawns), salad, vegetables etc - just what was needed after all of that exercise.

I sat in the sun for an hour eating my lunch and watching everything else that was happening. You could book a helicopter flight to appreciate the reef from above, and to see the nearby famous Heart Reef. I was fascinated to watch the helicopters take off and land on what seemed to be the smallest floating pontoon.

...............And just marvel at the colour of the surrounding ocean. It was truly bliss!

One more thing to do before my time was up, and that was visiting the underwater viewing chamber.  

It did look a bit grubby going down there............

But, as in the submersible, the colours didn't seem as bright through the glass - it was far more vibrant when I was snorkelling.

It was time to say goodbye to the Great Barrier Reef and start the long journey back. 

The photographs that had been taken throughout the day were shown on the television screens and the crew also bought tablets around for you to look at; you could purchase a single photograph or a package. I just had to buy mine - not just for the memory - they were brilliant.

The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder of the world, it can be seen from outer space and it is under threat from pollution and global warming.

It is home to :-

1625 species of fish
133 species of sharks and rays
3000 species of molluscs
30 species of dolphins and whales
630 species of starfish and sea urchins
one of the worlds most important populations of dugongs
one third of the worlds coral species

What an amazing place! What an amazing day!

Whilst in this area, I had a few other fabulous days out, some with Cruise Whitsundays again - if you want a look, just follow these links :-

http://lynnemorley.blogspot.com/2019/05/airlie-beach.html

http://lynnemorley.blogspot.com/2019/05/hamilton-island.html

http://lynnemorley.blogspot.com/2019/06/whitsunday-island.html

Thank you for taking time to follow my adventures,

Lynne

These are my other blogs :-

http://lynnejmorley.blogspot.com

http://lynnemorleys.blogspot.com

http://morleysjourneytoozandback.blogspot.com