When my husband, Lee, and I decided to add a week in Australia onto our planned two weeks in New Zealand, we knew we'd have to decide on just a few places to go in that vast country. We each selected our first priority and mine, without a doubt, was to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. Our travel agent, Ruth, was skeptical about adding such a big leg north to our itinerary, but I said to Lee, "I've always wanted to experience it and if I don't go now, at the age of 64, when will be a better time?" It was first on our itinerary.
To get to Cairnes, Australia, we had to fly from LA into Brisbane and then to our destination. After almost 20 hours of traveling, it was a relief to finally reach our destination. Getting off the plane in Cairnes, our senses were hit with the fact that we were in a rain forest. There was lush greenery everywhere, the air was hot and humid, the parrots and other birds were loud and boisterous and my glasses fogged up immediately. I found, while we were in that area, that as soon as I walked out of our air conditioned room, I had to wipe off my glasses and our camera lens.
Our first afternoon in Cairnes, which is in northern Queensland on the South Pacific, we strolled along the promenade with the ocean park and beachs on one side and many sidewalk cafes and bars on the other. We ate the best fish and chips of our lives there washed down by a local beer and went to bed early so we would be rested for our barrier reef adventure the next day.
In the morning, a bus picked us up and took us and about 15 other adventurers to Port Douglas which is the closest port in Australia to the Great Barrier Reef, which we found out, during our ride, is actually a group of about 2,800 separate coral reefs with over 2,000 species of fish.
After riding the bus for about an hour, we boarded our Quicksilver boat. There are hundreds of charter groups to choose from in Port Douglas, but we were advised to select Quicksilver (www.quicksilvergroup.com.au) because they have fast, modern, comfortable boats that get people out to the Reef in about an hour and a huge permanent platform on the reef. I was amazed at the set up as we docked to the two story structure complete with a roof, tables and chairs for everyone, plenty of bathrooms and changing rooms, an area where they fit you with diving suits (to protect you from any jelly fish), masks, fins and snorkels or diving gear. They have a staff waiting to help you with anything including give scuba lessons and snorkel lessons.
If you don't want to snorkel or scuba, Quicksilver also has available, at the platform, a glass bottom boat you can take tours in, a lower passageway you can walk through to see fish through the windows while staying dry, and a snuba set up where you put on a helmut attached to oxygen and descend into the ocean teathered to the boat and breathing apparatus. It reminded me of 2,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
We snorkeled. The platform was set up so nicely that we just went down a set of stairs, sat on a bench, put on our equipment, went to the edge of the 'launch' area and glided into the water. As soon as we got into the water and looked down, we saw so many amazingly large and colorful fish that we couldn't believe it. Of course, it helps that the Quicksilver people regularly feed the fish around the platform creating a kind of fast food restaurant for tropical fish. It works! They even have clear markers containing the areas you should stay inside - kind of like the designated swimming areas on lakes.
When we were done snorkeling, we took off our blue Smurf diving suits, walked the bridge over to the boat, filled our plates from the fabulous buffet they had set up, and sat eating lunch gazing at the ocean. After lunch, we went snorkeling once more, took pictures of fish from the lower walkway and, all too quickly, the day was over and it was time to return to Port Douglas for the bus ride back.
It was an unforgettable day for Lee and me and I am so glad we went. My only regret was that we didn't take more time in the area. Next time, we plan on going to Port Douglas and taking a boat out to one of the islands in the area and staying for a week right there. Imagine, just walking out of your hotel, stepping into the ocean and being surrounded by the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.
What I'm glad I brought along in my WisePack to the Great Barrier Reef:
30 to 45 sunscreen (I love Ocean Potion- it smells like Creamsicles and is very effective)
Sunglasses
My prescription snorkeling mask (the best investment for under $100)
Dry underwear, shorts and a shirt for each of us so we could get out of those wet swimsuits
A plastic bag for the wet swimsuits
A water bottle
Ginger tablets just in case of seasickness
I wish I'd brought an underwater camera. Next time!!
