Great Barrier Reef

Choices, Choices, Choices from Noosa to Port Douglas you get hit with Dive snorkel the reef, go by speed boat, sale boat, over night, and the costs.

Talk to guys that have been on trips, also talk to the 100's of tour operators. We were advised by our tour operator that Port Douglas was probably the best place to go from. We chose Calypso a family run operation that has the interest of their customers at heart, for a snorkelling trip. We got upgraded to the dive boat for our trip.

We arrived at the boat at 8.40 ready for a 9am departure, once aboard we were given our flippers and masks, and told to keep them with us for the rest of the day. Tea and coffee were offered as we waited for all the others to arrive. Once we were all there(only 24) we were given a heath and safety briefing and told what reef we would be snorkelling at.

The trip out to the reef took about 90mins during this time we were offered tea/coffee biscuits, cake and fresh fruit. The divers were taken away and given their brief before we arrived and given their wet suits etc. we had our snorkel brief once we reached the reef. Told about hand signals and communication if needed any help while out on the reef, also we could use a woggle to help support us (lazy snorkelling) as it just allowed you to float without much effort.

What to watch out for:

• Yes there are sharks, and they will see you before you see them (but the guy who briefed us said they had not seen one yet in the two years he has been working there) so if we see one call him, so that he can get in and have a look>>>
• Don't stand on the reef as the coral is delicate and will break( and hurt)
• Jelly fish season is over (you might see one) but very doubtful
• If you do get cut by the reef(getting too close) tell a crew member so you can have it cleaned
• And finally...if you feel seasick..use the bags!!!!! (at back of boat)

I(jeannette) opted for the woggle as was feeling a little nervous.. the sea looks really big up close!!!

and it took me a while to get in and put my head in.....but wow!!!!!!

when i did the things I saw where amazing, awesome loads of fish!!! all different colours of the rainbow and the reef right up close in all its fantastic colours and shapes.

When we arrived at the third reef we were told that we might see white tipped reef sharks and not to worry, as they would see us first and proberbly keep out of they way!! Wedid how ever encounter the biggest fish that we have ever seen up close!! mauri grouber fish (hot lips fish) it was huge and being fed by the crew. It was a bit off putting to get in at first, but they did not take any notice of us.
Some of the girls in the Hostel went to the low ilses the crew were throwing prawns over the side and it attracted black tipped reef sharks, which they were very excited about!!!

We would love to do this again as it was an incredible lifetimes experience.