After a splendid day spent sailing around the Whitsundays yesterday, Dave and I were looking forward to going beyond the islands to the Great Barrier Reef proper. Our chosen vessel, Seaflight, would take us on a three hour journey across the shipping channel to Knuckle Reef, 95km offshore and part of the main GBR.

After another early start, we boarded at 8am, climbed to the top deck of the large motor vessel and began the day with a cuppa. About an hour into the voyage, the captain warned us that we were approaching the notoriously rough channel and everyone should stay seated. As suggested, the swells made the ride quite uncomfortable and I watched Dave turned darker shades of green, until he eventually ran to the toilet to throw up. Poor thing wasn’t alone, paper bags were being handed out and used all around the boat.

By mid-morning we had arrived safely at the reef and moored alongside the permanent pontoon. Everyone seemed eager to leave the boat and climb aboard the pontoon, the like of which I have never seen before. This thing had two decks, sun loungers, a diving and snorkelling area, underwater observatory and even a water slide! Before getting wet to view the marine life, we took a trip on the semi-submersible vessel, from which we saw the corals and plenty of Sergeant Major and Parrotfish.

A little disappointed by yesterday’s snorkelling, we were keen to see what the Great Barrier Reef had to offer. As we followed the designated snorkelling area buoys, we saw little at first. Happily, as we got to the outer edges we came close to a shallower reef, home to abundant sea creatures including the beautifully coloured Parrot fish, tropical looking Butterfly fish and some we have yet to identify. I was so impressed that I returned to the ship to buy a disposable underwater camera, after my digital camera died taking photos of turtles on Great Keppel Island. Fingers crossed we got some decent shots (although we have not yet developed the film, so can’t show you the underwater photos here). Dave and I hung around the reef watching the fish come and go, diving down to see them more closely and check out the Giant Clams. Just after I returned to base due to the inevitable cold, Dave saw three Maori Wrasse, very big fish often seen in this area. Typical I missed them!

In between our snorkelling trips we sunbathed on deck and indulged in the three lots of food served throughout the day. What better way to spend our fourth anniversary together?

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