The Great Barrier Reef

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22/11/2009 - We woke up ridiculously early this morning, packed up our stuff and got ourselves ready to be picked up from our hostel just after 6AM. We were taken to the Pro-Dive shop where we would leave our luggage and collect our scuba gear to load it on the ute. It wasn’t long before we took the mini-van to the marina and boarded Scubrapro III. There were 32 of us in total, most of which were certified divers coming along to experience the Great Barrier Reef. Everyone sat down for an introduction chat as we left the marina and headed to our first dive site in the outer reef, it would take 3 hours to get there.

After controlling my sea sickness pretty well for 3 hours the boat came to a stop and everyone geared up ready for our first dive. We jumped into the beautiful clean blue water and slowly followed our instructor, Lindsay down the line to the bottom. It was incredible, I loved it so much, the feeling of breathing underwater, weightlessness and of course seeing the amazing fish and coral underneath. Once we hit the bottom we went through a few of our skills then followed our instructor exploring around the magnificent coral reef. After a half hour we slowly ascended and jumped back aboard the boat. We took our gear off and got dry and shortly after it was time for lunch, the cook had made loads of food and everyone was starving. Once lunch was finished we sat with Lindsay for a de-briefing and to talk about the next dive.

This was the general routine while we were on this boat: dive, eat, dive, eat, dive, eat. There was also some time for snorkeling this afternoon and it was brilliant, some of the best snorkeling I have ever done, I could have spent hours exploring. After dinner we watched as the certified divers geared up and jumped in for a night dive, I couldn’t wait till tomorrow night when we get our chance for a night dive. Once they were done we had a yummy dessert and shortly after went to bed, all this diving really did tire everyone out.

Dive 1
Location: Milln Reef, Petaj
Weather: Fine/Awesome
Visibility: 15-20m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 11.1m
Duration: 28mins

Dive 2
Location: Milln Reef, Petaj
Weather: Awesome
Visibility: 15-20m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 10.4m
Duration: 26mins

23/11/2009 - We were woken up this morning by the crew shouting a wake-up call to get ready for a dive. We all stumbled out of bed to the dive deck and threw on our scuba gear. We once again followed Lindsay into the water, I jumped in at 7:30AM. When we were at the bottom we again went through some skills then were guided around the coral reef by Lindsay. Most of the day we had the same routine: dive, eat, dive, eat. However after our second dive today we were now certified and were no longer guided by Lindsay. We were now also allowed to take our underwater cameras down into the water so most of our group had them ready.

Every dive we had done so far this trip was amazing, the visibility had been absolutely amazing, easily reaching 15-20 meters each dive. Hannah and I buddied up and headed off into the water to explore on our own. It was another beautiful and relaxed dive to say we were on our own. When we were back on the boat dinner was almost ready. So far on this trip I was absolutely loving it and very quickly falling in love with diving, Hannah, who had been quite reluctant in the beginning was also really enjoying it. Eventually the time came, our briefing for our night dive, Lindsay would be guiding us for this dive, I couldn’t wait.

We each were given a pink glow stick to attach to our tank so we knew which group was which. We geared up as the boats spotlight shone into the water. You could already see loads of fish swimming around the back of the boat waiting for dinner. We were handed a torch and jumped into the water which was still a beautiful 27C. We nervously headed down the line and could already see the green eyes of White-Tip Reef Sharks looking at us in the darkness. Our torches looked like light-sabers in the darkness of the water, it was incredible. As we swam around we spotted a large Hawksbill Turtle, a Lionfish, a Giant Moray Eel, large Crayfish, various sharks and loads and loads of fish, it was one of the most amazing things I have ever done.

Unfortunately it did have to end, we made our safety stop and slowly ascended to the surface after an incredible dive and an incredible experience, I was buzzing. We got out of our scuba gear and dried off, dessert was waiting for us inside. It was another yummy dessert, again not long after we were ready for bed after an amazing day.

Dive 3
Location: Flynn Reef, Ski Slopes
Weather: Fine
Visibility: 20m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 17.3m
Duration: 35mins

Dive 4
Location: Flynn Reef, Ski Slopes
Weather: Outstanding
Visibility: 15-20m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 15.5m
Duration: 26mins

Dive 5
Location: Flynn Reef, Gordons Mooring
Weather: Outstanding
Visibility: 15-20m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 12.0
Duration: 33mins

Dive 6 - Night Dive
Location: Flynn Reef, Gordons Mooring
Weather: Calm/Night
Visibility: Torch
Water Temp: 27C
Max. Depth: 11.5m
Duration: 29mins


24/11/2009 - It must have been around 5AM when the boat starting moving this morning for our next dive site, Hannah and I woke up and headed onto deck. We were told to get changed as our first dive was at 6:30AM! And sure enough I jumped in the water at 6:30AM. Again it was the same routine today, we had 3 dives in total all of which were magnificent before it was time to head back to Cairns. I really wished this dive trip would not end but, unfortunately it had to. We had done a total of 9 dives in 3 days and both Hannah and I loved every single minute.

It was another 3 hour trip back from the outer reef into Cairns, most of the time I spent sleeping on deck I was so tired. We thanked the crew and the cook and arranged to meet them in a bar on the Esplanade later tonight. We arrived in Cairns and were taken to the Pro-Dive shop to clear up the reef tax and drinks tab while on board. Hannah and I were dropped off at our hostel and relaxed before heading back out to meet everyone for dinner and drinks. It was a good night out, we were a little disappointed that our instructor Lindsay never showed up but was still a good night nonetheless. Late that night we returned to the hostel our heads hit the bed and we were instantly asleep.

Dive 7
Location: Thetford Reef, Cathedrals
Weather: Sunny/Calm
Visibility: 20-25m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 18.7
Duration: 29mins

Dive 8
Location: Thetford Reef, Cathedrals
Weather: Fine/Sunny
Visibility: 20-25m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 11.6m
Duration: 28mins

Dive 9
Location: Stepping Stones
Weather: Fine/Calm
Visibility: 5-10m
Water Temp: 26C
Max. Depth: 10.6
Duration: 30mins

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Photos

Great Barrier Reef
Beautiful turtle swimming with us on one of our dives.

Great Barrier Reef
The stunning blue water of the Great Barrier Reef from aboard the Scubapro III

Great Barrier Reef
Beautiful day out on the Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef
All our diving equipment ready to go for our next dive.

Great Barrier Reef
Absolutely stunning sunset in the outer reef.

Great Barrier Reef
Another sensational sunset out on the reef

Great Barrier Reef
Amazing colours of coral and a giant clam, it was huge!

Great Barrier Reef
Fantastic close shot of Nemo (Clownfish) in his Sea Anemone.

Great Barrier Reef
A real close up of a Sea Anemone with Nemo hiding from me.

Great Barrier Reef
Beautiful colours of coral in the clear blue Barrier Reef.