Snorkelling in Port Douglas

Today was the day I had been waiting for - to go snorkelling on the Great Barrier reef. I was a bit worried that it might be a let down as expectations had been so high. But I needn't have worried it was everything I had dreamed of. All the films and photographs really are true. I went on the boat 'Calypso' which takes about 50 people. I was worried at first that this would be too many. But half on board were diving with the other have snorkelling and it seemed one or two not doing either.
We visited 3 different reefs and what surprised me was that there were no other boats anywhere near as I expected all the boats would gather in the same place.

First close up glimpse of the reef. This is part of the Agincourt ribbon reefs.


The sea was like a mill pond which was fantastic for me because I don't travel that well across water.
The temperature of the water was about 23C so there was no need for a wet suit although I did wear a tee shirt to try and prevent sun burn. What surprised me was the size of the fish, I had expected to see quite small but colourful ones. However they were really quite large and all the colours of the rainbow.

These photos were taken from the back of the boat.

I was tempted to buy an underwater camera but on the first reef I was with someone that had one and tney gave up in the end as it was detracting from the pleasure. So I decided not to bother and just buy a CDof the day that the ship's photographer took. It means that at the moment the only photos I have are taken from the boat before and after going in the water.

I like the way the reflections gave this fish a swirly appearance.

The snorklers exploring the reef. We had been told to be very careful and not to touch the coral as we may accidentally damage it. The coral was very close to the surface in places and I had to be particularly carefulwith the flippers.

Arriving back at Port Douglas. I will post some more pictures when I can download from the CD which will have to wait until I get home.