In Cairns, it is hard to resist the lure of the Great Barrier Reef. Tan Bee Hong zips up a wetsuit and dives in to swim with fish
IT does seem a shame to be in Cairns and not visit the Great Barrier Reef, so we sign up with Reef Magic Cruises (www.reefmagiccruises.com) for a day of swimming, snorkelling, diving and generally frolicking in the water.
For those who don’t know, the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is located in Coral Sea and stretches for over 2,000km off the Queensland coastline.
It is not a single reef but instead, comprises over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands over some 344,400 sq km.
Visitors come to enjoy its abundant marine life as well as go snorkelling, scuba diving, helicopter tours, sailing, glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ship tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.
ALL ABOARD
At 9am, we hop on board a boat at the Cairns Waterfront for a 90-minute ride to the Marine World platform where we will be spending the next five hours. Those who sign up for the various activities can refer to the whiteboards for the times.
Lunch is served on the platform and the different types of equipment are available there too, in various sizes.
First, we go on a short, five-minute helicopter ride that takes off to give us a breathtaking, uninterrupted bird’s eye view of the reef.
Then we pick out a wet suit, fins, snorkelling masks. Those going diving will be fitted with weights, oxygen tank and all.
I am thrilled to learn that I can go for an introductory dive that doesn’t require a licence or experience. This is done in small groups with a maximum of four divers to an instructor.
All suited up, I am more than thrilled to enter the water; we link hands for safety.
It’s amazing to be breathing under water, swimming with the fish and when a two-metre long, hump-headed, blue fish weaves in and out between us, it makes for an enchanting moment.
This is Wally, apparently the platform’s resident Giant Maori Wrasse which, we are told, never fails to show up when it sees the professional dive photographer.
We emerge from the deep in time for a quick lunch before it’s time for more fun. This time, it’s helmet diving. Remember Sandy the squirrel in Spongebob Squarepants, with a big bubble over her head? This is quite similar and in the water, again Wally comes to check us out. He is one curious wrasse.
We then join the marine biologist on a Guided Snorkel Safari. A boat takes us further out where we jump in and she points out the various types of fish and coral.
Those not confident to go into the water can board the semi-submersible reef viewer, glass bottom boat or underwater observatory to view the fish.
All too soon, it’s time to go back. Five hours zip by when you’re in the water, having a whale of a time.
On the way back to terra firma, I spot the Simone the marine biologist carefully checking each piece of snorkelling mask and replacing any that is faulty. It’s reassuring to know the Reef Magic operators take safety very seriously indeed.
CRUISE WITH A DIFFERENCE
THERE are many companies offering cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, so I ask Jeff Cameron-Smith, director of Sales & Marketing at Reef Magic Cruises, why people would pick to travel with the company. He lists a few reasons:
1. MAXIMUM TIME
AT THE REEF
While most companies offer only three hours at the Reef, Reef Magic offers five full hours, not including time to get there and back. This way, he says, customers don’t have to choose between activities as there’s time to do them all.
2. SPACIOUS COMFORT
Reef Magic Cruises takes a daily maximum of 200 passengers though its catamaran has over 300 seats.
3. PRIVATE OUTER
REEF LOCATION
Only Reef Magic Cruises has a permit to access Marine World (45km offshore), so there is no congestion or other boats visiting the same area. Outer reef locations such as Marine World have cleaner waters for better clarity, higher coral densities and less sand/sediment.
4. SUSTAINABILITY
The Marine World activity platform is the only facility of its kind on the Great Barrier Reef to have been awarded Advanced Eco Accreditation.
5. ACTIVITIES FOR ALL
AGES AND ABILITIES
The Marine World activity platform has something for everyone, from the non-swimmer or first-time snorkeller to the most experienced certified diver.
Introductory divers are placed in groups of similar ability with a small group per instructor.