Sunday morning I made my own way down to the Reef fleet Terminal for check in at 9:15am. With a very friendly welcome by staff at the counter, I was given my boarding pass and directed as to which jetty I needed to go to for boarding. Upon boarding the team meet and greet you and the teams photographer takes your picture (which is available for sale returning to Cairns). I then get on the boat for some morning tea before departing. We left cairns at 10:00am for a 1.5 hour cruise out to the reef. It was a little choppy that day and there were a fair few people that were sick, I would suggest taking travel calm to those who get motion sickness (The Sunlover Team were so very helpful in helping those who were sick as well). On our way out to the reef the Team do safety briefings with those people going on Dives and Sea walker, for me I listened in on the snorkelling brief (this was my first time snorkelling).

So we arrive at the pontoon for a fun-filled 4.5hours, with beautiful sunshine and the water visibility was amazing! Everyone gets themselves set up and before long everyone is in the water. I went to see a team member for some assistance with getting myself organised with some snorkel gear, and gave me some handy tips for getting in the water…they were more than happy to help. They have all sizes in snorkelling equipment at hand all day-even the kiddies. I was so very happy to have done the snorkelling in such perfect conditions. I went in about 3 times, and got my photo taken with some of the fish (unfortunately I missed out on a photo with Wally the Mauri Wrasse, maybe next time).

Next I went and got some lunch from the buffet, which was served back on the boat. I had a choice of hot dishes, cold meat, prawns, chicken pieces, fresh fruit, mixed salads and bread (lunch was beautiful). After lunch I went for a ride on the semi-submersible & glass bottom boat tour, which I really enjoyed seeing everything that much closer and you don’t get wet.

The last event for the day was the fish feeding, which can be viewed from either the deck or in the underwater observatory.

On our return beck to Cairns I bought my photos from under the water, and they turned out great. $20.00 a photo which I think is good value for a photograph souvenir.

Ocean Freedom with Upolu Cay in the distance

It has been nearly 12 months since I first had the pleasure of doing a reef trip with Ocean Freedom and I can sincerely say it’s just a fantastic day out! We boarded the boat at 7:30 am and were greeted by one of the happiest crew on the Marlin Jetty. Straight away you know your in for one hell of a fun day, especially when the Captain of the boat is our local celebrity Gordo! The camaraderie between the entire crew was evident the whole day.

So hello’s out of the way the next stop was straight to a lovely plate of Danishes & coffee awaiting us. This is a nice change from the regular muffins, a bit more upmarket than the norm. Unlike some of the bigger boats where people don’t tend to intermingle very much, the atmosphere on Ocean Freedom is so relaxed & friendly it’s easy to strike up new conversation.

Next was a thorough safety briefing to all and then it was time to relax as we sped out to the Outer Edge of Upolu Reef to experience “Wonder Wall’. Here we were lucky to do 2 dives with Leigh who was to be our personal dive guide for the day. We were very impressed by the variety of corals at this site. Leigh went out of his way to point out the unusual, it was the first time I had seen a Mantis Shrimp up close. It was good to have an enthusiastic dive guide.

Introductory divers were spoilt having only 2 divers to the 1 instructor making their first dive experience relaxed and unhurried. All who tried that day came back thanking the crew immensely delighted with their under water experience. Whether you choose to snorkel or dive on Ocean Freedom you have plenty of time to enjoy the reef.

After lunch we headed off to Upolu Cay where guests can choose to do a glass bottom boat tour or snorkel for rest of the afternoon to their hearts content. Or if you don’t feel like doing either just grab a book and relax on board, the choice is yours.

One thing that stood out big time on the day was the crew’s interaction with the guests on board, a professional approach going out of their way to make sure everyone was happy & involved. You can choose a great reef site, but without good staff to compliment this you still don’t have a great trip. Ocean Freedom has both! Its obvious to all that the crew enjoy what they do and this carries through to all on board having a top day. Just great people to spend a day out on the reef with. Cruising home we enjoyed a glass of wine, fresh fruit, cheese & crackers.

I think it’s an exceptional reef trip for those a little apprehensive in the water. Anyone thinking of doing an intro dive can’t go wrong here with 1 instructor to every 2 divers. Everyone is well catered for.

Silverswift

We made our own way down to the reef terminal for check-in at 8am.

Silverswift is a very comfortable boat with lots of different seating arrangements and big sundecks. There are several toilets, hot showers and changing rooms. What I liked about the seating was that it did not look like a ferry like some of the other big vessels do.

The weather on the day was perfect and the ride out to the reef was fast and smooth. We got a really good dive brief from our Dive master Scott, all dives on Silverswift are guided which I prefer as then you don’t have to worry too much and just enjoy the dives.

We visited three different sites during the day, one on Pellowe Reef and two on Flynn reef. The sites were great, so much marine life and the coral was beautiful and plentiful. The highlight for me was to hand feed a turtle and to dive through some caves which I had never done before. There were lots of turtles, white tip sharks and also a very friendly Maori Wrasse.

We had plenty of snorkellers on that day and they got a separate brief at each site and also a guided snorkelling tour on the last site. Wetsuits and stinger suits are only complimentary for divers.

Upon boarding we were served tea and coffee as well as foccacia and muffins. Lunch was a hot and cold buffet including prawns; the divers especially appreciated the hot food. On the cruise back to Cairns there were more tea and coffee as well as fresh fruit on offer.

We had a lovely day out, the reef sites are great and the boat is comfortable and spacious. On the day there were around 70 passengers which to me felt as a perfect amount, I like my space.

Napoleon Maori Wrasse

With 5 full hours on Moore Reef there is plenty of time to enjoy all the offered activities; Semi-sub tours departs regularly throughout the day, optional guided snorkel tours and snorkel adventures, heli scenic flgihts, Scuba diving and even massage.

The Reef is in excellent condition. There are lots of valleys and drops offs and an abundance of marine life. Roxy the Maori Wrasse is on hand for photographs and a pat. Wally the Napoleon Maori Wrasse or the Humphead Wrasse, shows up for the fish feeding and I have to say this was amazing. I have never seen a fish behave the way Wally did. He got up on the snorkel platform which is quite shallow. The top of his head was sticking out of the water, so even the people watching from the pontoon could see. He weaved in and out of snorkellers and wasn’t fazed by the number of people in the slightest.

The Marine World pontoon is well equipped and has a sundeck with shade which is excellent place to lounge after lunch before jumping back in the water.

Lunch is served on the pontoon and consists of various salad & cold cuts, sushi rolls, prawns and fruit. The only thing you need to go back on the vessel for is drinks from the bar and to go to bathroom.

In the afternoon I participated in the snorkel adventure safari where a small tender takes people to the edge of Moore Reef. This is activity is only recommended for confident swimmers; the swell can get quite big – but again, amazing coral and big fish out there. The marine naturalist was very knowledgeable and had no problems being heard by the entire group. There are guided snorkelling tours available which are not as long in duration and are suited for all levels of confidence including first time snorkellers.

Reef Experience Day cruise

Reef Encounter Liveaboard

The Reef Experience boat is spacious and comfortable, takes 150 guests when full, there were around 80 guests travelling on this day. On the upper deck there is plenty of space to sunbake and relax. Upon check in a freshly cooked breakfast (big gas BBQ upstairs) is served with bacon and egg rolls, coffee and tea.

The first stop for the day was at Norman Reef where we met the liveaboard vessel, Reef Encounter. Overnigt guest guests were exchanged and the boat stayed there for a couple of hours. After a dive another couple of agents and myself were invited on a very informative glass bottom boat tour and then were dropped off at the Reef Encounter vessel for a site inspection and lunch.

This “hotel on the water” is excellent. The cabins are very comfortable, all with their own ensuites and plenty of space for luggage. The dining room is nicely set with table cloths and serviettes and the onboard hosties served a delicious lasagne and salad. There is also a bar and a TV room where DVDs are played in the evening. The TV room also functions as a study room for the dive classes. You can become a certified diver in 3 days on Reef Encounter. In front of the ship there is a spa where the water is exchanged daily and I can see that it is very popular in the evenings for relaxing and stargazing…Reef Encounter has its own water desalination plant on board, they do their own linen and there is no need for the boat to come ashore.

We were dropped off back on the Reef Experience vessel and went to our second destination – Breaking Patches – for another snorkel and swim.

The staff on board is very helpful and friendly, there is no pressure, as there is a lot of time to do all offered activities. Most people opted for an intro dive, but there were quite a few people that chose the guided snorkel tour.

I also had a look on the Top Deck which costs $ 265.00 per person. Top Deck is a lounge room upstairs, separate from the ‘common travellers’. Guests who book top deck get a personal assistant during the day that snorkels and dives with them and also are served a la carte breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Although it is $ 100.00 dearer it is still good value, especially for introductory or certified divers.

Snorkelling on Haba

When I arrived at Port Douglas Marina, I was greeted at the check in desk, I was informed that we were to board at 8:00am for an 8:30am departure. Now the Haba boat is very hard to miss. It is a bright yellow and blue magnificent looking vessel with some very bright orange clown fish and the Australian Flag adorning the side of the aluminum wave piercing vessel. A bright yellow umbrella out the front of the gangway also gives away its location towards the back of the Marina.

As Haba have many unique reef moorings to choose from, our skipper, Craig decided to take us out to a location called Turtle Bay, among the Opal Reef system. This apparently is a site which gets less attention and is ideal in calm weather and lower passenger numbers. Once at the first stop, we were informed that we would be here for 2 hours, that allowed for ample time to snorkel, dive and eat lunch. Due to the calmness of the conditions, snorkeling was a breeze. Everyone of all ages had no problems at all and many turtles and fish were seen by all. I was lucky enough to see a reasonably large White Tipped Reef Shark on my snorkeling safari.

Finally it was time to suit up and go diving. The actual dive site was called Jacks Rocks. The site had a vast array of corals stretching for hundreds of metres and beyond. Huge amounts of different fish species and stingrays and the like were seen.

Back on board it was time to dry off and get ready for lunch. Those who decided to do the glass bottom
boat tour were whisked off for that while the rest of us continued to snorkel or dry out on the decks. Lunch was a delicious selection of cold meats and salads with cheese, bread and plenty of condiments. The food seemed very fresh and quite tasty.

Before, traveling to our second site, also within the Opal Reef system, Christian gave an in depth Reef
Brief talk with a strong focus on preservation of the environment and the reef. Once arriving at the second site after about 10 to 15 mins travel, we were in the water in no time.

Overall, this day was absolutely fantastic. I appreciated the extra time we seemed to have to fit all the snorkeling and diving in, yet still get home before 5pm. All the staff were brilliant, they all seemed to have a real passion for what they do and it showed in their actions. I can highly recommend
this voyage as a trip to make their reef experience one to remember. The Haba day trip is suitable for all ages and seem to attract families, with the high quality equipment and safe environment I can see why.

Ocean Spirit at Michaelmas Cay

We made our own way to the marina for an 8.00 am check in on the boat. There is a little reception desk set up on the back deck and check in runs very smoothly and efficiently. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served inside the saloon.

Departure is 8.30am sharp, the sails come up just outside the marina and then it’s a leisurely 1.5 hour cruise to Michaelmas Cay. All briefings are done on the way out but there is still enough time to relax and enjoy the ride. A platter of nibbles in served just before arrival.

We were the only two certified divers on the boat that day. Our first dive was between the boat and the cay where as the afternoon dive took us out in the tender with all the Intro Divers to a nice bommie formation called ‘Three Sisters’.

Lunch is a hot/cold sumptuous buffet with fish, chicken, prawns and meat, cheese and fruit platters. Sitting out on the bow under the sun sail looking over the cay and the turquoise waters while having lunch was fantastic.

Other activities on the day included a very informative marine biology presentation inside the saloon, a tour in the semi sub (which we missed due to the diving) and every half hour there is transport over to Michaelmas in the ‘beach buggy’.

Come 3.30 pm it was time to leave the tranquillity behind and we headed back to Cairns at a very leisurely pace. There is tea, coffee and cake served before departure and a complimentary glass of bubbly as well on the way home.

The boat is very spacious with plenty of room on the bow. The chef prepared food was delicious and aplenty.

This day cruise is perfect for swimming, relaxing on the cay and snorkellers of all experience level. As the sea bottom is slowly sloping off from the cay, it is especially ideal for the first time divers.

Michaelmas Cay

Snorkellers on Seastar

By 7.50am everybody was on board and the boat started heading to Michaelmas Cay, our first destination. It took only 80 mins to reach the cay and therefore we were the first people on the cay. Guests took part in the guided snorkel tour or snorkelled by themselves. Certified divers started from the Seastar vessel for an approximate 40 minute dive. Divers were picked up by a tender after the dive and returned to the vessel. The dive site at Michaelmas Cay, the Three Sisters, was very beautiful. We saw a lot of colorful fish around the reef.

After a relaxing 2.5 hours at Michaelmas Cay a delicious lunch was served before moving on to our next site Hastings Reef. At Hasitings, one of the crew did a brief reef teach…It was very informative and learned much about fish and reef. After that there was free time for snorkelling tours or glass bottom boat tours. I then had my second dive. I have not been on Hastings for a few years now and I was totally surprised by the beauty of that reef. I was the only cert. diver left and dive-guide Mark almost circumnavigated a big portion of the reef with me. There were lots of playful fish, amazingly colourful coral, lots of huge clams and parts of the Reef seemed to be untouched and not visited before. This was one of the best dives I have done in a long time.

We stayed more than 5 hours in total on the reef and arrived back in Cairns around 4.30pm. There is lots of time to do all offered activities. The vessel only takes a maximum of 30 guests and the price inclusive of stinger suit, guided snorkel and glass bottom boat tour.

Introductory Scub Dive

Osprey V is one of the fastest day trips to the Outer edge of The Great Barrier Reef, cruising at 30 knots. You will spend more time in the water and less time travelling with five hours of snorkelling or diving at two outer Great Barrier Reef locations. The Reef Locations that we visited on Osprey V were remarkable, I saw well over 20 clown fish during my dive, the most I have seen on any location/vessel to date. Turtles, stingray and sharks were also spotted by most onboard.

Osprey V offer a free introductory scuba lesson. This 10 minute scuba demonstration will allow you to try before you buy. The dive staff were very gentle in their instructions and understanding of the fears that a lot of people feel when diving for the first time. I appreciated this very much as an intro diver myself. This awesome fun-dive experience has left me for the first time ever in my 16years experience as a local travel agent, wanting to become certified!

For quite some time now, I have had really great feedback regarding the crew member and entertainer “Elvis”, this is one of the reasons that I choose to come out and experience Osprey V for myself. The Gentleman is a true entertainer. Character and humour relaxed everyone onboard, when he played the Didgeridoo, every conversation on the boat stopped. I was mesmerised by his skills and use of traditional culture to entertain us on the way home. The trip home from the reef felt like the shortest time I have ever been on a vessel to/from the reef. This was because I was so entertained from the free wine for everyone, and cheese & crackers plus Elvis on his Electric Guitar singing old fashioned favourites but re-writing the words of the songs to include every culture & person onboard in a fun and comedic way. Everyone onboard was laughing just as hard as I was, and by the end, all cultures aboard where doing the Aussie Oi Oi Oi chant!!

What a great way to experience the Great Barrier Reef – it was truly a wonderful day.