The whole reason to come all this way up to Cairns is singular: the Great Barrier Reef. The city is essentially featureless and serves as a central crossroads for tourists and adventure-seekers passing through to remarkably more interesting destinations. But the reef, after having seen a bit of it first hand, is phenomenally beautiful.
I booked an all-day trip on a fast boat called the Silverswift to go out on the reef and attempt snorkeling. Leaving at 8:30, about forty of us arrived on Flynn Reef, about 50 km out to sea, very close to the edge of the continental shelf. The boat maneuvered to three different locations on the reef, anchored and lowered stairs into the water off the back. Scuba divers went into the water, followed by us snorkelers.
After some equipment issues with my mask (involving swallowing sea water), I got used to breathing through my mouth and started swimming around the extensive reefs. I have to say this was one of the best things I have ever done. I spent about a total of 3 hours in the water. The sea was warm and the sunlight lit up the environment like a torch. I swam over large, shallow fields of coral, deep crevices and gentle mounds of underwater sand dunes. The reef teemed with sea life- so many colorful fishes of varying sizes, from large red bass to big schools of little minnows. The blue-colored fish fascinated me most- they shimmered in the sunlight darting around in synchronization especially as I reached out to touch them.
This is an experience I want to do again and soon.A few words about Lycra:
1. It is recommended to protect snorkelers from the hot tropical sun as they flop around the water’s surface.
2. It is useful in protecting from the dreaded stings of jellyfish.
3. It is an amazingly stretchable material.
4. I look terrible in a bright blue full-body Lycra.
I have a photo to prove it but it will never see the light of day.
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