Thursday , 22nd October, and what a perfect Cairns day to go to the Great Barrier Reef… and we made a great choice to go on “Reef Quest“, from Cairns which gave us an absolutely fantastic day cruise.
After flying in from Sydney this morning I was looking forward to some tropical weather. It was a little cooler than I’d planned and I was glad I had brought along pants and a jumper!
I’ve been holidaying in Cairns for almost 12 years and have been out on my share of Reef Trips and let’s admit it, they all do basically the same trip: 2 different dive sites, snorkelling gear, lunch and coffee & tea – so it’s the reef destinations and little extras that make the difference.
From the time you get on the boat to the moment you get off, the service and crew are impressive. The crew to passenger numbers are high, as there was always someone around to help with any queries or problems. The crew seem genuinely content and their service and attention were great.
Reef Quest provide a wetsuit for everyone which is usually an extra (usually $6.00 hire) on other cruises. As a snorkeller a wetsuit offers you with sun protection and also buoyancy which makes snorkelling simpler and more fun.
Reef Quest have a choice of 17 different scuba diving sites and select the best 2 reefs based on the days conditions. A guided snorkelling tour is also on offer at both sites and this is a real plus for first time snorkelers or anyone wanting to learn a little bit more about the Great Barrier Reef. The snorkel guide dives down and picks up things like sea cucumbers and shells and brings them up so you can all have a close look. They also know where the best coral is, so it does add a bit to the days experience.
Lunch was yummy with heaps of variety including pasta salad, bean salad, Greek salad, local fruits, cold meats, bread rolls and prawns. There was tea and coffee and soft drinks from the bar available throughout the day.
All in all it was a fantastic day out.
