Make a splash on the Reef
Discover a natural wonder
WHETHER you have never experienced the Great Barrier Reef, or you venture out there every single weekend, there is always something new to discover about the natural wonder on Cairns’ doorstep.
Day trips on-board the large catamarans departing the city’s Reef Fleet Terminal can be the easiest and best-value way to see the World-Heritage listed living wonder. If you have never been on one of these big dive boats, however, you may not know what to expect.
Here are a few tips on how to get the best out of a Reef trip:
• Your biggest concern after a whole day on the Reef is sunburn. Before you go, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen (ensure it is waterproof) and a hat. For added measure, bring a collared shirt. You can upturn the collar to protect the back of your neck against the sun’s harsh UV rays.
• The best spot on the catamaran will always be in the middle part of the lower deck. While tourists who have never been out to the Reef before will gravitate towards the upper decks, board the boat early to secure the cosiest seats on the boat. You can stretch out in the aircon and be closest to the buffet come lunch time. If you are prone to seasickness, you can feel the boat rocking the least here. Don’t forget to ask for non-drowsy seasickness tablets (ginger) before the boat sets off to combat any signs of queasiness.
• Before you arrive at the Reef site, go and grab a stinger suit. Regardless of whether it is stinger season, a full-body Lycra suit will, not only protect you from jellyfish tentacles, it also doubles as full-body sun protection. Don’t be embarrassed by how you look in the stinger suit — absolutely no one looks good in them. They are purely functional, not fashionable. But the sooner you can put it on, the faster you’ll be in the water.
• Don’t over-exert yourself swimming. You can get surprisingly tired after an hour or so of snorkelling. To conserve your energy, grab a pool noodle or another flotation device when you collect your mask and snorkel. Again, less splashing about will allow you to view more marine life.
• Make friends with the boat’s marine biologist. Most tour operators employ scientists to lead tours and give presentations about Great Barrier Reef marine life. Not only are these folk extremely knowledgeable about what you can expect the moment you immerse yourself underwater, they can give you some pro tips about where to head to see stuff everyone else may miss, like where the resident humphead Maori wrasse likes to hang out.
• Later in the day, the upper decks of the boat tend to become less crowded, as sunburnt passengers head inside to avoid the glare of the afternoon sun. Sun loungers that were previously occupied may be empty. This a great place to dry off after your last snorkel or swim of the day, read a book or just chill with a drink from the bar. It’s also the best spot to get an amazing scenic photo of Cairns and the surrounding mountains on your way back to the mainland.