After locating Finger A Wharf on Thursday 15 August 2024 we then need to work out
where the boat is. We join the line to “check-in”. A lot of people have
literally a handbag and we have two small bags each. Hey ho. More and more
people keep arriving.
When it’s our turn to check-in we realize that a
lot of the people around us are doing a day trip only. Phew! I was worried how
many people would be on the boat tonight. Those of us who are staying a night
or more are ushered upstairs.
We pull back from the wharf at 8.10am. The 1.5
hour boat trip goes smoothly.
When we arrive at the Reef Encounter (boat) there are divers in the water so we have to wait before parking up next to it and letting those of us staying off.
The newbies are given a boat briefing before been given our room number.
It’s then like a well-oiled machine - get fins and masks then wetsuits before attending a mandatory scuba diving briefing.
We have some spare time before lunch time. I had thought we were going to be diving soon after arriving on the boat but alas no. Lunch is very good.
My left ear played up a bit on the first dive (location was Norman-Fingers), which stressed me out. This of course made me go through more air. In the end it came right. Was great to be under the water again. One of the highlights was seeing a giant clam, a couple of grey reef sharks and of course the coral and many different types of fish.
As soon as we get back on board, it’s a hot shower on the desk before going to stand in the sun. The water is so much colder than in Asia (typically 28 degrees).
We move locations once everyone is back on board.
The second dive was good (location was Norman-Troppos). Unfortunately had issues with both ears, but they eventually came right. Highlights was seeing a grey reef shark, bump head puffer fish and many many different schools of fish.
Like after the first dive, it’s a hot shower on the deck before going to sit on the top deck in the sun to warm up.
As I was 50/50 on going on the night dive I attended the night dive briefing (a requirement) before we had a delicious dinner.
In the end I elect not to do the night dive. A hot shower is needed! And it’s probably good my ears have a wee break.
To say its sharks for Africa would be an understatement. Wow wow wow! As well as giant trevally. Who needs to go under the water when you can stand on deck. It’s memorizing.
It’s a struggle to get out of bed on Friday 16 August. For me it had been a short night - and lots and lots and of lots rolling. Thankfully I didn’t feel sick (my motion sickness pills are great).
Just as we sit down at breakfast one of the staff members calls out whale whale. We all jump up to see. Amazing! Even though it’s far away you can see it breach - wow wow wow!
We enjoy a proper coffee during the downtime between breakfast and our dive.
For our final dive it’s just Kat and I and the guide (location was Saxon-Twin Peaks). I have a small problem with my ear but thankfully it comes right fairly quickly. Timo (guide) was super patient which helped.
It ended up being one of my best dives ever. Super chilled and lots to see. Triggerfish, lion fish, grey reef shark, clam, barracuda’s, angel fish to name a few plus many different types of coral fish.
After having a hot shower in the sun we head upstairs to the top deck to relax in the sun. It’s so nice having the huge wide-open spaces as the view.
Lunch is just as good as the other meals we have had since being on board.
Back to the sun we head.
We go snorkelling for our last water time. Both electing not to wear a wetsuit. As soon as I jump in, I do regret that.
We are given our final briefing before relaxing until the day boat comes to collect us. It’s been a great trip!
About half way back to Cairns the captain slows the boat and someone calls our whales. Wow! Amazing to see them!!!
The boat trip passes by quickly when you are whale spotting.
It’s been a fabulous two days out on the Great Barrier Reef. Would absolutely recommend people come and see this amazing part of the world.
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