Off to the Great Barrier Reef

This morning we head out early from Airlie Harbour to journey to the Great Barrier Reef.  We will first go by the many Whitsunday Islands.

There are pontoon stations that we tie up to and this will be where we snorkel and others will scuba.  They are very well equipped.

Marlene and I have got our stinger outfits on.  These suits prevent 75% of stings from jelly fish.  There is a low risk at this time of year.  Stinger season is usually from November to May so we are on the tail end of the season.

Lots of fish and some great looking coral.  Looks like a fish is going in my mouth!

You can see where part of the reef is as there are different shades of blue.

Spotted this beautiful tortoise swimming by.

They also had a sub that you could go in as it moved between the pontoon stations.  You look out the windows to see the fish so it’s great for those that can’t go in the water.  Limited to what you see though.

Inside the “sub”.

Last snorkel before lunch onboard and then back to Airlie Beach.  It took a couple of hours each way to reach the reef.  We were told the Great Barrier Reef is approximately the same size as Japan!

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