Windy start and snorkelling

We motored all night to arrive at the Rowley Shoals Marine Park,
260km west of Broome. It was quite windy and the boat rocked a fair bit on the trip over and for most of the morning. I woke at 530am to the rocking and managed to get back to sleep. Breaky was served at 7am. There’s a buffet breakfast and a hot option. This morning was a poached egg and avocado salsa, delicious. We then had snorkel briefing and got fitted out with gear and ready for the day ahead. There were options of snorkelling, a helicopter ride, diving and fishing. You could do all or none. Unfortunately because of the wind and the swell, we couldn’t snorkel until we had crossed into the lagoon and we had to wait until high tide. We relaxed on the sun decks spotting dolphins, whales and took in the turquoise waters and when it was high tide crossed into the marine park. Helicopter flights were also changed to another day so as not to cram all activities into the first arvo. An Indonesian duck salad was served for lunch and then we headed off snorkelling. I was glad Dad elected not to partake as it was an early start to the day and he’d had a beer and wine at lunch so not the best prep for a snorkel. We got on tenders to the reef and then drifted over the coral reef for about an hour. It’s aptly named the aquarium. A forest of blue and other coloured corals, so many fish and we were lucky enough to see a turtle and a reef shark in the distance. Back on board for more reading and R&R. Sunset drinks were served with prawns on the sun deck before another sumptuous feast of lamp racks with a Moroccan salad for dinner. Lots of stories of snorkelling, diving and fishing were shared. An early night tonight as the first snorkel tomorrow is at 630am!Read more