The Reef Marina

We booked in to go on a day cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. There are a couple of cruise options, you can go all the way to the outer barrier reef which is a two hours cruise there and back or to one of the inner island reefs which is a bit over an hour. Given past experience with sea sickness we opted for the closer cruise.

The Low Islands are just off Port Douglas and were described by Captain Cook when he sailed through. There are two islands Low Island and Woody Island with a sand bar that emerges at low tide connecting them. The islands shelter a coral reef and given the wind and waves running today it was just as well.

The boat was a 56 foot catamaran and there were 14 customers and 4 crew. It was a beautiful boat.

We left at 8.30 and sailed out to the island. It was a rough trip. At the islands we tied up and retrieved the glass bottomed boat they leave tied up out there. We had to get suited up. There are no crocs but there are stingers so we had the usual flippers and goggles which were worn with the head to toe stinger suit. Very cool! They ferried us to shore and we started snorkeling around. The day was a bit cloudy and showery so the colours weren’t that great but you could still see loads of coral, giant clams, damsel fish, and loads more. There were a couple of turtles and a small reef shark hanging around as well.

After a snorkel we went for a bit of a walk around the Low Island. It is mainly used for research of course. We were then ferried back to the boat for lunch followed by another drift and snorkel. All up it was excellent and the crew were very helpful. The sail back was a bit rough but it was just fantastic sailing back to the marina.

After lunch it was a delicious Chinese meal and an early night.

Tomorrow we head back to Cairns.Read more