This map shows the location of our trip. On this day, we went first
to Agincourt Reef, then Crispin Reef after lunch. The locations
vary from time to time, depending upon (expected) conditions.
Tuesday was our day to visit and explore the Great Barrier Reef. There are a number of boats offering service, and there's no obvious reason to pick one over the other. However, Lynn decided that we would use Haba at least in part because they were recommended by somebody, and she also liked the look of the boat. Fine with me. In fact, it turned out to be an excellent choice, as it is nowhere near as large as the Quicksilver boats, and thus there was much more personal attention.
This map shows the location of our trip. On this day, we went first
to Agincourt Reef, then Crispin Reef after lunch. The locations
vary from time to time, depending upon (expected) conditions.
There are no crocodiles on the outer reef (although there was one at Low Isles yesterday, to everybody's surprise), and likely no stingers, as they are an in-shore problem (breeding in the rivers). However, they are not entirely unknown on the outer reef. Hence, Haba prefers that its patrons use either a lycra suit, or a full wet suit, if so desired. However, as the water temperature was 27 degrees, the latter seems a bit of overkill, except as a floatation aid.
This is a photo Keiran took off the back of the boat. I didn't take my
camera, for all sorts of reasons, but size has something to do with it!
We went snorkelling at both locations, and it was great. The water clarity was not all that great, as the night before the corals spawned. The benefit, however, was many fish - they were all in eating the coral's efforts. And what a variety of fish, some of which were just so brilliantly coloured as to be unbelievable. I think I was most attracted by some vivid blue ones.
We had about 90 minutes at each reef for snorkelling. In both instances, I spent about an hour in the water, and that seemed pretty common. And in between, we were served a good tropical lunch. There was also a glass bottom boat tour, in which about 10 of us and a guide went around part of the reef. This was a question and answer session, and filled in some of the details not covered in the video presentation shown while headed out in the morning.
All in all, an excellent day! And highly recommended.
Peter asked what "HABA" stood for. The first answer was "Have A Beer Afterwards". Then there was some mumbling about "Health And Beauty ... ". Whatever it stands for, we had an excellent day.
Port Douglas