{"id":34219,"date":"2014-08-22T09:00:44","date_gmt":"2014-08-21T23:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/blog\/?p=34219"},"modified":"2018-05-14T08:18:42","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T22:18:42","slug":"my-great-barrier-reef-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/my-great-barrier-reef-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"My GREAT Barrier Reef experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

I keep thanking my brother, and he keeps thanking me. Ultimately, I wouldn\u2019t have embarked on this adventure had he not flown from Ireland<\/a> to hang out with me for three months.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I asked him, \u201cWhat do you want to do while you\u2019re here in Australia?\u201d<\/p>\n

His response? \u201cI would love to learn to scuba dive<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a>

Our future?<\/p><\/div>\n

In all honesty, it was not something I\u2019d ever considered doing, but I checked it out and took a course with Snorkel Safari Brisbane<\/a> to get my Open Water License. After a few days bobbing around in a swimming pool and the ocean near Tweed Heads<\/a>, I wasn\u2019t sure I was fit for it. Even so, my brother, partner and I planned a trip to Airlie Beach<\/a>, booked a room at Boathouse Apartments by Outrigger<\/a>, and at 6am one morning hopped on a bus to go on our first ever recreational dive. It would be three hours on open waters, a crossing over a shipping channel with gnarly waves, and some serious sea sickness before we reached what I could only describe as another world.<\/p>\n

The sun was shining and the top of the Great Barrier Reef wall could be seen from the Reefworld Pontoon at Hardy Reef. We were first up to do the dive, so I had no time to get nervous. Brilliant!<\/p>\n

\"Underwater<\/a>

Underwater selfie!<\/p><\/div>\n

We donned our gear and, with GoPro in hand, jumped on a piece of wood with a motor attached. No, seriously. We were taken against the current so we would use less air swimming around. There was no time to faff about, and within a couple of minutes the three of us jumped into the water, sinking into a deep blue eerie silence.<\/p>\n

If I would take anything away from diving, it\u2019s that it\u2019s so peaceful. And what you see beneath the water\u2026 it blows my mind.<\/p>\n

We flipper our way down to 18m, which is as low as I can go recreationally. Many Nemos and Dories crossed our path, the beautiful coral changed colours beneath our touches, and schools of fish crossed our view, seemingly oblivious to our presence.<\/p>\n

The coral seemed to tower above us; I could have stayed in one spot for hours watching everything unfold before me. Who needs Netflix? This shiz is real!<\/p>\n

\"So<\/a>

So much to take in.<\/p><\/div>\n

One swift look out to the right showed nothing but blue, and back to the left was a wall of amazing coral and fish, sooooo many fish. Our diving guides from Cruise Whitsundays<\/a> were pointing out the different kinds of sea life around us, and before too long our air was coming to 50 bar. We needed to start surfacing.<\/p>\n

\"Time<\/a>

Time to surface.<\/p><\/div>\n

Taking our lives in our hands, we headed out to the deep blue nothing, trusting the guides to take us back to the pontoon. Sure enough, a rope materialised and we slowly made our ascent.<\/p>\n

Having previously only ever scubaed while I was learning, I realised that it\u2019s an entirely different experience when you\u2019re simply there to take in the surrounds. I was addicted \u2013 hook, line and sinker.<\/p>\n

Already planning my next dive, I spent the remaining three hours snorkeling and hanging out on the reef with Dory, Nemo, clams, and all kinds of beautiful fish. Check it out!<\/p>\n

\"Snorkel<\/a>

Snorkel time!<\/p><\/div>\n

At the end of our big day out on the Great Barrier Reef, we headed back \u201chome\u201d to the Boathouse Apartments. With views over Port Airlie Marina out to the Coral Sea, it was the perfect place to rest our heads and have sweet scuba dreams.<\/p>\n

Have you ever scubaed? Leave us a comment to tell us your fave place to dive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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