A Day Trip to The Reef with Deep Sea Divers Den

Sunday , 35th August, and what a lovely North Queensland day to go to the Barrier Reef… and what a good decision to try “Reef Quest”, from Cairns which provided an absolutely unforgettable day out.
After getting in from Canberra the day before yesterday I was due some nice hot weather. It was a bit chillier than I had predicted and I was glad I had remembered Jeans and a warm jacket!
I’ve been going to Cairns for about 11 years and have been out on enough Reef Trips and let’s face it, they all do pretty much the same day: 2 different reefs, snorkelling gear, lunch and afternoon tea – so it’s the dive sites and little extras that count.

From the time you board to the time you disembark, the service and staff are very professional. The staff to guest ratio is good, as there was always someone available to assist with any questions or dramas. The staff seem really happy and their service and attention were really good.

Reef Quest issue a wetsuit free of charge which is normally an extra (usually $8.00 hire) on other tours. For the snorkelers a wetsuit gives you some protection from the sun and also buoyancy which makes snorkelling easier.

Reef Quest have a selection of 15 different dive sites and choose the best 2 reefs based on the weather forecast. A guided snorkelling option is also available at both reefs and this is a real bonus for beginners or anyone wanting to find out a little bit more about the reef. The snorkel guide dives to the bottom and picks up things like seaweed and bits of dead coral and brings them up so people can have a good look. They also know where the nicest coral is, so it does add a lot to the great barrier reef experience.

The meal was good with lots of variety including potato salad, rice salad, garden salad, local fruits, cold meats, bread rolls and soup. There is tea and coffee and cold water available all day.

To sum things up it was an impressive day.

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Cairns’ Reef

The Cairns harbour houses a fleet that features some quite awesome dive boats. The most recent member of the fleet is the Seastar, recently brought out this last week.

This excellent good-looking brand new ship is 80 ft long, and can make the journey out there to Seastar’s dive sites in under an hour. The vessel is going to be swift and stable, together with lots of shaded and air-conditioned interior room.

Seastar Cruises has generally prided themselves on offering an incredibly unique as well as individual tour, and they happen to be evolving the locations to help enhance the smaller group adventure which these people have always delivered.

A lot of people like the main very simple fact that the managers cap the levels onboard to just 45 people, well beneath the actual full capacity of the particular boat; this means there is certainly lots of space on board. With the help of a faster vessel they may leave a bit less early on, but still always be the very first charter boat to go to see Michaelmas Cay, and so snorkelers as well as birdwatchers have it just about all to themselves. This kind of tour will be the A-list escape designed for birdwatchers that would like to mix an outstanding reef cruise with a probability to witness exotic seabird species.

Your speedier trip out there also means that considerably more precious time can be spent on Michaelmas Cay in addition to Seastar’s other scuba mooring within Hastings Reef; visitors may currently spend in excess of 5 hrs out there on the ocean.

Lastly, whenever the Japanese people restart the annual fall/winter research whale hunt, they can be expecting the numerous followers as well as protectors of Migaloo to be protesting the actual research. While the Japanese offer to actually resume commercialized whaling had been knocked back, for the 1st time in a number of years the controversial clinical chase will probably incorporate the taking of fifty Humpback whales, therefore Migaloo is going to be at an increased risk as soon as the guy visits Antarctic locations the following springtime and summer. The Great Barrier Reef was been honored with the universel Travel with regard to Tomorrow award for Top Location at this springs Travel and leisure for The future Awards held in Lisbon, Spain. The prize, distributed by the World Vacationing and Travel Council, is reckoned on the list of “oscars” belonging to the tourism world.

With all the reports regarding the hazards associated with climatic change on the Great Barrier Reef it’s certainly great the fact that the reef has picked up an award with a name that features the phrase “Tourism of Tomorrow” so we hold great hope regarding overseas initiatives increasingly being which are designed to curtail just how much co2 manufactured by peoples behavior. The important decisions, sacrifices, as well as organizing still has yet to come, however many of us continue to be optimists with regards to protection of the reef.

Throughout the past decade fantastic strides were made to take care of the reef, via a coordinated management structure that looks at activity both within the reef such as offshore fishing along with tourisms, along with the nearby coastal areas. Over 30% of the Great Barrier Reef is entirely protected from fishing and other extractive recreation during the past ten years.

The particular honor sported this particular Judges’ opinion: “Enormous improvement has been made to successfully incorporate your really delicate travel and leisure marketplace within the control over incredibly large aquatic preservation region.”

The risk involving global warming extends well beyond the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s causes involve individuals and industries al around the globe, not only Australia. Most of us hope to actually see a solid coalition of countries acting to decrease green house chemicals successfully, as well as note that team include both Australia together with the Usa.

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Some Facts About The Barrier Reef

The Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world stretching from the northernmost point of Australia to just north of the border. It’s coral reefs stretch over 2000km along the eastern coast.

The Barrier Reef is home to well over 1200 fish species, dolphins, dugongs and turtles. Many different types of birdlife can be found in the area.

The coral which creates the reef itself is also a living thing. When it dies it turns white, and creates the basis for further reef growth. Different varieties of coral grow at varying speeds, while some are very quick to grow, some take well over a 100 years to reach maturity. The vivid colours are not formed by the coral but by the growth of algae living on it.

The barrier reef needs a tropical climate as it requires on warm shallow water for optimal growth. Clean water and lots of light is required to keep the coral healthy.

With 100′s of 1000′s of square miles of reef it is a watersports mecca. Various day tours are available from the communities all along the coast. Even if you don’t swim you can see the marvels of the reef through reef viewing tours.

The reef is heritage listed and vast areas are restricted from fishing and removing coral from the reef is prohibited to protect it for our childrens children.

The colourful and exciting capital of North Queensland, Cairns is alive with life and charm. Located in the centre of some of the most awe inspiringly beautiful and environmentally important areas in the world, Cairns is the natural doorway to the natural riches of rainforest, tablelands, outback, and The Great Barrier Reef. The CBD itself has many attractions – great shopping, theatres, cinemas, museums, botanical gardens, a casino, and fine international dining. Cairns is firmly established as one of Australia’s leading visitor destinations, being the departure point for all the best water based adventures. Cairns reef tours are definately the most popular for most tourists, however the area is quickly becoming recognised as the extreme sport capital of Queensland.

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