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.
