Day 5 - Great Barrier Reef

We were up very early for our trip out to the reefs.

We met for our tour at 7.30 and boarded our boat, the Ocean Freedom.  We left at 8 and had 2 stops on the reef.  The weather conditions were perfect according to the captain but it was quite a bumpy ride.  

 

 
Terns resting on a mooring , from left to right:
Greater Crested Tern, Bridled Tern, Black Naped Tern  

 
Mountains of Queensland Coast and another boat leaving with us 

 
Leaving Cairns 

 
Bridled Terns taking a rest 

At the first stop we first had a ride over the reef in a glass bottomed boat and learned a bit about the reef and creatures that live here.  There are 2 types of coral - soft and hard.  

 

 
Fish taken from the glass bottomed boat 

 
The glass bottomed boat 

 
Fish seen from glass bottomed boat 

 
Sea Cucumber (or Sea Slug) under a small piece of coral 

Afterwards we had 90 minutes to snorkel in Upolu Cay Reef.  This reef is predominantly soft coral and doesnt have a lot of colour to it.  The waters were really choppy and it was difficult to focus the camera a we were being forced up and down with the swell of the sea.  We saw a lot of Sea Cucumbers lying on the sandy parts.  There were quite a few fish and our time here went very quickly.  What was amazing is the range of sizes of fish.  There were extremely tiny fish, no more than 1cm, maybe less and some very large fish.  We also saw a green sea turtle and Paul got some great photos of it.  

 
The colour of the reef 

 
The colours of the reef 

























 

 

We had lunch back on the boat and a rest before moving off to another reef not too far away called Outer Edge Upolu Cay.  This is predominantly hard coral and has a lot more colour to it.  The seas were a little cloudy, as they often are in this area.  Again we saw a great diversity of fish.  

 
Different sea colours showing where the reefs are deepest 

 
Fish at the steps of the boat 





















When we were all back on board, the Captain took us all to the back of the boat where he through bits of fish into the water.  There were loads of big and small fish around the boat and were extremely near to us when we got out.  Each time he through the food, one large fish managed to get it every time no matter what direction he through it.  This fish, which the crew have nicknamed "Gary" 😆 was so very quick and all the others didnt stand a chance.  These fish obviously associate the boat with food and wait there every day.    

We were back in Cairns just after 4 and came back to the hotel for a much needed shower before going out for dinner.


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