Smurfs diving at the Great Barrier Reef!!!!

Yesterday we went diving at the Great Barrier Reef. We booked ourselves on a smaller boat called the SeaStar that only takes 30 people (most boats here take 75 people). We wanted to experience the reef without 75 other divers in the water with us. We were not disappointed as we were the only two divers on the boat so we had a dive guide all to ourselves. It is “stinger” (jellyfish) season here so we had to where stinger suits to protect us from the nearly invisible but deadly jellyfish. The suits are blue from head to and including attached mittens and a hood. We looked like two smurfs.

We did three dives at two different sites. The reef was spectacular and we saw incredible coral, fish, and all other types of sea creatures. We went to a place called the fishbowl and saw 3 foot bumperhead parrot fish. They had a white beak that looked kind of like two front teeth. We saw clown fish (nemo), butterfly fish, trumpet fish, coral cod, anemone and numerous other amazing fish. The coral gardens were spectacular and had many types, sizes, varieties and colors of coral. Some of the coral was gigantic.

We were lucky enough to see a white tipped reef shark. And no, it wasn’t scary. It scampered off the minute it noticed us.


Our guide was very knowledgeable and showed us the soft coral that we could touch. We were also able to touch/hold two different types of sea cucumber and a purple sea star.





We saw giant clams that would snap closed when we touched them.


One of my favorites was a three foot giant maori wrasse that they called “Wally” who hangs out everyday at the end of the boat. Wally was very gentle and would let you touch him and almost hug him.


The water here is very clear with good visibility for diving. This is a view of Michealmas Cay and part of the reef .



It is really almost impossible to explain how amazing the Great Barrier Reef really is. Everyone should experience this for themselves…..