Great Barrier Reef Day Trip
Michael Brouses of the USA went on a Great Barrier Reef day trip during a 4-day holiday of the area in June 2007. He told me about it afterwards...
Didn't use a travel agent, I had a friend that lives over there who made arrangements. We sailed with Ocean Free Tours.
The group we went with took us to an island so people who didn't want to dive could go to the island after lunch and spend time there.
It had a pool, the beach, a crocodile show and you could walk through the forest. So it gave you a little extra if you didn't want to spend the whole time on the boat. Even if you do two dives you can go to the island for a bit before returning, the rest of the people would just return later in the afternoon.
The boat we were on for the Great Barrier Reef day trip was a decent size with a crew of 5 or 6 people and there were about 20 passengers.
The crew were very friendly, coming up to talk to anyone. If you had any questions they were happy to help. Also on the dive if you had a question about anything they would answer it when we got back on the boat.
Lunch was included on the boat as a buffet style. It wasn't bad for lunch on a boat, there was plenty of food for everyone there.
We also spent three nights at the Hibiscus Gardens Spa Resort Hotel in Port Douglas and a night at 201 Lake Street Hotel in Cairns. I really liked the Hibiscus. The Lake Street hotel was ok but we probably could have gotten something a little closer to everything. But for cleanness and space it was great.
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The weather was a little hazy on the morning of our Great Barrier Reef day trip but then it cleared up and was great.
Visibility was great. Was able to see lots of fish at a distance and could go down about 40 feet and still see everything clearly. Since I didn't have my certification at the time that was as far down as they would take me.
 The diving was awesome. Got to do two dives.
The first dive I didn't see too much other than clams, coral and types of fish.
On the second dive I got to see a reef shark, swim next to a big turtle and saw a huge ray which lifted its stinger. Luckily I didn't get stung but it was cool to see before it swam off. I would have liked to been down there longer but definitely can't complain.
Also got to see clown fish, a sea cucumber and others.
I didn't get seasick during our Great Barrier Reef day trip, but my friend did. I don't think she used any medication for it. I know I started to feel bad but that was because I was below deck and had the exhaust hitting me. I just moved up deck to the fresh air and felt better. Not only did that make me feel better but by going up above at that time I saw some dolphins swimming next to the boat.
I think it was the two days of adventure. The first dive, I dove the reef and got to see the reef, the fish and other creatures of the sea, definitely amazing.
The next day I took a hot air balloon ride followed by skydiving and then going white water rafting. Those two days just made the trip something to always remember about Australia.
If you are going to be here go diving, it really is relaxing and enjoyable being under the water with no sounds and able to see the life up close.
 The most important thing to pack on a Great Barrier Reef day trip, is sunscreen. You are out in the open without much shade so having that help to keep me from getting burnt.
The only regret I had was not having enough cameras to take underwater shots. I only brought one camera for two dives and ran out and missed a shot of a ray. I may not have the picture to remember it by but I definitely have the experience to remember it by.
Great Barrier Reef Day Trip Rating:
Easily a 10 out of 10!!
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