Great Barrier Reef Question

[Pearl64]

Thank you for your replies. I do have another dumb question. How deep is the water where we will be going? Maybe this is something for my husband to do as he is a stronger swimmer than I. I don't get to swim so I am out of practice. I still have time to think about this. I may just be too old to try something new.

 

Pearl

[cjm66]

Thank you for your replies. I do have another dumb question. How deep is the water where we will be going? Maybe this is something for my husband to do as he is a stronger swimmer than I. I don't get to swim so I am out of practice. I still have time to think about this. I may just be too old to try something new.

 

Pearl

 

The water around the pontoon is quite deep, more than 10 metres (30 plus feet). This allows for anchorage witout damaging the reef and for the catamaran to dock alongside. It is a short swim over this deeper water to the coral outcrops which are much closer to the surface. The area is well patrolled by staff who keep a look out for less confident swimmers. My Partner is not a swimmer (legacy of a childhood in the north of England). He has come with me three times and had no difficulty filling in his time with trips in the submersible, which he enjoyed, time spent in the underwater viewing platform and people watching. My mother also saw the reef through the glass windows and reports it as the most wonderful sight. It is up to you whether the tour would be worth it for you on this basis if you decide not to swim when you get out to the reef. If you do go, take your swimming costume anyway and please remember the water resistance sun screen and a long sleeved shirt you can wear in the water to prorect your arms and the back of your neck. Remember sunscreen on the backs of your knees - a very tender spot for those unused to the sum and floating buttom up! Another option if the tour is available and doable from your ship would be a trip to Green Island - usually half a day. Far less spectacular than a reef trip but perhaps a compromise for you both?

 

Colleen

[Pearl64]

Thank you, Colleeen. You have given me much to think about.

 

Pearl

[GradUT]

While I have not gone out with Quicksilver, I have snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef with other boats at least 8 times. Quicksilver, like the boats I've taken, have staff on hand who will show you how to successfully use the snorkel gear and are monitoring the snorkelers in the water for any signs of distress. They will offer you floatation devices and I strongly urge you to wear a wetsuit while you snorkel. Not only will this protect you from the sun and stingers, but it will give you extra buoyancy and help you when you snorkel.

 

Despite your lack of swimming skills, I hope that you will give snorkeling a try. The staff of Quicksilver are used to dealing with non-swimmers and less-than-confident swimmers. Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is an INCREDIBLE experience.

[MJC]

Don't forget that salt water gives you some buoyancy as well, so between that and the wetsuit and a snorkel vest you can float about quite comfortably for long periods of time. Use your legs and flippers to swim, you don't even need your hands and arms as you would in a pool doing real swimming.

[smudge16ch]

many many thanks for that link. No, RCL do not provide the detail. just that you go to a pontoon. Your link has helped so much and Hardy reef is the only one near to Airlie beach. Thank you, thank you. Steve Bell

[partymarty4878]

I am about 95% sure that no reef boats will pick you up directly from your cruise ship in Cairns, have a look at this site for some Cairns tours suitable for cruise ship passengers.

[Tony UK]

We will be tendered 8-00am to 8pm from Yorkeys Knob. We wanted to do the quicksilver from Port Douglas to the Agincourt reef - we did it a number of years ago and loved it. How long would it take us to get to port douglas from the teder point. Is it too high risk? Are the tours from Cairns comparable or would we be disappointed?

[cjm66]

We will be tendered 8-00am to 8pm from Yorkeys Knob. We wanted to do the quicksilver from Port Douglas to the Agincourt reef - we did it a number of years ago and loved it. How long would it take us to get to port douglas from the teder point. Is it too high risk? Are the tours from Cairns comparable or would we be disappointed?

 

It is at least an hours drive from Cairns to Port Douglas - allow more to find transport etc - so you would be most unlikely to make the absolutely on time departure of the Quicksilver at 9:30. Tendering at Yorkeys can also take more time than you expect.

 

There are operators in Cairns - to a different reef system. The company we were with leaves too early for your timetable. You could try

 

http://sunlover.tourstogo.com.au/tour/462-sunlover-moore-reef-cruise-ex-reef-fleet-terminal/

 

They have a 9:30 departure time - mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. You could try a more specific question about recommended operators for independent cruisers. Check out and compare the ship's tour prices - sure to be a tour on offer. We have done this to ensure priority tendering and peace of mind if the price difference is not way out there.

 

Colleen

[cruiselovers20]

just read the excellent comments/recommendations on this thread. Since we are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to the GBR by ourselves prior to our cruise in early March, 2013, this information has been very valuable.

One question, how far in advance should be think about booking a trip with Quicksilver or any other operators? We are currently planning to stay in Cairns.

any recommendations are much appreciated!

[Sutho]

Just a friendly word of warning to people that the Barrier Reef is not all that it is hyped up to be. I am Australian and have been there and in comparisson to other places in the world the Barrier Reef is a major disappointment with nothing spectacular or breathtaking to see apart from dead coral.

 

If any Australian company is willing to take me there again free of charge to show me what is so good about it I may change my mind, but to date I have seen the reef and was left unimpressed.

 

I should also point out that I have snorkelled in Curacao in the Netherland Antillies in the South Caribbean and I found their coral and underwater life absolutely breathdatking and amazing.

 

If you want to go and see the reef then great, but dont be suprised if it does not meet with your expectations.

[cjm66]

just read the excellent comments/recommendations on this thread. Since we are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to the GBR by ourselves prior to our cruise in early March, 2013, this information has been very valuable.

One question, how far in advance should be think about booking a trip with Quicksilver or any other operators? We are currently planning to stay in Cairns.

any recommendations are much appreciated!

 

We have done regular land based trips to the area and stay at Port Douglas rather than Cairns. We did take the Quicksilver trip twice as a couple - it offered something for me - a guided outside reef "advanced" snorkel tour and something for him - people watching and a submersible ride around the reef. For the last three years I have gone solo with Wavelength, who are based in Port Douglas and specialise in snorkelling trips - taking you to three anchoring points with different ecology and marine life rather than one area with access from a pontoon, unless you do the guided snokeling tour.

 

I prefer Port Douglas as a base to Cairns. We book about three months in advance for our accommodation and contact Wavelength by email to check bookings closer to our arrival - about a month out. On our last trip the weather was not reliable, a lot of wind and we changed dates to suit after we arrived - having made an online booking ahead.

 

Cheers Colleen

[rugbypopsie]

You can also get to the reef by high speed rib (rigid keel inflatable) in Airlie Beach the ride would be exhillarating in inself and the reef is closer. The reef is fabulous not to be missed..whichever tour you choose. It was the highlight of our family cruise and my husband who is not a great swimmer loved it..although Wally the giant potato cod that lives under the pontoon scared the daylights out of him...don't worry he's harmless just likes visitors...the cod not the husband although he likes visitors too.

 

Geez Sutho dont apply for a job with the tourist board will you!!!

 

Sue

[Sutho]

You can also get to the reef by high speed rib (rigid keel inflatable) in Airlie Beach the ride would be exhillarating in inself and the reef is closer. The reef is fabulous not to be missed..whichever tour you choose. It was the highlight of our family cruise and my husband who is not a great swimmer loved it..although Wally the giant potato cod that lives under the pontoon scared the daylights out of him...don't worry he's harmless just likes visitors...the cod not the husband although he likes visitors too.

 

Geez Sutho dont apply for a job with the tourist board will you!!!

 

Sue

 

In fairness I would be happy to go again if Australian tourism paid for my trip to prove how good it is. Just to me on all the times I was there it was a major disappointment. Take the photo below for example when I went to Hardy Reef from Whitsundays on Orianas 2010 World Cruise:

 

That above is pretty much all the Great Barrier Reef was.

 

On the other hand this is from someone elses underwater camera where I had a great time at Lolamanu Beach in American Samoa back in 2007. This is when I was really up close with the sea life.

 

Barbados was another great place:

 

Unfortuantely I do not own an underwater camera so cant really show how spectacular it was below. I remember Curaca of all the Caribbean Islands as being absolutely breathtaking.

 

Its just after disappointment in all the trips I have been up north to Queensland I have just been left unimpressed with our reef. Many others who have seen it and other places in the world have said the same.

 

Like I said if anyone knows anyone in the tourism industry who is happy to pay my way up to the best of the Barrier Reef then bring it on and I will hapilly write about it if I see the best of it.

[GradUT]

Cruiselovers20, if you are planning to stay in Cairns, you might want to find a tour company that is based in Cairns. Both Quicksilver and Wavelength (which I love and have snorkeled with 5 times) are based in Port Douglas. It would take you about an hour to drive from Cairns to PD or you could use the services of their shuttles at an extra cost. A good place to read about reviews of various reef tour companies in Cairns is on Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g255069-Activities-Cairns_Cairns_District_Queensland.html

 

If you will be in Cairns for a week or so, you should have no problem waiting to book a reef trip until you get there. The reef companies then can tell you, based on weather predictions, which will be the best day to be out on the reef. If your stay in Cairns is only for a few days, it would be best to book in advance, as CJM66 suggests and then contact the tour company closer to your arrival about weather condtions. Most of the reef companies have no problem with your switching dates in advance due to weather conditions if they have availability.

[cruiselovers20]

GradUT - thanks for your valuable recommendation!