The Great Barrier Reef and Non swimmers

[ozcruize]

Worth going to GBR for non swimmers? I noted some GBR tours have semi submersible and viewing platform but you are only allowed a limited time for these activities eg 15mins each. I feel the point of going to the GBR is to snokel and dive, which neither of us can participate. Our cruise has a tour to a pontoon on the outer Moore Reef, has anyone been there?

 

The other thing that worries me is if it's rough seas, I'll get seasick on the catamaran.

 

Like your opinions please:)

 

Thanks in advance

[GandM-nq]

I have been to the reef, but not been on any of the pontoons. Can provide the following though:

 

I think there are only 3 pontoons on Moore reef. Do you know which company you are going with to Moore reef? Following is links to 3 companies that have pontoons there. Maybe read through their website pages to get a better idea of what each provide.

 

http://www.reefmagiccruises.com/

http://www.greatadventures.com.au/

http://www.sunlover.com.au/

 

They all provide a similar inclusive reef experience. For the non swimmers there are glass bottom boats and/or semi submersibles, under water observatories with commentaries provided by marine naturalists/biologists. No idea if they allow you to go round and round again on the boats/semi subs. Guessing the observatory you could sit there all day. 'No swimming involved' extras include things like helicopter flights, massages, helmet dives (obviously additional cost and may depend which pontoon you are on).

 

All three use large fast catamarans. Yes, it can be rough sometimes but the boats handle the seas very well (They more pierce through the waves then go up and down them). Then there are days that it will be like a bath tub flat. Can always hope for that.

[Kinkacruiser]

Take some Avomine the night before for seasickness.

By the way if you can brethe thru a snokel, lie face down on the water and move your finned feet, you can swim well enough to snokel there. Have a little practice at the pool and you see how easy it is.

[cjm66]

I have been to three pontoon sites on the outer reef on catamarans from both Port Douglas and Cairns. The trip varies from very smooth on the wave piecing larger Quicksilver boats to choppy on smaller boats. The trip usually takes about 90 minutes each way and I agree that taking precautions is sensible if you are prone to sea sickness. You are right, there is not much to do on the pontoons for non swimmers. The time in the submersible is limited and the viewing platforms are beside the pontoon itself and not out amongst the coral - good at fish feeding times. If you are truly non swimmers, you will find the floating solution will not work as the water directly around the pontoons is deep and you may need to swim/float up to 20 metres from the pontoon depending on the tides and specific location to see the more brilliant coral. Each pontoon location is a little different but the better viewing tends to be away from the pontoon on the outer edges of the roped off and patrolled snorkelling area. My partner is a poor swimmer and also finds managing his mask and snorkel problematic. He can manage snorkeling off a shallow sloping beach with me beside him AND a flotation device but gets more than a little pannicky once he is out of his depth and he clings onto me for support. He has not snorkelled from pontoons or off boats for this reason. His substitute is to visit the aquarium in Noumea and gaze at the large picture windows onto their living reef. I would never encourage a non swimmer to snorkel from a pontoon.

[ozcruize]

Hello fngboatie, Kinkacruiser and cjm66, so nice of you all to take the time to respond. We will be on the Celebrity Solstice cruise and their GBR trip will be from Cairns to Moore reef. Not sure which of the 3 companies they will use.

The weather up NSW and southern Queenland coast has been so bad last few days and many poor people are affected. I know it's unpredictable but wonder whether the seas will be calmer by end of March, early April for my cruise up north Queensland. Maybe I should wait till I get on the cruise before I book the GBR trip, as I will have good indication of the seas then.

I have bought myself Sea Band for seasickness, never use them before. Have tried Kwells on a previous cruise. Kinkacruiser,can you buy Avomine in Aust?

A lot of CC members from the US recommend Dramamine but can we get those or equivalent here?

Lots to think about. Thank you again:)

[Sutho]

This is what you will see from the submersible

 

and this is what you will see from the pontoon

 

 

In my opinion it was not very impressive at all, quite dull and boring. Too many passengers on the speed boats threw up becuse they got seasick.

[ozcruize]

Thanks Sutho for the photos. Now that I have seen it, maybe I should save my $500! Heh Heh:D

[aussiedisneyfan]

The Celebrity ships also have seasick meds available for free at either the front desk or medical centre (not sure which). It is meclazine which is the active ingredient of Bonine available overseas. A downside of those ones is that it may make you drowsy.

 

I am not sure what these reef tours allow you to bring but we have found this spring float from Big W to be great when snorkeling on the islands. My friend and I often lay sideways across it and just float over the coral/fish. Have also put the kids on there when they were small and they were able to go out in the water when they couldn't swim.

[K-Roo-Zers]

Hello fngboatie, Kinkacruiser and cjm66, so nice of you all to take the time to respond. We will be on the Celebrity Solstice cruise and their GBR trip will be from Cairns to Moore reef. Not sure which of the 3 companies they will use.

The weather up NSW and southern Queenland coast has been so bad last few days and many poor people are affected. I know it's unpredictable but wonder whether the seas will be calmer by end of March, early April for my cruise up north Queensland. Maybe I should wait till I get on the cruise before I book the GBR trip, as I will have good indication of the seas then.

I have bought myself Sea Band for seasickness, never use them before. Have tried Kwells on a previous cruise. Kinkacruiser,can you buy Avomine in Aust?

A lot of CC members from the US recommend Dramamine but can we get those or equivalent here?

Lots to think about. Thank you again:)

 

You can purchase Avomine at most pharmacies. We have taken them several times "just in case" and have suffered no side effects, except for a great nights sleep.

 

Try not to worry too much. The GBR is wonderful and if you can snorkel, and just play around, you will have a ball.

 

When we did the Stingray tour in the Caribbean, I was first in the water which was a huge surprise to my DH as I am a real "scaredy cat". One of the other passengers was terrified and wouldn't go in. I coaxed her and talked her through it and encouraged her. What was the worst thing that could happen?? She did it, and was soooo proud she overcame her fear. If you feel up to it, go for it!!

 

Have a fantastic cruise, try the Avomine and hope the weather is kind to you.

 

Nicki

[orangestreet]

 

I am not sure what these reef tours allow you to bring but we have found this spring float from Big W to be great when snorkeling on the islands. My friend and I often lay sideways across it and just float over the coral/fish. Have also put the kids on there when they were small and they were able to go out in the water when they couldn't swim.

 

That sounds good. Wonder how deep the pontoons are? I am a rubbish swimmer and I think I would prefer the beaches on Green Island too than the pontoons by the sound of it.

 

Would be really grateful if somebody here told us how deep does it really get within the pontoons? Also, are the pontoons evenly deep or do they slope just like a normal ocean floor?

 

 

 

 

 

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[cjm66]

That sounds good. Wonder how deep the pontoons are? I am a rubbish swimmer and I think I would prefer the beaches on Green Island too than the pontoons by the sound of it.

 

Would be really grateful if somebody here told us how deep does it really get within the pontoons? Also, are the pontoons evenly deep or do they slope just like a normal ocean floor?

 

 

 

 

 

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The depth varies according to the tide, but can be up to 8 - 10 metres. At low tide the coral outcrops are closer to the surface BUT you are not allowed to stand on them. There is no sloping entry but a good easy to use platform that you use to fit your mask etc. There are ropes that enclose the snorkelling area and these are fitted with floats and can be used to rest or adjust your mask. Quicksilver has flotation vests and noodles for loan ( free) and these do help. Forget any embarrassment - the view will make up for it. http://www.quicksilver-************/faq.htm

 

The most important safety device for any 'rubbish' swimmer is to snorkel with a companion even in the safe waters around the pontoon. It is enjoyable to share the experience in itself and also confidence building to have a companion as someone noted above. Before my partner a truly awkward swimmer - he sinks! - went snorkelling in Tahiti, he bought a cheap mask and snorkel set and practised in a local swimming pool. At the pontoon, you can also practise close to the platform where you put on your snorkel and fins. Remember to clean off the sunscreen from the contact area for your mask and check there is no hair caught under the seal. I have snorkelled on Green Island and it is a different experience. The more colourful coral outcrops can only be seen from the glass bottomed boat or on one of the boat based snorkelling trips from the island ( requires booking and costs extra).

 

 

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[ozcruize]

aussiedisneyfan, great to hear X will issue free seasick tablets when required. Hope the seas will be nice and flat on the Queensland coast by then.

Nicki, great advice

Thank you all:)

[Topaz_M]

I would think any snorkelling tour would come with a mandatory float or life vest? Can anyone add to this from their experience?

 

Being as how WH&S concious we are in Qld due to 'incidents' :)

[Sutho]

They supply you with free stinger suits and flotation devices and snorkel masks. You do not have to wear them. I was able to just jump in with my own swimmers and goggles and had better range of movement as I am a strong swimmer. The area is roped off in the water that you can swim in.

 

Compared to places like Barbados and Curacao the Great Barrier Reef was dull, boring and dead with nothing spectacular to see. It had no wow factor and was a waste of a day. I have had much better fun in other places like them. Even in Apia the swimming with fish was much better and taking a submarine dive off Waikiki was much better than what the Barrier Reef provided.

 

I would love for anyone to pay my expenses and personally show me the spectacular things the Barrier Reef supposedly has to offer and I would change my view of it. But in my opinion right now I think it is not worth seeing and would not even recommend it to anyone. I do not even think it deserves National Park or heritage listing status as it was just so lame of a thing to see.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

They supply you with free stinger suits and flotation devices and snorkel masks. You do not have to wear them. I was able to just jump in with my own swimmers and goggles and had better range of movement as I am a strong swimmer. The area is roped off in the water that you can swim in.

 

Compared to places like Barbados and Curacao the Great Barrier Reef was dull, boring and dead with nothing spectacular to see. It had no wow factor and was a waste of a day. I have had much better fun in other places like them. Even in Apia the swimming with fish was much better and taking a submarine dive off Waikiki was much better than what the Barrier Reef provided.

 

I would love for anyone to pay my expenses and personally show me the spectacular things the Barrier Reef supposedly has to offer and I would change my view of it. But in my opinion right now I think it is not worth seeing and would not even recommend it to anyone. I do not even think it deserves National Park or heritage listing status as it was just so lame of a thing to see.

 

 

Oh Dear.....

 

Theres goes a few million dollars of Tourism Australias budget down the drain..

Why do they spend all that money on promotion when the locals rubbish it.

 

Expecting too much perhaps?

 

I thought the GBR was great......and definitely deserves it World Heritage Status.

 

It is a wonder of the World.

 

 

[Sutho]

Oh Dear.....

 

Theres goes a few million dollars of Tourism Australias budget down the drain..

Why do they spend all that money on promotion when the locals rubbish it.

 

Expecting too much perhaps?

 

I thought the GBR was great......and definitely deserves it World Heritage Status.

 

It is a wonder of the World.

 

 

 

But the coral is all dead, dying or is looking like a dump. In the photos I posted above is all I saw. Nothing fance about that and cerainly not the colourful coral and bright fish that they promote in photos.

 

As said I have been to Barbados, Curacao and Apia and even down off Waikiki beach and seen real spectacular coral reefs with bright fish.

 

I was so excited and keen to go to the Barrier Reef for years and then when I finally get there it is a total let down.

 

Mind you I am more than happy to change my opinion if anybody can personally take, escort and show me the best of it I would be happy to change my opinion. I would have to see it for myeslf, buy at the moment I think it is rubbish.

 

Photo above are of dull fish. Here below I am in Apia where we got to feed the fish:

 

 

 

Also submarine of Waikiki:

 

 

 

[GandM-nq]

the Great Barrier Reef was dull, boring and dead with nothing spectacular to see.

 

Talk about generalisations. So the whole barrier reef is 'dull, boring and dead with nothing spectacular to see' ? All 2600 km along it's length, 340,000 + square kilometres all dead dull and boring? Or do you mean the tiny bit you actually went too? (Hardy reef is Whitsundays.)

 

I will go out on a limb and say Cairns/Port Douglas reefs are comparable to anywhere in the world.

[Aussieflyer]

Talk about generalisations. So the whole barrier reef is 'dull, boring and dead with nothing spectacular to see' ? All 2600 km along it's length, 340,000 + square kilometres all dead dull and boring? Or do you mean the tiny bit you actually went too? (Hardy reef is Whitsundays.)

 

I will go out on a limb and say Cairns/Port Douglas reefs are comparable to anywhere in the world.

 

I agree - I have found that the northern reef (Port Douglas) is more spectacular than the southern areas.

Personally I did not like Green Island - the water was murky and there were jellyfish (not stingers) when I was there. The coral was not as good as on the outer reef either.

 

To the OP I am a "rubbish swimmer" as well; I do not like to get my head wet and if at all possible I like to be able to stand up. BUT .. I loved the outer reef and was able to snorkel to on the surface to see the coral and fish. The submersible and glass bottom boats were great and I did have a couple of goes, most people were in the water so there was plenty of room.

[silverrrmine]

I'm with FNQboatie. It's a very big reef and some parts are damaged, obviously, but other parts are amazing. I love the GBR up Cairns way & out off Port Douglas, freaking amazing.

 

I will say I had trouble snorkelling on Green Island though, I was far too uncoordinated to get myself very far off the beach, kept going to stand on baby stingrays under the sand. This is a few years ago, they might not be there now. Took the glass-bottom boat instead, felt very sorry for myself.

[Sutho]

If its better up there near Cairns then I would love to see it and will keep it in mind if I ever do a cruise or trip that far north again.

 

If tourism Australia had any brains they would shut down tourist access to the reef that is dead, dull and boring and allow it to recover and send tourists to the better spots. Having people go to the dull spots only forms negative opinions and sends people home telling everone they know it was not worth it.

 

I love swimming and water sports probably a lot better than most people. Nothing beats swimming in tropical waters.