Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Day 1 March 4, 2007

Early morning bus ride from Cairns to Port Douglas showed us a panorama of the coastal mountains. Taking the fast ride on the 8:30 am Silver Sonic catamaran, it took 1 ½ hours to reach Agincourt Ribbon Reefs. This site is 35 kilometers offshore from Cape Tribulation. We visited three different sites on this outer most reef on the edge of the continental shelf. We squeezed into our wetsuits, mask, snorkels, and fins as the vessel moored by the stern in the lee of the reef. Climbing down the stern steps, we splashed into the turquoise water. Coral appeared brownie green and the sand was the same greenish blue as the water.
Jim and I swam out together to the right to a coral pinnacle where we immediately entered another world. We saw many species of fish of all sizes and colors flitting among the vast array of coral. Fans, plaits, staghorn and brain corals in an endless variety of colors amazed us. Big purple and greens parrot fish nibbled on the algae growing on the coral while small yellow and blue striped little cleaner wrasses removed parasites off other larger fish. Schools of emerald green tiny fish enveloped us. About 50 yards from the boat I felt safe, but mindful that really swimming in the Pacific Ocean.