The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms.
We booked our dive excursion with Calypso Reef Cruises for the day. During the tour we would go to three dive locations and spend about 35 minutes diving at each site at no more than 40 ft below the surface. The three dive locations selected for today: Blue Bouy, Sno, and the Wedge.
We booked our dive excursion with Calypso Reef Cruises for the day. During the tour we would go to three dive locations and spend about 35 minutes diving at each site at no more than 40 ft below the surface. The three dive locations selected for today: Blue Bouy, Sno, and the Wedge.
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Ken and Brad were the true novices here as this was their first-ever dive experience. Eric is PADI certified and opted for the beginner dive so we could could dive together as a group. Even though Eric has been on dives before, this was his first dive at the Great Barrier Reef.
Our morning started with a reaonable 8:40am pick up for a 3 minute drive down the street to the Marina. Once aboard we met our certified dive instructor, Ben, who would be keeping an eye on us all day and guiding us through the training and the dives. As the boat headed out into open waters the three of us sat down for a safety and training briefing from our instructor and a short quiz and then eventually we would have a skills test in the water before starting the first dive.
Brad bought a Lumix Digital underwater camera for the trip and Ken and Eric each rented small digital cameras from the tour company while on the boat. The cameras were very compact and mounted on the end of a handle making it easy to hold. The only problem was that they were so small there wasn't a viewfinder so it really was a "point at something" and shoot. If you take enough photos down there something is bound to turn out and luckily we had a difficult time selecting which photos should make the cut for the blog.
First up, before we began our dive we needed to get into our dive uniform which was a tight Lycra wet suit, fins, weights, mask and breathing gear. Even after all that we still look like a happy and eager bunch!
Our morning started with a reaonable 8:40am pick up for a 3 minute drive down the street to the Marina. Once aboard we met our certified dive instructor, Ben, who would be keeping an eye on us all day and guiding us through the training and the dives. As the boat headed out into open waters the three of us sat down for a safety and training briefing from our instructor and a short quiz and then eventually we would have a skills test in the water before starting the first dive.
Brad bought a Lumix Digital underwater camera for the trip and Ken and Eric each rented small digital cameras from the tour company while on the boat. The cameras were very compact and mounted on the end of a handle making it easy to hold. The only problem was that they were so small there wasn't a viewfinder so it really was a "point at something" and shoot. If you take enough photos down there something is bound to turn out and luckily we had a difficult time selecting which photos should make the cut for the blog.
First up, before we began our dive we needed to get into our dive uniform which was a tight Lycra wet suit, fins, weights, mask and breathing gear. Even after all that we still look like a happy and eager bunch!
Once outfitted with our gear, into the water we went to begin the skills test and then start our first dive! It was a strange experience to be under water breathing and after the first dive I was more used to it but there is still that moment of descending below the water line in your gear that you have that little pit in your stomach until you take your first breath under water - and it works! Then you can practice adjusting the buoyancy of the vest so you just stat put under water and can just glide without moving up or down unless you are swimming in that direction.
Below are some pictures and videos from our day down under (the sea). We did see some amazing fish, coral, and even a shark swimming around down there. Enjoy the tour of our day at the Great Barrier Reef!
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