Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef Australia

“Floating in the water over coral stacks around 20 feet tall watching a cloud of tiny blue and orange fish darting around my hands, I forget what it took to get here. All I can think of is how mesmerizing this view is, I want to remember it clearly. The sun has been in and out, and when it strikes the water, the fish and the coral are illuminated. Fish are sparks of color on the mossy brown coral.”

“When we arrived at our first snorkeling spot on Opal Reef, the water was rough. In fact, this was the roughest water we’ve ever tried snorkeling. It wasn’t a problem, other than occasionally getting some seawater in the snorkel, but you spit or blow it out and keep going. Interesting, though, that the experience of the people who do the trips makes them say, “No Worries,” when on our own we would not go into such choppy water. Once in the water, I rarely gave it another thought.”

“Our first stop was Paradise Reef. The water was calm and clear and we saw bright blue Tangs (Dory), large rainbow fish and black and white striped fish that Lee referred to as “Newcastle United Fans.” Fat sea cucumbers rested on the ocean floor and the colorful anemones waved their chubby fingers at us. [...] Swimming along the edge of the reef and peering down into the endless blue nothing below it gave me a sense of dread and I quickly paddled away. It’s easy to forget that when you are out in the middle of the ocean you are just a puny human being at the mercy of the incredible forces of nature.”