Today we were excited about our GBR trip out of Port
Douglas. We went down to the lobby to find our transportation and I saw a large
group of people and a guy taking information and I went up to him thinking he
was who I was to check in with. He was quite rude to me and said he wasn’t with
Quicksilver (he was wearing one of their shirts) Then, he said yes he was going
to the reef, but he was leading a group. (Collette Tours). So, we went outside
to wait for the bus and got on after the driver confirmed we were on the right
bus. So, The large group started to board and one lady stops right in front of
us coming up the stairs and says “You’re not on our tour! Someone else always
sits in those seats”. The Quicksilver bus is just the general transportation to
get from Cairns to Port Douglas that Quicksilver snorkel company sends to pick
up various people at different hotels. Sheesh!
It’s a beautiful 1 hour drive up the coast to get there. We
were noticing lots of wind and some white caps on the water and said “well,
this day could suck”. Upon arrival, the Collette Tour guide pushes past
everyone in line to check in for the tour. He was told by the Quicksilver agent
to wait in line with everyone else. He tried to butt in line, but everyone else
said go back to the end of the line. He said to us, sometimes they have a
special desk just for the tour guides and the rest of us need to chill out.
Maybe he needed to take a chill pill himself! I said to Greg I think I’m going
to write a review of Collette Tours and we didn’t even take the tour with them.
Last time we visited Cairns we took the Princess Ship
tour with Reef Magic which goes to a different part of the reef. So, we wanted
to experience a different company and a different reef trip.
Quicksilver takes you to Agincourt Reef, at the very
outer edge of the Barrier Reef. Here, special reefs known as ‘ribbons’ run
parallel to the Continental Shelf. Adjacent to the Coral Sea trench, these
ribbon reefs are recognized as the most pristine eco-systems in the reef’s
environment.
It was a huge unique boat that glided above the waves for
a smooth ride. There were trays of crackers and cookies and refreshments for
the sail out to their platform. Already a step above the tour we did last
time.
Greg walking to the boat
ride out to the platform over the reef
inside the boat
They gave a lot of information about the area and told us
about all the different optional activities there was if you wished to do them.
Snorkeling, submarine and underwater viewing was all included. We had pre-booked
a helicopter ride to see the reef from the air. Once onboard, they had us all
come and get weighed and said they would assign times later in the day.
We got there and our helicopter time was about 20 minutes
after we arrived, so we found seats on the platform for our things and to have
lunch later and went to find where we were to board the small boat to take us
out to the helicopter platform on the water. The boat ride over to there was
rough and choppy because of the wind. We managed to get up onto the platform
and waited for a family to get off the helicopter so we could board. I got to
sit in the front seat next to the pilot and Greg was in a window seat in the
back with the rest of the small group. AMAZING! Greg Go Pro’d the whole thing
and I got some stills. (again, be patient photos will be quite a while.) The 10
minute ride was enough to get the enormity of the reef. The boat ride back was
equally rough and the boat driver said we were lucky to be alive. He didn’t
seem pleased. He really did a great job of helping everyone on and off without
incident.
little boat to take us to the helicopter platform
on the platform
the boat next to the snorkel platform
refueling
I got the front seat
the pilot
from the helicopter
shot through the "chin hole"
the chin hole
all too soon it was over
Then, it was time for the yummy lunch they provided.
After that we got in to snorkel on our own. The day cleared up remarkably and the
sun was out and the wind had decreased. The snorkeling was breath-taking. We
saw a turtle and lots of beautiful corals, clams and fish. The hard part was
getting off the platform since they had ropes out for the people who weren’t
comfortable in the water and they just hung there kicking and it didn’t leave
room to snorkel past them. We were concerned because as we were having lunch
those that had been out already were complaining that there was nothing to see
and the water was cloudy. We got in and yes, the part where those people were
kicking close to the platform was terrible, but in a short way the reef was
there in all its’ glory! Since most everyone was in the lycra stinger suits we
all looked alike and despite neither of us wearing one, we lost each other and
spent a lot of time looking for each other in the water and we both had gone
back to the platform to get back on to look for each other. I spotted Greg in
the water from the platform and motioned I would come back in. So, we finally
headed off together to snorkel until it was time to return back to the platform
and then the boat back to Port Douglas. Awesome day! 
Here is the video that Greg took: Quicksilver
Snorkel Great Barrier Reef
The ride back to the pier:
We boarded the bus and we were told to get on and then sat
there and waited while the tour guide from Collette Tours found his missing
people as he had people on 2 different busses based on which hotels they were
to be returned to. After he swapped a few people to different buses we finally
made the drive back to Cairns. Not sure if this was his first tour to guide
ever or maybe his last….
We got back to the hotel and got showered and we decided
to go to Outback Jacks for steak dinner. It was pretty good, but I’m not a big
fan of food all on one plate. (salad, slaw, steak and potatoes) We then stopped
for Gelato at a different place before going back to the hotel and off to bed
for another early morning tour tomorrow!
inside Outback Jack's
our hotel
view from the window
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