Snorkeling on the Agincourt Reef

We almost didn't make it out to the Great Barrier Reef this year.  When I rang up a couple of days prior to our trip to make reservations for a snorkeling tour, our resort host in Port Douglas informed us that the town was chock-a-block with visitors, and that most tours were already fully booked.  She promised to see what she could do, and most happily she did find eight spots for us with a company named Poseidon.  She assured us that our group of eight would have a wonderful experience with them.  Her promise turned out to be if anything an understatement.

Here is Katie with my parents, before the sea sickness set in.  We know now to always medicate her at least an hour prior to pulling away from shore on an ocean-going vessel.  Thankfully she recovered enough to enjoy the second and third snorkeling sites.

April falls at the tail end of stinger season, but the lovely lycra suits are still recommended as a protective measure.  We have heard enough tales of the terrors of stingers to not protest a bit over the suits.

James had an extra layer of bouyancy and warmth over his stinger suit.

The dedicated staff worked extremely hard to ennable all swimmers, from the very youngest to the oldest, to have the best snorkeling experience possible.  In the photo below, one of them is about to gently lower Sophie into the water by holding the ends of her pool noodle.  My parents are seated on the steps to the right of Sophie. 

I included information about the Agincourt Reef in my post from last year.

Sophie had a wonderful time paddling around.  She especially enjoyed the dozens and dozens of brightly colored fish.  I discovered how difficult it is to take underwater photos of moving creatures, all the while swimming myself and keeping track of either Sophie or James. 

Cameron probably had the best experience of all of us.  Free from any sea sickness, free to roam where he liked, and with the ability to duck dive (demonstrated in the three pictures below), he took full advantage of every experience available.  By the end of the day the marine scientist divers knew his name and were pointing out various plant and animal life to him, or bringing him specimens to touch and handle.

At our second site of the day, I had a turn taking James, so left the camera on the boat.  The third spot was by far the most spectacular.  The pictures of course only show a fraction of what we enjoyed, but I include them nonetheless.

A giant clam:

Sophie and I took a guided tour with Danny, and in this photo you can see him helping Sophie swim down the anchor rope.

We encountered a few sharks, much to the delight of James and Cameron.

We ended the day with a swim in the pool, and prawns and barramundi for dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday.  I do believe it is one that she will never forget.

Comments

[Amy Smith]

What a breathtaking experience for the entire family! ;) I can just picture Cameron's enthusiasm for all that he discovered. He is such a naturalist. Tell your mom Happy Birthday from the Virginia Smiths!

[Christie]

Amy, I have passed on your message to my mom. I thought of you when I was enjoying Cameron's enthusiasm for all he saw and experienced. A marine biologist who leads scuba diving tours in the Great Barrier Reef is now what he wants to be when he grows up!

[Shanda Ives]

Oh this is just wonderful! What a special experience for you all! I love the pictures.