August 23, 2014. Great Barrier Reef.

Up early have to catch the bus that will take us to the wharf. Have a three hour trip out to the reef with one stop at Hamilton Island.  Pfizer hours at the reef and then a three hour trip back to the wharf and a bus ride home again.

No whales seen on the way out. Took a absolutely amazing helicopter ride over the reef, one can see just how big it is from up there.   Then it was back to the pontoon and a ride in the semi-submersible around the edge of Hardy Reef.  Next was an very good lunch, followed by fish viewing and just sitting and enjoying the sea and the surroundings.  Then it was time to pack up and head for shore again, this time we did see whales but due to rough seas it was too rocky to stand up and take photos as one would have been bounced around far too much, but whales we did see breaching and flopping about.

Back to the caravan park and laundry to do while Albert made us a light snack for dinner.                 

Up in the air, helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef

Boat for ride out to the reef

Reef from the air

Could not believe just how big it is 

The pontoon and our boat

The reef as seem from the pontoon

Some of the many sailing boats in the harbour at Hamilton Island during racing week.

Would like to take this one out for a sail

Hamilton Island harbour

This is hat we did see but did not get photos of , borrowed from the Queensland tourism page