Reef Magic ...

My final full day in Queensland was highlighted by a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is actually several thousand reefs that stretch out over an area half the size of Texas. There are several tour companies that will take you out and a multitude of ways to see the reef once you’re there.


The outfit I had chosen, Reef Magic Tours, had a catamaran that took us out to their private pontoon anchored next to Larson Reef. It was a large boat with a capacity of perhaps 300, but today there were only about sixty on board. Once there, you could visit an underwater viewing area, ride in their semi-submersible, snorkel on your own or sign up for helicopter rides, introductory snorkel or scuba diving, or join in a snorkel safari.

I was first in the water and within minutes was getting bumped by others. I turned to see what knucklehead snorkeler couldn’t share the Pacific Ocean and discovered it wasn’t another person, but a rather large fish. And she liked me. I’d push her away and she’d come back. I’d push her away again and she’d come back again. I finally swam to a shallower area and Roxy (I learned her name later) went back to the deeper waters and left me alone.


The reefs are everything you’ve heard and everything you’d dream. There were dozens of different varieties of tropical fish and just as many different types and colors of coral. There was a giant clam a meter long – something you’d expect to see in Disneyland, but this was very real. And there was a giant grouper-like fish called Wally.

My one disappointment was that it was so, so touristy. Bring cash or a credit card they’d said and they meant it. We recommend stinger suits for a small fee. A snorkel safari guided by a marine biologist was a bit more. Introductory scuba diving was even more. Helicopter rides; bring your plastic. And everything was, for your convenience, photographed. I was photographed getting on the boat, photographed snorkeling and photographed boarding the snorkel safari boat. The pictures were all on display and ready for purchase on the way home. Pictures with Wally were the hot ticket.


The reef experience was nice. And I’d do it again. But it was not my favorite part of Queensland. My favorite was the Daintree River cruise and Fat Albert. Seeing a croc the size of my little rental car was unexpected and thrilling. Seeing the reef was Disney-like and predictable. There’s a place for predictable. But there’s nothing like a thrill.


Now … where’s New Zealand?