• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About +
    • Press
  • Start Here +
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Travel Blog
  • Destinations +
    • Africa +
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia +
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe +
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America +
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania +
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America +
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Resources +
    • Travel Insurance
  • Work With Us

Go Backpacking

Adventure Travel Blog

Go Backpacking > Destinations > Oceania > Australia > Snorkeling On The Great Barrier Reef

Snorkeling On The Great Barrier Reef

January 30, 2008 By Dave

  • Share
  • Tweet

Coral around Green Island

After saying goodbye to Michael and Ann in Trinity Beach, I was picked up by a shuttle for my 1/2 day snorkeling excursion on the Great Barrier Reef. Michael had suggested Green Island would offer the best conditions based on the prevailing winds so I went with it.

The ride out to the island was about 30 minutes aboard a big catamaran that felt less stable than the Apollo yacht. I hired (ie. rented) a blue, full-bodied stinger suit. Jellyfish weren't tauted as a big threat, however a nasty sunburn would be awaiting me if I didn't take precautions.

My boat arrived earlier than the big (full day) one, so I jumped right into the water left of the pier after suiting up. Actually, I had to pay to lock up my valuables first, and as I had my main backpack with me which was too big for the lockers, I covered it in my towel so it was clearly visible from the water.

The water was very clear, and I saw heaps (that's how Australian's like to say “lots”) of coral and fish (big and small). I had trouble with the mask fitting properly, though eventually realized it was because I had the hood of my stinger suit over my ears. A small adjustment remedied the problem although the “free” equipment was clearly cheap stuff.

Two hours on the island gave me just enough time to spend an hour and a half in the water. As we sped back to the mainland I couldn't help but think I shortchanged myself in this great environment.

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking uses and recommends:

  • G Adventures for small group tours
  • Skyscanner for researching flights
  • Hostelworld for booking hostels
  • Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
  • Rail Europe for train passes
  • World Nomads for travel insurance

  • Share
  • Tweet

Related

Filed Under: Adventures, Australia

About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stu says

    January 30, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    catamarans rock! id be surprised if it wasnt more stable than the maxi. it might bob more but its more stable. shame you didnt have an underwater camera (aka ziplock bag….)… to get some good pics

  2. Stu says

    January 30, 2008 at 8:43 am

    catamarans rock! id be surprised if it wasnt more stable than the maxi. it might bob more but its more stable. shame you didnt have an underwater camera (aka ziplock bag….)… to get some good pics

  3. Kango Suz says

    February 1, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    I’m with Stu. The Great Barrier Reef is defenately on my ‘BIG LIST’ of places to visit. Wish there were pictures, but I guess I’ll have to wait my turn *grin*

  4. Kango Suz says

    February 1, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    I’m with Stu. The Great Barrier Reef is defenately on my ‘BIG LIST’ of places to visit. Wish there were pictures, but I guess I’ll have to wait my turn *grin*

  5. Melvin says

    August 16, 2008 at 10:48 pm

    Hey Dave, great story. I’ve always wanted to go snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef but I just don’t know how to go about planning a trip. Do you have any budget travel tips that you can share with me and your other readers about this? I would be really great if you could do this for me

  6. Melvin says

    August 17, 2008 at 3:48 am

    Hey Dave, great story. I’ve always wanted to go snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef but I just don’t know how to go about planning a trip. Do you have any budget travel tips that you can share with me and your other readers about this? I would be really great if you could do this for me

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Dave and I've been backpacking for 20+ years. We're here to make your next trip your best trip! Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Topics

About | Archive | Travel Resources | Submissions | Work With Us | Contact

© 2021 Go Backpacking · All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy