Our first AU Dive - "The Reef Experience" in Cairns

We finally sorted out a few $ related items and were ready to get back into tourist mode.  As we were lugging around a bunch of diving gear, it made perfect sense to use it at the Great Barrier Reef whilst in Cairns.  As the reef is massive, so too are the businesses related to diving/snorkeling.  We were recommended The Reef Experience and they were truly awesome. https://reefexperience.com.au/

It turned out to be once of the last few Mom and Pop shops in town, something that we really like.  We were up at 6 AM to be checked out into our parked Jucy by our 7 AM pickup.  A fancy leather seat bus picked us and a bunch of others from various hotels in the area.  It was nice to boot around town and see it that way.  Check in and orientation was incredibly fast on the ship.  Before you knew it we were booting along on a pretty fast cat.  During the journey we heard diving reviews, photo reviews and a nice biology presentation.  After a quick scuba review we donned our suits and sat on the back of the boat.  It was kinda weird having someone else take care of BCD/Regs/Tanks and even putting them on for you.  Next thing you know we are down to 13M led by an awesome dive master.  I was recommended much less weight at 5 KG, It was perfect.  I'm still burning through air like crazy, piss me off but that will come with more dives.  After our dive a nice snorkel, a great lunch and another dive after lunch at a new location.  A final snorkel was followed by wine/cheese and photo views.  This was out first dive boat so I suppose the formula is the same on most.  These guys were seriously good, fast and friendly.

Early start

Cool boat

Paperwork at out own table, nice

Briefing

Cairns behing, the reef ahead

Diggin our camera's and stuff.  Bought a floaty and red filter for my GoPro knockoff

Lotsa tanks

Here we go

Cool

 Me

Sun came out, look at the red now

These concrete anchors are permanently there to buoy the boat

Nice to see life growing even on these

Rope up to the back of the boat

Big megabum

Cheeze

Giant Giant clam

Look at all those feet

The boat from a snorkel later

Pro shot with a Canon 70D and a wicked cool housing