For our experience, Annie and I headed north to Port Douglas where we boarded the Quicksilver V. Our destination was the Quicksilver pontoon on the Agincourt Outer Reef.
We had decided on the Quicksilver experience rather than the Green Island experience. The booking agent described Green Island as the tourist experience for those wanting to sip their cocktail drinks listening to translated description of the Barrier Reef. Quicksilver, on the otherhand, "is the Barrier Reef". It had a good reputation for experiencing the The Reef. Whereas Green Island was 45 minutes away from Cairns, the Quicksilver experience was on a pontoon located on the outer reef 90 minutes away from Port Douglas.
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is located just over an hour drive from Cairns. We arrived early and checked in at the Quicksilver headquater where we received our boarding pass. This was an opportunity to see the marina and also to do some shopping.
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| Port Douglas Marina |
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| Yachts on the marina |
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| Photo by Annie - Departure Times |
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| Photo by Annie - Boarding the Quicksilver |
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| Photo by Annie - Inside the Quicksilver before it was full :) |
Agincourt Reef Ribbon
The night before, I googled "Agincourt Reef" and found this description from DiveGBR.
"Agincourt Reef is at the very outer edge of the Barrier Reef. Here, special reefs known as ‘ribbons’ run parallel to the Continental Shelf. Adjacent to the Coral Sea trench, these ribbon reefs are recognised as the most pristine eco-systems in the reef’s environment. Clear water provides the best possible underwater visibility, encourages rich coral growth and supports spectacular marine life."It was hard not to get excited when the idea of visiting The Great Barrier Reef, on the most prestine eco-system, running parallel Australia's Continental Shelf.
Aboard the Quicksilver V, we were briefed on what to expect on the Pontoon. We received an introductory presentation on the reef, the marine life, the do's and don't from a Marine Biologist. There was a presentation on the activities available, how to choose snorkeling gear, an opportunity to hire wet suits and an underwater camera.
When we finally reached the pontoon, Annie and I headed straight to the snorkelling equipment. Armed with our wet suit and snorkel mask, flippers and underwater camera we headed straight for the water.
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| Quicksilver Pontoon - Agincourt Outer Reef |
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| Jelly fish that kept following me! |
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| Feeding Time |
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| Photographer |
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| Reef |
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| Underneath the surface... |
Although Annie and I did not get to experience all that the pontoon had to offer, we experienced what we came for. Our experience of the Great Barrier Reef is one that we'll be telling anyone who'll listen for a long time to come. Next time I am definitely scuba diving!
For more information, please visit the following sites"
Next is the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation.
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