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DIVING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

One of the most amazing experiences I have had on my travels was diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Two huge reefs, the inner and outer reefs run mainly parallel to the Eastern coastline of Queensland.

I learnt to dive in Egypt and took an advanced course in Thailand. I have also done individual dives in the Caribbean and also Fiji, but nothing beat this particular dive site in Australia.

Many dive sites, particularly on the inner reef around Cairns are hugely disappointing.

The coral is mostly dead and there is little marine life. Further down the coast is Townsville where our 3 day boat trip left. Our dive site was about 100 kilometres offshore called the Yongala wreck. It was sunk in World War Two and has become part of the reef over the years.

I always have a feeling of anticipation and excitement before any dive, especially as I first hit the water, and then begin to descend to 25 metres.

Only once the adrenalin has stopped, my breathing regulated and my ears fully popped, can I begin to appreciate my surroundings.

It is a totally surreal world, very quiet apart from the Darth Vader sounds coming from the breathing equipment. The visibility was really good and the sea temperature was a warm 24 degrees.

It was very hard to see much of the actual boat as it was totally covered in vegetation and sea life. It was such an amazing sight, the vibrant corals, all different colours and textures, housing the smallest organisms and providing the food for marine life at the same time.

Our group neared the wreck and a huge manta ray glided past. It was so close you could see the whiteness of their flat underbelly and even their pink mouth.

Hundreds of fish in shoals surrounded the boat and moved with the sway of the sea currents. My favourites were silver with a yellow stripe down the side. They reflected the sunlight in the water fantastically.

We swam over the deck of the boat and a small turtle was grazing awkwardly on some hard green coral.

Then as we neared the galley of the boat two purple sea snakes swam tangled together. The venom is apparently extremely poisonous but their fangs are situated right at the back of their mouths and find it hard to bite humans.

One of the biggest fish I have seen was a large grouper, really spectacular size and one to give a wide berth of. It had made its home below the stern and waited in the gloomy shadows for food.

Returning to the boat I always look out for that elusive shark, but not disappointed in the least, it was brilliant seeing all that varied marine life.

Part of the excitement of diving is not knowing what you will find. It was a real underwater garden and such a privilege to experience.

It's the sort of thing you would normally see on the tele, being narrated by David Attenborough.

Hopefully its more remote location and depth will help its protection. I really hope it remains special and not over dived as I see three boats speeding towards ours.

by Rebecca Butler