The Whitsundays.

Arrived in Airlie Beach in the pouring rain. We headed for Magnums Hostel as we had been recommended this from a friend. Had also been recommended to get on the Tongarra boat. This turned out to be the cheapest and was meant to be a party boat for the younger crowd. This sounded good and after checking the prices at some of the other tour centres we booked in at Magnums for the night setting sail at 2.30 the next afternoon. We arrived at the Marina and our group was made up mostly of couples. There was 8 Germans, some scandinavians, an English couple and two Irish guys. We met our 1st mate called Dave (Dangerous Dave) and our skipper Eddie (he didnt have a nickname). Dave was as mad as they come and got worse as the trip went on. He said Alright at the end of every sentence and constantly told us that we were "the best". The 1st day just involved sailing to the spot where we would stay for the night. On the way though we did manage to see a pair of turtles mating. It was the least co-ordinated thing I have ever seen. We stayed the 1st night between Hook Island and the largest, Whitsunday Island. It turned out we were not on a party boat though as the couples all started getting ready for bed after dinner. Mike and I sat up with the Irish guys (shock) and Dave and the skipper having some beers at the back of the boat. 2nd day we headed for Whitehaven Beach which has the whitest sand and the most aqua waters anywhere. Well thats what it has on a sunny day. Despite the overcast weather it still looked incredible and we got to dress up in our stinger suits and play in the sea. After the beach we headed to our first snorkel spot. It was pretty cool with some big fish. Visibility wasn't great and it wasn't as impressive as the reef up at Cairns but still stunning. We dropped anchor near Hayman Island which is where the rich and famous go for their holidays. Got to see a couple of White Bellied Sea Eagles up close when Dave threw some meat in the air for them. That was cool. We made more of a night of it on the 2nd night and got the cards out to play some vicious drinking games. Learnt a couple of new ones which I will bring home with me as they are class. 3rd Day we headed to another snorkel point which was slightly better. The corals had formed tunnels and passageways which you could swim through and the fish were so curious that some times you could touch them. Back on the boat for the journey home. The islands are all incredibly beautiful. Some look a lot like home with the mountainside (they are mountains that have been covered by the sea) covered with fir trees and the sea looking like a great, aqua coloured loch lapping at the shore. I had a great time even if some of the group weren't the most fun. Saw some gorgeous beaches and had a great time swimming amongst the fish and the coral. Would recommend it to everyone. Just try and get on a boat with a good group.