Our journey follows the rainforest which extends along the Coral sea to Airlie Beach, it is here where we depart for our long anticipated tour of the Whitsunday Islands. Before we board the boys stock up on sick seaness tablets (what girls!) and we make our way to the marina for pre boarding poses by the yachts.

Our boat is called Wings and before we board we are introducted to our crew, one of the dive instructors was from Loughborough so we were soon labled as TEAM NOTTINGHAM.

Our few days sailing the Whitsunday Islands is by far a highlight of my trip so far. It was just beautiful, I cannot put into words the scenery and time we had there as it was all just so perfect. We had a great boat & crew, great weather, great company and most importantly picture perfect views.

My favourite part of the trip was our visit to Whitehaven beach. Without a doubt this is by far the most beautiful beach I will ever go to. I didn't want to leave. The powder white sand was soft and cool, the sky bright blue, the sea couldn't get any clearer, and the rainforest gave the finishes touches as it borders the sand. It was just perfect. From the look out of Whithaven Bay we saw the beach as the tide was out, the swirly pattern of the sands against the pale blue waters is just jaw dropping. Ive never seen anything like it. Its a must see spot.

I've made it pretty clear that Im afriad of the ocean and everything in it. Our boat stopped in many locations where passengers were given the option of snorkelling or scuba diving. Im so disappointed in myself and my fear of the sea that I didn't go in, Ive travelled to the other side of the world and Im sailing around the great barrier reef but I still can't face my fears, what a let down. However its not that bad, the sea was so clear i could see everything anyway and I didn't even have to get my hair wet, whos winning now?!

Each bay that we drop anchor in we were given a quick brief about which sealife we were likely to see, after this there was no way I was going in. I would never be able to tell the difference between a reef shark and a great white therefore hell no am I getting in. The sea life is obviously in abundance here and you can see fish of every shape, size and colour, even turtles, sharks, mantarays, jelly fish, and dugons. When all the passengers apart from me put on a wetsuit the crew do there best at convincing me nothing down there will hurt me. I don't trust anyone, a great white shark can go where ever the hell he wants, just because a visit to Tongue bay isn't usually in his diary doesnt mean it might not be today. I stick to the safety of the deck and do what I do best, catch rays. After everyone jumps back on board telling me what they saw I do feel slightly disappointed so next time they go out Jake one of the dive instructors takes me out on a little boat. I see everything from here, the water is so clear I can see almost everything the snorklers can including coral. I take a snorkel mask and what not and dip my head in whilst Jake makes sure I don't fall off the boat, and I see loooads of brightly coloured fish. We find Tom and start launching bread at him in an attempt to get all the fish to get him! It works (hehe) however this backfires and as im dipping my head in a fish slaps me on the forehead with excitement at our bread feeding. Next thing I know im being forced into a wetsuit with the promise that Jake won't leave my side in the boat. Im quite embarrassed as i'm a panicing mess because I can't control my breathing. I've had enough, I tried it and I still didn't like it so im heaved back onto the boat, I elegantly forward roll into a clump on the floor of the boat. He takes me for a spin and we see about 12 Giant Rass fish, they are about 30kg and are recognised by there huge puckering lips. He takes me over to Tom and the other boys and explains that I didn't stay in the water very long, Tom gives consent to throw me off the boat and as Im peacefullly dipping my head in the water having a gander at the fishies my legs are picked up behind me and Im thrown overboard. Uncool. Me and Jake are over, the trust is gone!

I keep my feet firmly on the boat for the rest of the trip and from deck I see some pretty cool things like TURTLES! Even the snorklers didn't see these because as soon as one is spotted and 20 humans start swimming towards it the poor thing scarpers. So whos laughing now?

I wish we could do this trip all over again, we had the best time and I will remember our experience here forever.