So after arriving in Airlie beach just in time for my 6pm check-in deadline, I was told my Whitsundays boat was cancelled. What! This cyclone was still hanging about so they decided a 14 man boat wouldn’t cut it. Bit gutted as this small boat was meant to be good for mucking in and helping sail it.

Every cloud has a silver lining though. I was told id been upgraded to the Whitsundays Magic. Only the biggest boat that sails the Whitsundays! Touch. The woman kept banging on about how good the food was and how much of a deluxe boat it was. So I picked up a brochure and she was right! It seems id somehow bagged myself a 250 dollar upgrade. Hoorah for cloud cover and the odd spot of rain (I was sunburnt anyway!)
Feeling rather chuffed it was off to the boozers and clubs of Airlie Beach with the rest of the coach for the night. Had a kangaroo dinner too. Yum yum.

got on the boat and met the rest of the group. Absolute quality bunch of people, we all got on really well and ive got plans to meet up with some of them when were all back in the UK. We didn’t leave the mariner till 4pm so we literally sailed out to the islands, anchored up for dinner and chilled for the night.

Next day was a snorkeling and scuba diving extravaganza! After brekky we sailed to Blue Pearl Bay (on Hayman Island) and enjoyed some snorkeling action. Again I well enjoyed chilling and swimming with the fish and the reef.

It wsa then time for my scuba dive! I’d pre-booked it and after the professionals had had their dive (the certified crew) it was time for the novices (me and 2 others!). Our instructor was Thierry, a mad Frenchman. He was well cool though. Had the safety chat, then popped under the water to go through the signals and practice breathing without the regulator. It was then playtinme!

We were underwater for around 35 minutes, looking at one of the most beautiful and natural things in the world. The different types of fish, in and out of all the little coves of the coral was so good to see up close. Its one thing to snorkel it and see, but to be right in amongst it, 9.5 meters down was unbelievable. Thierry also took some fish food in a bottle and was squirting it about. Bundle!

The afternoon was spent snorkeling in another area. This was to be the night of the best steak ever! Seriously ive had some good ones but this was the bomb! No wonder the the woman kept banging on about it. Followed up with sticky toffee and ice cream. Ding dong.

The next day didn’t include any snorkeling, instead we sailed around a bit after helping get the bad boy sails out to play. We stopped off on dry land at Hill Inlet lookout and went and had a kickabout on Whitehaven beach.

Before we headed back to the Mariner to conclude our trip, we had one last morning of snorkeling, where its fair to say I had mixed fortunes!

Started off swimming around only to be joined by a big turtle swimming and going about his daily routine. Definitely one of the best things ive ever seen in my life. Got so close to him, even managed to touch his hard slimy shell/home!

after swimming around with my new friend for about 5 mins, it was here where my fortunes changed. Another creature, a jellyfish, was clearly jealous and decided to sting me. On the face. I said a few words I cant put on here and returned to the boat. I declined the option of wee and went for the white vinegar instead. Im still here so that jellyfish was rubbish!

Our itinerary whilst on the boat (more for my benefit rather than yours!):

Day 1 - Overnight @ Stonehaven (Hook Island)
Day 2 - Scuba Diving @ Blue Pearly Bay (Hayman Island)
Day 2 - Snorkelling @ Black Island
Day 2 - Overnight @ Malona Inlet (Hook Island)
Day 3 - Hill Inlet Lookout
Day 3 - Whitehaven Beach (Whitsunday Island)
Day 3 - Overnight @ Nara Inlet
Day 4 - Snorkelling @ Caves Cove (Hook Island)

Back to the mariner at lunchtime it was where we all caught up on the washing before getting rather battered in Airlie Beach.

Lots of Love
X (x x x x x)