After an 11 hour bus journey, we eventually arrived at Airlie Beach and boy it was hot! We checked into the hostel and began to wonder around. Airlie has a lovely little beach but the water is full of stingers, so they have created a really nice lagoon right next to the beach!

We then went to the travel agent to check in for our boat trip tomorrow. They informed us that the boat we were originally going on had a malfunction so we had been upgraded for free to the Atlantic Clipper! Em and I had absolutley no problems with that! This boat has a dive board, water slide and a hot tub!! After signing our life away we were given boarding cards and directions to the marina. The excitment began :)

The rest of the day was spent chilling and getting our things ready for the trip. We couldn't take bags that had a zip on it because bed bugs hide in them so had to repack our things into a different bag!

Trip day has arrived! we chilled by the lagoon in the morning and then headed to the marina. After checking in and removing all boxes from our goon boxes, we boarded the large sailing boat. The crew were all male but all very cheerful and full personality! We set off motoring to the first spot in the islands.

This sport was really nice, but we wern't allowed to go snorkelling because to was too merky and there wasn't enough time. But the crew set out the waterslide and diving board so we got dressed up in our stinger suits and went off to play with them. The board was surprisingly high and it was incredibly funny watching some of the guys jumping off the board as there were a fair few face plants and back landings!

Then it was dinner time! BBQ fish and salads - very nice!! while we were eating the boat was motoring through to our overnight moaring which was not far from a 6 star resort on one of the islands! After dinner we chilled out and watched the spotlight in the back of the boat. We saw loads of giant travelly trying to catch their dinner, then a little later a dolphin make an apperance! It was just off the light but slowly it got closer! It was such an amazing sight!

6:30am was our wake up!! :( I felt violated because it was way to early for me!! we had breakfast and then headed out for a snorkel. The water was quite shallow so the reef was close and we could see some amazing types of coral and the guys were throwing fish food into where we were so many different fish all around us! It was amazing!! After a while it got too cold so signalled for the tender to pick us up. Once on the tender the guy realised how far out two people were, he said that tiger sharks are off that point because it gets alot deeper all of a sudden so off we went for a rescue mission :)

Don't worry we managed to get them in time, so there were no shark attacks :D

We went in for lunch while the boat then headed off to Turtle Bay. This bay is a turtle breeding ground but sadly we didnt see any! we were tendered into the bay and headed up the hill inlet where we were stunned by the sheer beauty of the Whitehaven beach. It really was stunning! After taking photos we headed down to the beach where the sand was 98% silica - it was so pure and it doesnt retain heat from the sun so it was lush to walk on!

We walked around part of the beach and it is 7km long! We saw loads of dead or dying crabs which later found out it was because thats what the stingrays feed on! There were 6 stingrays right close to the shore flitering the sand for crabs it was amazing!!

after a few hours of just chilling on the beach enjoying the sun we headed back to the boat ready for dinner. Spaghetti Bolognase which was yummy :) The crew then had the spotlight on again and this time there were 2 dolphins coming right close to the boat and rolling around in the water it was incredible!! we also saw 2 baby reef sharks trying to catch their dinner but they were a bit too slow!

after a few drinks, the crew brought up a fancy dress box, we all got dressed up and then the crew came up dressed a women! Lots of games were played as a knock out round to knight the king or queen of the clipper. Sadly Em and I were knocked out pretty early into the night :( it was good fun watch the others though!

We were allowed a lie in today! so got woken up at 6:50am. After breakfast we had the option to go snorkelling again but it was waaaay too cold so we decided to stay on deck and enjoy the hot tub instead! Once everyone was back on board we headed back to Airlie Beach but we had to kill some time as the tide was too low for it to get into the marina so the crew popped open the sails and we sailed back in. It was class!!

It was a great trip with lots of fun and amazing experiences. For the next 2 days we chilled by the lagoon and saw some goldfish racing as well as live music!

Now for the 15 hour drive to Rainbow Beach!!