DANCING IN THE WATER

Photo of me dancing. Taken by Jacqui Prendergast, Castle Rock.

SILVERSONIC - PORT DOUGLAS

Photo of Turtle Bay on my iphone, Tara Reynolds



It's the month of September and another beautiful day in the Tropical North of Australia... time to get out on the reef! On todays adventure I was heading out to Agincourt & Ribbon Reefs, from Port Douglas on board Silversonic (part of the Quicksilver Group).

The fast cat departs from Port Douglas Marina at 8.30am every day. Check in is prior to that at the Quicksilver Shop in the Marina to collect your boarding pass. The journey takes only 90 minutes allowing for loads of water time out on the reef. The vessel is modern and well kept, spacious interior with upper deck outdoor area. The boat can take up to 90 passengers (however it's licensed to take more. They don't fill it so there is plenty of room as it's a premium product).

Michael Evans Photography 2013

Sonic is very similar to the vessel Poseidon. They both have many different reef sites they can visit and the skipper chooses the best 3 sites for the conditions on the day. No other Outer Reef day trips visit 3 sites in one day aside from Poseidon and Sonic's sister vessel in Cairns, Silverswift! This is a boat for lovers of water, swimming, snorkelling and diving (Introduction and Certified). There is no point going on this boat if you want a short visit to the reef, swim very little or don't swim at all. There are no other options on this day trip to see the reef (like a glass bottom boat tour or semi-submersible boat tour) without getting wet. This is a "get amongst it or go home" kind of option. For me, this is my favourite option for the reef! I love to swim and frolic to my hearts content and can happily snorkel all day long!

The multiple Reef sites available on Sonic.

A quirky photo of mine. Tara Reynolds.

On this day we visited Castle Rock, Kindergarten & Nursery Bommie and Turtle Bay. There was almost 1 hour spent at each site. We were well briefed at each site (with an in-depth snorkel tutorial at the first site) and there was also a Marine Biologist talk on the upper deck held at the second site. You'll be well informed and leave an ambassador for our Great Barrier Reef!



Snaps from the day. Photo's by Tara Reynolds.

Above are some snap shots from the day. The dive deck is the only "wet" area on the boat so all your gear remains here in racks. Snorkelling equipment is included for everyone, even divers (along with a Lycra suit. This is important in jellyfish season from October through to April). During the first snorkel briefing on arrival the divers are already in groups with their dive master (blink and you will miss the certified divers getting in the water!). The Introduction divers are in groups of 4 and enter the water tentatively near the mooring rope so they have something to hang on to while adjusting to the new experience. Some entered the water better than others, some took longer to descend than others however it didn't matter as each dive master was full of encouragement and praise for their pupils. Hat's off to the staff, patient and professional!

Snorkelling at Castle Rock, photo's by Tara Reynolds.

Lunch time! The Quicksilver food is always high quality. Photo's by Tara Reynolds on iphone.

We unfortunately had a little current at most of our sites but visibility remained very good. Agincourt & Ribbon Reefs are beautiful and the perfect place to dive if you have your certification. When I sell these tours and a "Cert" diver is looking for the best day trip to get on I always offer Poseidon or Silversonic. The sites are diverse in coral and fish species and all the sites are unique. On this day the Cert Divers partook in a drift dive, I hadn't seen this on any trip to the reef before! During our relocation from our second site (Kindergarten & Nursery Bommie) to Turtle Bay the boat slowed down and a hand full of divers with a tender craft were safely deposited into the blue and left behind. They dived from that location around the reef wall towards us at Turtle Bay. They got some snaps on the hired Lumix Camera I had... they were fantastic and they had a ball! I am not sure if a drift dive is always on the cards but this is a major win for professional divers! What a great option!!!!

Amazing photo's by Emma & the photographer on the Lumix.

Pretty much... most boats to the Great Barrier Reef are amazing and you have an amazing day. You can pay your hard earned holiday money in faith it will be a great experience. Some boats shine more over others and not everyone will know the difference from site to site. I am lucky I do as I get to visit the beautiful Great Barrier Reef often. In writing this blog I state the facts and give a little on my opinion and thoughts on the product so you can make your mind up if it is the right day trip for you.

In saying that I always love to highlight the good points of the trip. On this day with Silversonic my traveling companions and myself were really impressed by the the staff. Their professionalism, their expertise and the fact they all just oozed with passion for this part of the world does make a difference to your day and experience. The Quicksilver Group maintain a high standard across all of their products and you can rest assured you get what you pay for!

If you're out here in Australia and have one shot to see the Great Barrier Reef in your life and love to snorkel and dive... then this is the boat for you! Thank you Silverseries, Silversonic!!!!

To book this fantabulous day trip contact me or visit...

http://www.reefinfo.com.au

Much thanks to the Photography company on board Silversonic! You can hire camera's on board. I hired a Lumix on this day.

HARD FACTS…

Visit time:

Day trip

Times:

08:30am - 4:30pm (From Port Douglas Marina)

Suitable for: 

• Strong swimmers & keen snorkelers
• Certified divers
• Introduction divers (first time divers)
• People staying in Port Douglas

Fitness level (out of 5):

•  💪 💪 💪

Time of year:

• All year round (Stinger season is from October through to April)
• Lycra suits included for everyone, Wet suits for hire (included with diving)

Price:

• $232.00 + $6.50/Adult levy SNORKEL
• $164.00 + $6.50/Child SNORKEL
• $48.00 additional for your first Certified Dive
• $65.00 additional for your first Introductory Dive

FREE THINGS TO DO IN CAIRNS

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE!

1. LAGOON & BBQ AREA

Fun fact: The Lagoon is the shape of our state, Queensland!

Without spending a cent you can swim and relax for free as long as you want in the Cairns CBD. Close to most Cairns Hostels, this is a perfect way to spend the day as a backpacker who needs to save some dosh! Stop by the large Woolworths supermarket only 2 blocks away to shop for a picnic or BBQ items as there are many free BBQ’s with prep areas around the Lagoon. Take part in a "True Blue" Australian past time! The only other thing you will need to pay for is sunscreen (and food)!

https://www.instagram.com/taz_reinholtz/

Check out my Lagoon shots on my Instagram.

2. ART & EXHIBITIONS

Fun fact: The Centre of Contemporary Art (COCA) has cool Jelly Babies sculptures out the front that make for some wicked selfies!

COCA Cairns is located on Abbot Street. It’s a small gallery with free entry (coin donations can be made) showcasing mainly local and Indigenous art. Sometimes one of the exhibits cost to get in. They have a cool little gift shop where you can buy many unique Cairns made souvenirs or gifts. There’s also a quirky al fresco cafe Paradisio   http://paradisocairns.com.au for some refuelling before heading to the next gallery.

The Regional Art Gallery (again) is a small gallery located in a statuesque building on the corner of Shields and Abbott street. Free entry once more with a possibility of an exhibition you may need to pay for. They also have a quaint little gift shop with unique purchases plus a cafe. 

Known as simply “The Tanks” these converted x5 WW2 oil storage tankers have been converted into concert, event and exhibition spaces. It is located in Edge Hill next to the Botanical Gardens and they regularly have free exhibitions from local artists (if no big events are on). Gold coin donation would be nice :) Travel here by car (10 minutes from Cairns CBD) Bus (small ticket price) or bike (cheap bike hire). Walking takes 45 minutes to an hour for FREE!!!!! http://www.tanksartscentre.com

3. FUN FOR THE FAMILY

Muddy’s playground (named after our famous Cairns mud flats) is free family fun right on the Esplanade. It’s themed on “Life in Trinity Bay” and includes water play (get your children into their swimmers!) flying fox, rope bridge, slides, close toilets, BBQ’s and more. Many Cairns locals hold children’s birthday parties here so get in early if you need a BBQ or table and chairs. Oh… if you do have a few dollars the parents can relax with some caffeine and regain sanity while the children play at the cafe.

The Fig Tree Playground (next to the Cruise Liner Terminal) is also free with slides and… well… it’s pretty much like a fort. What child doesn’t LOVE a fort?!?!

4. BROWSING THE MARKETS

Top Tip: Cheap Massage in the Night markets to ease your weary snorkelling bones!

Rusty’s Fresh produce market (under the Gilligans Backpackers building on Grafton street) is on Fridays, Saturdays and most of Sunday. Yes… predominately fresh local produce and local food stalls (I really love the coffee stall and Hari Krishna stall) where you need to spend some money however most of the stalls have little tasting plates out so you can taste their produce, on the sly! Strolling through here you will pass many locals, this is a real “Cairns” place. Many of us locals get our fresh produce here (we always seek out the local stalls and shop with them, some are importers so be careful!) and our fresh produce comes from the rich volcanic soils of the Atherton Tablelands. 

The Night Market are located on the Esplanade (entry also via Abbott Street) and are a touristy place to shop but free to cruise through and thankfully for the tropics, you can visit these markets in the cool of the night after your visit to the reef in air conditioning! It starts around 5pm until 11pm. Open every night.

5. THE ESPLANADE & FOGARTY PARK

You can always take a walk on the Esplanade for free, and if you’re in the Cairns CBD, the Esplanade is the place! You can power walk the path along the waters edge or use the free exercise equipment (the council calls this their “green gym” along the Esplanade, waters edge) if you feel energetic or join in a game of beach volleyball or take a skate board to the skate complex. OR, if you like a slower pace of life just take a seat and people watch.

There are free fitness sessions in Cairns (yup… FREE!) and it’s under the Cairns Council “Active Living” free fitness classes and are held in awesome locations, like at the Lagoon and Fogarty Park. There is Aqua Zumba at the Lagoon and Zumba fitness at Fogarty Park (for example). Pretty awesome if you want to curb that holiday cheese and wine!  http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/esplanade/whats-on/active-living