I’ve always dreamt about visiting the world renowned Great Barrier Reef! Who hasn’t? Finally, at 30 years old that dream became a reality. I always knew that some day I would make it to Australia to see all of my dream destinations, but now that I am finally here it hardly feels real. What better way to see the Great Barrier Reef then to see it from a sail boat? Better yet, why not sail out to the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel just off the boat where the coral comes just 1 metre from the surface for the best views of your life? Best of all, why not scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef where you can see ancient one of a kind coral reef, amazingly colourful fish species, and other spectacular marine life, like sea turtles and reef sharks? I saw it all! With the engines turned off and the stunning views all around me, I was left speechless sailing with Ocean Free.

Coral

Ocean Free took me on my first sailing adventure around the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island. Sailing from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef was the perfect sailing trip for me because they board no more than 35 guests, travel to an exclusive reef, and provide personal snorkel and diving tours. The personal touch and high crew to guest ratio of Ocean Free was beyond compare. I couldn’t have asked for a better sailing trip. Ocean Free allowed me to escape the crowds because of their exclusive reef mooring on Pinnacle Reef. Throughout the tour, I was offered morning muffins and tea, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment (including a stinger suit), tropical lunch buffet on the boat, transfers to and from Green Island Beach, afternoon fruit plate and cake, and complimentary wine, cheese, and crackers on the sail back to Cairns. It was the perfect sailing day-trip out to sea.

Reef Shark

Ocean Free provided me ample time to play in the ocean. Never once did I feel rushed or limited in any way while snorkeling or scuba diving. The only down fall was the fact that I didn’t want my scuba diving session to end. I could have stayed down under the water’s surface for an eternity. This was my third time scuba diving and I love it even more now. It wasn’t just the amazing views of the Great Barrier Reef that made me enjoy it, but the freeing feeling of swimming under the sea. When I came up to the surface, one of the scuba instructors who was swimming with me mentioned that I looked so comfortable scuba diving. I truly was and that was the reassurance I needed to realize that I want to get certified. I look forward to getting PADI certified in the near future.

Visiting the one of a kind Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef was incredible. The little tropical island situated 26 kilometres from Cairns is located in the protected Marine Park with one of a kind coral and marine life surrounding the island. I Explored the isolated island in the middle of the sea by walking around the island in the crystal clear shallow waters. It will be a day I will never forget. The rugged shoreline has so much character and beauty that the island will be forever ingrained in my memory. Although I was on a tour with a small group of people I wandered around the island on my own relishing in the fact that I made my dream a reality. I did it. No one else but me. I worked hard to make it to Australia and I don’t ever take that for granted. Visiting Green Island just reminded me once again that there is so much in this world to see and that I’m just touching the surface. It’s inspiring.

Green Island

Green Island

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is one of my favorite days in Australia. From sailing around, snorkeling, scuba diving, and exploring Green Island my heart is happy. Thank you Ocean Free for showing me what the Great Barrier Reef is all about!

On Green Island with my Sail Boat in the Distance