How does 3 days living on a boat, diving on the biggest reef system and one of the most
beautiful places on Earth sound?
Let me tell you…
I joined Reef Encounter for a 3-day 2-night diving liveaboard in July 2022. What is a liveaboard you ask? Also known as a dive charter, liveaboards are purpose-built boats or adapted vessels made for the sole purpose of diving trips that are longer than 1 night. Liveaboards accommodate up to 30 divers at a time, providing them with comfortable accommodation and all meals. The diving deck is comfortable, with plenty of room for all divers and their kit. Typically, liveaboards last 7 nights but you can find trips that are shorter and longer (like mine).
Sunday 3rd July
It was an early start for a Sunday morning, but I was so excited I didn’t really care. I was picked up from my hostel and taken to the marina. I walked along the pontoon to the day boat and checked in. The day boat departed, and we sailed for around an hour to Saxon Reef where those of us stayed multiple nights transferred over to the liveaboard, Reef Encounter. After our welcome meeting on board, we were taken to our rooms and left to settle in. We were kitted out with our dive/snorkel equipment and told we could snorkel for the first water session on board (there were 6 water sessions in total per day, we could do a maximum for 4 water sessions per day).
I jumped in for a snorkel, it was quite rough in the water. Trying to fight the waves out to the reef was exhausting and not very enjoyable. If you know me you know how much I love the water. This had to be my record for shortest snorkel of my life, I think I lasted around 30 minutes and most of that was trying not to drown. Despite the disappointing snorkel, I was excited to go diving after lunch.
Dive #99
Location: Twin Peaks, Saxon Reef, GBR
Max. depth: 15 metres
We started with a dive brief from one of the Dive Master Trainees (DMT) and then we donned our kit ready to get in the water. When we were ready, we jumped in. The water on the surface was so different to that below the surface. It was so peaceful, so tranquil. As we swam along, we saw various reef fish, lionfish, so many sea cucumbers and of course, the wonderful reef and its beautiful coral.
After this dive, the boat relocated to Norman Reef for the rest of the day, and we would stay anchored there overnight.
Dive #100
Location: Shark Mountain, Norman Reef, GBR
Max. depth: 15.8 metres
This is a special dive. If you are a diver, you know that your 100th dive is a milestone and you make a big deal about it. Most people usually do the dive naked, I did not. I did however request photos of me and to see sharks. I was not disappointed. We surface swam from the boat to the top of shark mountain, a quick check to make sure everyone was OK before descending to the seabed. Waiting for us on the seabed was a Whitetip Reef Shark, schools of various reef fish and a teeny nudibranch. It was a great dive and I was happy that it was my 100th dive.
After my 100th dive, I decided to chill out for the evening instead of doing a night dive. I don’t mind night dives but they aren’t my favourite, so I usually don’t do them. I attempted to read a book while most were out for a dive. All of sudden there was all this commotion on deck and we heard the emergency diver recall. 2 missing divers. Their buddies had returned to the boat and said they didn’t know where they had gone. It felt like time had stood still as the recall sounded, eventually, everyone was back on board and accounted for. The 2 missing divers had just gone off with a different group thinking it was their buddies. A few annoyed people but everyone was safe and on board. We couldn’t praise the crew enough for their quick but calm response to the situation. We all had a delicious dinner before retiring for the evening.
Monday 4th July
Early morning wake-up call for those that wanted to do an early dive. I had a bit of a lie in before having a fat, yummy, breakfast. The liveaboard moved to a different site while we had breakfast. The day boat moored up alongside us. Some passengers were leaving the liveaboard and new passengers were boarding. It was time to get ready for today’s dives.
Dive #101
Location: Fingers, Norman Reef, GBR
Max. Depth: 17 metres
Descending the mooring line, we started swimming along the reef. We were heading for 2 tunnels in the reef. We got to the first tunnel and dropped down between the reef to swim through it. I was at the back of the group. I wondered why everyone kept stopping until I realised what was in front of us. A huge Green Sea Turtle was chilling on the other side of the tunnel. We slowly swam above her (after taking plenty of photos of course) and off to the second tunnel. We swam through the second tunnel before swimming along the reef back to the boat. We saw 2 more turtles, a Whitetip Reef Shark, anemone and its anemonefish, clownfish (yes, I found Nemo!) and sea cucumbers.
Everyone was back onboard post-dive. Over the PA system, we heard the captain declare “all crew on deck immediately”, we were all puzzled as the crew rushed out. The captain told us there had been an incident and all diving activities were suspended until further notice. The tender was launched and picked up the casualty. They transported her on board the liveaboard. A helicopter was on its way (our boat had a helipad for these kind of emergencies). We were all pretty anxious for news on the casualty. We heard the helicopter approach and some of us watched it out the window.
The boat should have moved at lunchtime, but the captain decided it was best for us to stay where we were after the incident. After another lovely lunch, those that were transferring off the liveaboard disembarked and we were allowed to go diving again.
Dive #102
Location: Fingers, Norman Reef, GBR
Max. Depth: 12.5 metres
We jumped in the water and descended down to the reef (different area to the previous dive). We saw so many reef fish, anemones, giant clams, nudibranchs, flatworms, trumpetfish, and so many turtles! They were on every bommie (a section of reef) we swam passed. The coral was beautiful and colourful. Such an enjoyable, relaxed dive. I think this was my favourite dive on the GBR.
Dive #103
Location: Fingers, Norman Reef, GBR
Max. Depth: 14 metres
Another area of reef to explore and another beautiful dive. Again, we were super lucky to see more turtles (one swam close to us and then to the surface just as we were descending). We also saw lots of sea cucumbers, reef fish, clams and swam through 2 tunnels in the reef. The reef was beautiful.
After 2 back-to-back incredible dives, it was time for a shower and dinner. I spent the evening chatting with other passengers, hearing people's stories and sharing what I've been doing throughout my time so far in Australia. It was then time for bed.
Tuesday 5th July
Another early morning dive wake-up call for those that wanted it. I got up not long after the wake-up call to pack the rest of my stuff as it was my day to leave. The liveaboard moved to a different site while we had another lovely breakfast. The day boat moored up alongside us. After breakfast, those that were checking out, collected their belongings and checked out but there was still time for one last dive before leaving.
Dive #104
Location: Twin Peaks, Saxon Reef, GBR
Max. Depth: 17.7 metres
My final dive was just as good as the rest of my dives. We saw lionfish, nemo, anemones, giant clams, barracuda, and a juvenile sweetlips which was swimming between coral. This was my deepest dive on the GBR and was so relaxing.
After the dive, I got the rest of my stuff together, had a shower and got ready for lunch. After lunch, it was time to say goodbye and thank you to the incredible crew who went above and beyond throughout. Those of us leaving transferred to the tender which took us to the day boat. It was a bumpy trip back to Cairns (the area is called the washing machine and I realised why). Back on dry land, it was time to get back to my hostel and catch up with my friends. This was officially the last thing booked on my East Coast trip and it could not have been a more fantastic ending to an incredible trip. It was exhausting but SO worth it!
I highly recommend the Reef Encounter team and liveaboard. The crew were fantastic, super helpful and friendly. The dive team were awesome. This was my first experience of a liveaboard and it was incredible, I’d 100% do it again and I’d stay for longer. If you would like to have your own adventure on the Great Barrier Reef, visit https://reefencounter.com.au and book now!
Thanks for reading!
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