cairns, day two

February 12, 2026

The day finally arrived when I would snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. This has been my “Anticipation” moment (apologies Carly Simon) since I signed up for the cruise. But I have to confess there was some anxiety mixed in. I’m not a good swimmer. I’ve never gone snorkeling in open water. But like so many other new experiences, this might be my only chance on the GBR.

Our boat took us out to Hastings Reef with about 100 Viking passengers on board. We all had to fill out a brief questionnaire to aid the crew in issuing snorkeling gear and providing extra assistance where needed. Can’t say enough good things about the #downundercruiseanddive crew. All were uniformly pleasant and helpful. Also, they were extremely safety conscious. A lot of “lifeguards” and at least five headcounts from start to finish.

The hardest part for me was trying to put on a head-to-foot wet neoprene onesie. It was equal parts embarrassing and frustrating. Finally I was ready to slip off into the water. After just a few strokes, I was next to the reef and viewing a kaleidoscope of tropical fish. Just like the Cairns Aquarium from the day before but no thick glass wall separation. My lack of snorkeling experience came back to bite me since I had problems with the seal on my facemask and snorkel. One other downside was no way to record my sightings. Fortunately, the ship photographer was on the reef too. I’ll have access to his work later on in the cruise so I can update the blog.

After an awesome buffet lunch, groups were able to take a tour of the reef outside the swimming area in a semi-submersible (or go back on the reef). I did get some pix of the reef but nothing like the snorkeling experience.

Final thoughts: Avoid making the GBR your first snorkeling experience. Unless you’re skilled at underwater photography, take advantage of the photo packages your dive company offers. Choose a reputable dive/snorkeling operator.

Next: Darwin (Crikey…Crocs!)