First-time experiences do not always have to be an ordeal

As we approach the sleek new $5 million Reef Magic II catamaran for what I’m promised will be an unforgettable day on the water, a cocktail of nerves and excitement erupts in my stomach and bubbles in effervescent waves.

I’m excited because I get to spend an entire day out on this illustrious new boat, exploring the magnificent wonder of nature that is the Great Barrier Reef.

I’m nervous because I have decided, for the first time, to venture deep under the water’s surface to make the most of this amazing adventure.

As we step aboard. My partner comments that there must be 20 staff on this vessel and we later discover he wasn’t far off. There is, in fact, a ratio of one staff member to every 11 passengers.

Finding a comfy spot to park and unload our possessions is easy. While capped at 190 passengers, the new vessel is designed to seat up to 300, ensuring plenty of room to spread out and relax.

For a while my butterflies lay dormant and I’m distracted as I explore the boat. It’s not until one of the dive crew approaches me about my planned dive that they return.

This will be my first scuba diving experience ever, but I must admit, I’m feeling comforted by the instructor’s diligence as he drills me about every ailment I’ve ever had with all the vigour of the Spanish Inquisition.

He then asks if I’m ok with water to which I reply, almost pleadingly: “Not really”, secretly hoping my answer might trigger some drastic response like: “I’m afraid we’ll have to cancel your dive”.

Apparently not, they get this all the time. It turns out we’ll have a five-minute test run to see how things go.

The 90-minute trip to our Outer Reef location seems over in an instant. Then again, we are zooming along at impressive speeds of up to 27 knots an hour.

It’s a surreal sight, this purpose-built floating station we’re approaching, like an oasis in the desert, only in this case it’s a safe haven of dryness among the seemingly endless wet.

I feel secure knowing I’ll be launching into my maiden dive from its platform. It’s called Marine World and it’s where all the real fun begins.

Straight up, we’re asked to prepare for our dive. As I fiddle with my goggles one of the instructors hooks me up to my tank and straps on my weighted belt.

Sheepishly, I admit that I may have been holding my stomach in, but no harm done, they relieve the pressure and off we slide down to the shallow platform.

We go through the motions of breathing underwater and discuss how we’ll attack our descent. Suddenly I realise I might not be cut out for this and signal my return to the surface.

My half-hearted attempt at escape, however, is thwarted and I’m assured I’m doing fine. We link arms and we’re off.

As my breathing begins to settle and I realise that this is not only easy but unbelievably awesome, I start to take in the spectacle of this underwater paradise.

Around every corner I discover something bigger, more vibrant than the stretch before and marvel at colourful coral and creatures that I have only ever seen in photos.

It seems an eternity before we make our way back to the surface.

Upon our ascent we are lucky to bump into a true local – Wally the Maori Wrasse who is a regular at the exclusive Reef Magic site. Wally gazes at our group thoughtfully and brushes by for a pat before wandering off.

We emerge back on to the shallow launch pad and burst out of the water, spluttering in absolute incredulity.

With no time to waste we lose our tanks and head straight for the buffet. To our relief, there’s no queue as many are still snorkelling.

Others are out in the semi-submersible or off on an amazing helicopter tour while the next group of first-time divers suit up. We don’t spend long sitting down, there’s too much to do.

We check out the underwater observatory and then it’s off again for our second dive so we can be back in time to take a marine tour with the onboard biologist.

It’s called the Adventure Marine Snorkel Safari and requires a short boat ride to get to the jumping off point.

We each step off the boat in turn and bobble about as our guide explains the journey before us. We set off, stopping sporadically so she can brief us on the variety of marine life below.

It takes a good hour to make our way back to the platform and though exhausted from our travels we’re disappointed that the day is nearly over.

We have just enough time to change before being called back to reality and on to our catamaran for the relaxing trip home.

The ride back for me is an entirely different experience. I feel like I’ve lived a thousand lives since the morning.

I’m a different person. Once a hyperventilating nervous wreck at the thought of an offshore snorkel, I’m now an initiated diver and have travelled further and wider in one afternoon of swimming than all my years of snorkelling combined.

I settle into a booth on the upper level, armed with a warm coffee and plate of crackers and cheese.

Staring out to the window I notice a few groups have somehow found time to make friends while flapping about the Reef. Others lay silent, flaked out on the deck, soaking up the last of the afternoon sun.

Me, I’m alive with exhilaration and experiencing an unbelievable sense of Reef-inspired euphoria as I plot my not-too-distant return.

I’m told this is a natural reaction for first-timers aboard the Reef Magic adventure and I’m happy not to disappoint.

WHAT: Reef Magic Cruises Marine World adventure aboard the new Reef Magic II.
WHERE & WHEN: Departs Cairns at the Reef Fleet Terminal at 9am and cruises to an exclusive outer Reef location complete with purpose-built Marine World activity platform. Returns to shore at 5.15pm.
COST: For a basic cruise cost is $165 adults and $85 children. Extras include guided marine snorkel tours $30 adults, $20 children; adventure marine snorkel safaris $35 adults, $25 children; introductory scuba dives $80 a person and $50 for the second dive. Certified diving costs $80 a person and includes two dives and a guide. Wetsuit and Lycra suit hire costs $6.
DETAILS: To book call Reef Magic on 4031 1588 or email res@reefmagiccruises.com

Click here to book Cairns Reef Tours or for more things to do in Cairns.

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