Pristine seas: The Seastar stops on Michaelmas Cay for snorkeling instruction. Image supplied by Seastar.

Explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

There are experiences in life you never forget and one is when you explore the Great Barrier Reef. So it was with great excitement and sense of occasion that my friend and I arrived at the Marlin Marina early one morning to board Seastar to take us on our day to remember.

“The big little family company” is how Bernadette (Bernie) Edwards describes Seastar, the locally-owned boat on which all her family work.

Peter, her husband, is the skipper and her two sons are also involved – Damian is a diving instructor and Duane has designed the boat’s website. And indeed, the boat has a great family feel. Bernie greeted us once we stepped on board and then it was time for some home-made muffins and a warm cuppa.

We left the marina at a speedy 24 knots, which is not so fast you’re holding on for dear life, but fast enough to have the pleasure of passing by other boats. And we did enjoy waving at those boats in the knowledge we were going to be at the Great Barrier Reef long before them.

On deck we caught the early morning sunshine and chatted to the crew before reaching our first stop on the adventure, Michaelmas Cay. It was clear we were the first visitors of the day.

The white sands topped with grass tufts were filled with many birds and their swoops and squawks filled the air around their nesting sanctuary.

Once on shore, we donned fins and masks and followed our snorkel guide into the water. We lost all sense of time in this magical world.

Beneath us clams closed and opened graciously, a large turtle swam idly by and countless fish of exquisite colour filled our vision. And because we had been given a chart to wear around our wrists, it was easy to identify each fish.

Back on board and hungry from our efforts, we dug into a delicious hot and cold buffet lunch, with home-made lasagne, prawns, salads and fresh fruit, followed by cake. Still ahead of the posse, we left Michaelmas Cay just as other boats were arriving and zipped to Hastings Reef.

This is where we had decided to do our first dive. We were a little daunted at the prospect of donning the equipment and worried about how we’d breathe underwater, but once the crew explained everything and we had some practice at the back of the boat, we were instilled with confidence.

Underwater, we forgot we were ever afraid, so absorbed were we in the cliff of coral that houses an abundance of life. 

The highlights were spotting a moray eel and the famous giant blue Maori wrasse named Wally.

On the return journey, everyone was bubbling with excitement as they shared what they had seen.

All divers received a certificate of their dives that day, which we will treasure, although mementos are not needed when it’s a day we will never forget.

FACT FINDER

PRICE : Adult $155, children (four to 12 years) $100, introductory dive and cruise $240, additional dives $45, certified dive and cruise $220, two dives $265, three dives $285 (must have certified diver card). 
PRICE INCLUDES: The standard price for adults and children also includes:

* Glass bottom boat tour
* Morning/afternoon tea
* Hot and cold buffet lunch with prawns
* Guided snorkel tour
* Snorkel equipment and instruction
* Buoyancy vest, floatation device, wetsuit, lycra suit, optical mask
* Dive guides for certified divers

EXTRA FEES: Reef tax and port fees $10, transfers $10 from Cairns and $20 from beaches.

WHEN: Seastar boards at Pier E1 at Marlin Marina Cairns daily at 7.45am and returns about 4.30pm.