UNDERWATER photographer Xanthe Rivett loves to spend her weekends catching up with friends for dinner and getting out and about on the water.

I might meet friends at Rusty’s Markets on a Saturday morning and go for a coffee.

Afterwards, I’ll meet up with family and trek into the great natural areas that are so close to us.

This year so far, I have gone to Davies Creek National Park in Mareeba, to Green Island, and Fitzroy Island.

I’ve also gone away to Lakeland on the Cape York Peninsula.

I try to stay out of work as much as possible on weekends but when you work doing something you love, work and weekends blend a little.

I suppose if I go diving and do some underwater photography or filmmaking, that kind of is all part of it.

I love doing landscape photography and going into the bush.

I generally take photographs of landscapes, family and the Reef.

Most of all, I like to use weekends to spend time with my family.

I have two brothers and a sister, but only one brother lives here in Cairns with his wife and three beautiful kids, who I love to bits.

It probably sounds really boring but there’s probably nothing better for me than relaxing on the couch with a nice glass of wine and enjoying some good conversation.

That’s how I like to unwind.

My favourite outfit is my big comfy jumper. It’s a Kathmandu fleece, so I can only wear it if the weather gets cold here.

I’m also a big reader. I read a bit of everything from historical novels right through to the latest and greatest.

My favourite author is Ken Follett, who writes historical fiction and thrillers.

I’m not reading anything at the moment, however, as I’m actually looking for a good book.

My favourite part of the world is definitely the Coral Sea.

It’s absolutely awesome and I never get tired of it. I try to get out there as often as possible.

That’s usually about three or four times a year, sometimes on two- or three-day live-aboard boats, and sometimes on longer expeditions.

I listen to a wide range of music. I like my Missy Higgins and Jack Johnson, who sings folk and rock.

Basically, I love my happy music.

My inspirations are people like Steve Parish (award-winning environmental and wildlife photographer) and Ron and Valerie Taylor (Australian shark and underwater experts, filmmakers and activists).

Probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done is try to track down cobras when I was in Bolivia.

Why? Exactly.

We were also trying to find anacondas.

Yes, we did find some, unfortunately, but luckily we weren’t bitten.

It’s a bit silly, though, to try to find venomous snakes in a country with no antivenom.

I was travelling with friends and was on a tour of the Amazon Basin but it was a guided trip, so presumably the guide knew what he was doing.

My perfect weekend away would be off to Ayr to dive the Yongala, a wreck that is one of the top 10 dives in the world and Australia’s most famous wreck dive.

That’s next on my list to do.

I also love going to Cape Tribulation to go camping.

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