"Look below!" Charles told Amber as the plane they took to Lizard Island were soaring only 180 meters above the diving site of the Great Barrier Reef. The Lizard Island was the island where the famous navigator, James Cook climbed in 1770 to find a way out of the labyrinth of reefs.
As soon as they reached Lizard island, they didn't waste anytime. They equipped themselves and dive into the turquoise chain of Ribbon Reefs. While they were underwater, they could see the mesmerizing beauty of of the reefs. This was the only place where they can see more of the Great Barrier Reefs 1500 fish and 400 coral species than elsewhere. That was because the currents that channel between the ribbon reefs attracted bigger fish population than elsewhere.
Charles brought a camera with him this time. He was busy taking photograph of the pygmy seahorses when suddenly Amber held his hand and pointed far. Charles looked at the direction she pointed and saw a whale. There were also a group of manta rays gliding politely with the current.
As soon as they reached Lizard island, they didn't waste anytime. They equipped themselves and dive into the turquoise chain of Ribbon Reefs. While they were underwater, they could see the mesmerizing beauty of of the reefs. This was the only place where they can see more of the Great Barrier Reefs 1500 fish and 400 coral species than elsewhere. That was because the currents that channel between the ribbon reefs attracted bigger fish population than elsewhere.
Charles brought a camera with him this time. He was busy taking photograph of the pygmy seahorses when suddenly Amber held his hand and pointed far. Charles looked at the direction she pointed and saw a whale. There were also a group of manta rays gliding politely with the current.
After some snapping, they made their way to the Cod Hole. While the were in Cod Hole, Amber and Charles, hand in hand swam together with a group of potato cod. After that, the spend their dive amongst shallow sunlit coral gardens of acropora coral. They didn't venture deeper into the parallel gullies as the sunlit coral gardens were too captivating to be left unexplored.
That night, they went to the Challenger's Bay. Challenger Bay is the home of Baza the barracuda and of many moray eels and clever lionfish, who, are very active at night.
barracuda pic from http://www.mikeball.comSoon, Amber and Charles headed towards Lighthouse Bommie. Lighthouse Bommie is a pinnacle rising from the sand at 30 metres. In the months, of June to August there are more Minke whale sightings and longer encounters than elsewhere in the world. That was the reason why Amber and Charles chose to come on the month of July. There had a great time diving and peeping at the Minke whale. Besides that, they also encounter olive green sea snakes, turtles, schools of bream and large colonies of anemones.
The next morning, they went diving at Pixie Pinnacle where they found harlequin ghost pipefish, leafy scorpion fish and lace scorpion fish. Vertical Gardens is a natural amphitheatre, and home to a herd of large green bump head parrotfish. Amber and Charles were amazed because the fishes made an awesome procession crunching their way through the reef. The feeling of diving at Pixie Pinacle were simply beyond words could describe.
"Hey! Let's go to Clam Beds," Amber asked with a smile.
"Are you sure? There are only clams there," protested Charles in a soft tone.
"Yes! Can we go please?" insisted Amber for the first time.
Charles gave in and they headed for Clam Beds. In Clam Beds, they saw a beautiful shallow coral garden where dozens of giant clams show off their majestic mantles. They too visited Andy’s Postcard, an isolated bommie rising from 80 metres. The witnessed fluorescent purple and orange anthias attracted trevally and barracuda to these photogenic sites.
"Hey! Let's go to Clam Beds," Amber asked with a smile.
"Are you sure? There are only clams there," protested Charles in a soft tone.
"Yes! Can we go please?" insisted Amber for the first time.
Charles gave in and they headed for Clam Beds. In Clam Beds, they saw a beautiful shallow coral garden where dozens of giant clams show off their majestic mantles. They too visited Andy’s Postcard, an isolated bommie rising from 80 metres. The witnessed fluorescent purple and orange anthias attracted trevally and barracuda to these photogenic sites.
leaf scorpion fish pic from http://www.mikeball.comAt Steve’s Bommie, they found lion fish, frog fish and leaf scorpion fish hiding amongst the coral. They also saw fluorescent anthias amass on the reef edge while lined snapper, big eye trevally and barracuda circumnavigate the pinnacle with that scary looking grin on their faces. At Flare Point, they saw cuttle fish for the first time at the beautiful pristine coral gardens.
When it is time to leave, as usual Amber left with a heavy heart. The picturesque scenery of the peaceful reef captured itself in her memory. The beauty of Great Barrier Reef were too perfect and undisputed.
Come back next week for more diving adventure with Amber and Charles.
When it is time to leave, as usual Amber left with a heavy heart. The picturesque scenery of the peaceful reef captured itself in her memory. The beauty of Great Barrier Reef were too perfect and undisputed.
Come back next week for more diving adventure with Amber and Charles.
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