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The Great Barrier Reef extends some two thousand
kilometres from the tip of Papua New Guinea right down
the coast of Queensland almost as far as Brisbane. It's
actually a congregation of some three thousand reefs and
nearly a thousand islands — the world's biggest marine
park, and such a complex region that areas have still to
be accurately mapped.
Whether you snorkel or dive the experience is
astounding. Fish in bewildering colours float around
you: violent pink, neon green, Nemo orange. Grey
carbuncled shells of giant clams open up to reveal a
flesh of startling beauty, soft mauves dotted with
electric blue and the palest of yellow. Soft pastel
corals of ivory and primrose, lavender and peach,
carpets the seabed. This is Australia’s Great Barrier
Reef — an improbable landscape of improbable creatures.
From Port Douglas marina, there are dozens of cruise
companies offering services to the reef, most including
meals and lectures from marine experts, as well as
snorkelling and scuba equipment. Larger tour companies
also offer small glass-bottom boats that provide a
magnificent glimpse of underwater life without so much
as getting your feet wet. Still, any but the most timid
of swimmers can master the basic skills of snorkelling
and there are few experiences in the world as wonderful
as floating on a scintillating blue sea gazing down at
orange-and white striped clownfish sailing sedately over
a bed of purple sea urchins.
Most Great Barrier Reef cruise boats offer introductory dives that allow you to descend to
shallow depths with a qualified instructor.
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