Water is something I have always loved, I don’t know if it was because I grew up in the bush hundreds of kilometres from the beach. I craved family holidays spending weeks at the seaside just wasting the days away, I think this is when my love of the ocean grew.

Great Barrier Reef

I had never done much snorkelling before and my first real experience was on the Great Barrier Reef. I was in Cairns visiting my sister Lisa who was travelling around oz and she took me out on a day trip to an island where we could explore the reef. Snorkel, fins were on and it wasn’t long before I found some fish and I was yelling out to Lisa with excitement in what I had discovered and her reply was wait until you get over the reef!! Once I finally made it to the reef the coral was exquisite with so many bright colours and plenty of fish.

Sharks concerned me and while I was snorkelling I saw a large black figure swim underneath me, my heart was racing and I started to panic so I lifted my head only to hear a voice say keep your head in the water I am trying to film you. It was just the camera man from the tour!! Feeling slightly embarrassed I continued on my way.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and it comprises of over 3000 individual reef systems and an abundance of marine life. It is no wonder that it is one of Australia’s main tourist attractions.

Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef look me by surprise as I was not expecting it to be that great, I mean I had been on the Great Barrier Reef, how could it compare? In many ways I enjoyed it better as you can just head off the beach and let the current take you over the reef. Within moment of leaving the beach I saw a reef shark swimming past me, there were so many sharks along with turtles and other tropical fish. Not only is the marine life amazing but there are pristine white beaches perfect for relaxing and swimming.

The Whale Sharks are in the area between mid March and mid July and we were staying there right in the middle of whale season. Due to our finances we did not swim with these gentle giants and to this day I am kicking myself for not taking up this opportunity of a life time. Oh well I will just have to head back another time!

Sipadan

Sipadan is located in Borneo and it is a bit of a journey to get there taking several flights and boat trips but it is well worth it. It is known for scuba diving but the snorkelling was amazing. There is a vertical wall which reminds me of the drop off from the movie Finding Nemo. A long deep drop where you can not see the bottom as it was so dark down there. Thankfully we did not have to go to the drop off as lots of colourful tropical fish swim near the surface. I saw my first Barracuda and they are scary looking creatures with their snake like appearance and prominent sharp edged teeth. Thankfully I only saw one Barracuda and I could not swim away fast enough!

We stayed at Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort which is built over water and it was magical but I was concerned about pirates coming through my open bedroom window during the night! It was so relaxing at the resort being surrounded by water and being able to watch the marine life from anywhere in the resort.

What is your favourite snorkelling spot?

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