[Cairns Sightseeing Part 2] I joined a Great Barrier Reef tour with Great Adventures
During my working holiday in Australia, I decided to visit Cairns because I wanted to see at least the World Heritage sites.
On this 4-day, 3-night trip, after visiting Kuranda Village, I headed to the Great Barrier Reef.
Booking a tour with Great Adventures
First, the things I wanted to do at the Great Barrier Reef were:
Go to Green Island
Snorkeling (just a little is fine)
See the coral reefs up close
Since those were my goals, I looked for a tour that offered all of them.
I found this tour and signed up immediately.
It is a plan that costs approximately 30,000 yen.
There are also plans for just Green Island or just the Great Barrier Reef, so decide based on what you want to do and your budget.
Before the tour starts
Check your ticket carefully
Once your booking is complete, you will receive a ticket via email, so be sure to keep it safe.
You will show it at the Reef Fleet Terminal to check in.
What to bring
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Motion sickness medicine
Wallet
Smartphone
Camera
Drinks
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Swimsuit
A bag for dirty clothes
Towel
If you are going to swim, please don't forget to bring a change of clothes and a towel.
[Essential] Seriously, just make sure to bring motion sickness medicine, lol.
I'll start with the conclusion: you absolutely must bring motion sickness medicine.
If you don't have any, please bring a few bottles of cola.
~Green Island~ The boat to the Great Barrier Reef rocked quite a bit, and several people, from children to adults, were vomiting.
I was also in a state where I didn't know when I might throw up, and even after getting off the boat, I just kept drinking Coca-Cola.
There are ginger tablets on the boat, but I'm not sure if they actually work or not.
Please make sure to bring some.
Tour Details and Impressions
Basically, it's as described on the site, but I'd like to share my impressions while briefly following the flow.
Overall Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The guide was kind and the tour proceeded smoothly without any issues, so I would recommend it.
~Boarding the boat to Green Island~
First, before boarding the boat, you check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal.
Here, you will be directed to where to board the boat and given a sticker.
Since it differs for each tour, make sure to stick it somewhere visible to the guides.
When it is time, you can board the boat, so follow the instructions to get on.
According to the internet, the back rows on the first floor are less likely to cause seasickness, but I got seasick regardless of where I sat, so I don't really know if it's effective lol
~Green Island
On the boat, they were providing information about optional activities.
They don't get seasick, do they lol
By the way, there were Japanese guides on the boat, so if you are worried about speaking English in case something happens, try asking them.
Also, you can purchase simple drinks and such.
Once you arrive at Green Island, it is free time.
You can go snorkeling, relax on the beach, or grab something to eat.
If you are participating in optional activities, definitely check those out too!
Those who came on the Great Adventures tour can also use the pool on the island.
By the way, I was desperate to minimize my seasickness even a little.
~Pontoon
Once you arrive at the pontoon, you have free time here as well.
The main activity is probably snorkeling.
Also, those who wish can see the coral reefs with a guide on a semi-submersible submarine.
Around 13:00, we have lunch.
Personally, even though I can't swim, I tried snorkeling for the first time, but it was so scary that I stopped after about 10 minutes.
It was beautiful, but I was just so anxious that it made me think once again that I really don't want to drown.
~To Cairns
Light snacks were handed out on the way to Cairns.
After that, we were just heading back to Cairns.
I was worried it might be bumpy on the way back too, but unlike the trip there, it wasn't bumpy at all.
What was that all about, haha.
Summary
Although I finally went to the Great Barrier Reef, the memory that remained was more about seasickness than the coral reefs.
I had been on a sketchy ferry in Okinawa, so I let my guard down thinking it would be better than that, but it actually felt even bumpier.
I think I managed back then because there was a place to lie down, but there is no place to sleep on this ferry.
Because of that, it was even more physically exhausting.
I will say it again: please make sure to take seasickness precautions.
Get a good night's sleep before the tour, and don't forget to prepare motion sickness medicine!