Up with the birds this morning , with a slight breeze blowing , and lots of sunshine .
Breakfast out of the way , I threw my bag into the ute , making sure I had my cameras , today was looking really good !!!!
Lyn was having a husband free day , probably well overdue !!!
I headed 10 mins north to Tantabiddy Boat Ramp , where I was catching my boat for the day . Buses were rolling up , boats were being put in , the place was a hive of activity . Our tour guide found us and we were shuttled out to the larger boat by their tender boat . We were issued with snorkelling gear and wetsuit if you wanted one . The next group arrived and we had a safety brief before heading off . The protected waters were looking brilliant in the sunshine .
First stop was a snorkelling spot , to try all your gear out and iron out any problems and also for the tour guides to see who would need help and who would be okay . This is the spot .
We were only 500m to 1 klm off the beach in about 6m of water , the temperature of which was near perfect . We snorkelled for about 30 mins , here are a couple of pics , the stingray was a large one and is a variety that doesn't have the long tail .
Everything worked great , we got out of the water and the boat fired up it's engine , and we were off again . This time however we were leaving the reef protective water and heading out to sea , leaving the lagoon we encountered some swell , but it was only temporary - my travalcalm pills were working. Standing up the front of the boat was awesome , we could see other boats out fishing and doing tours , one followed us out , but went further south straight away - we headed out further , then turned south a bit . Looking back at the coast , I recognised where we were - pretty much straight offshore from where we are camped !!
The staff briefed us on how things were going to pan out today , we were split into 2 groups , we were in group 1 - first into the water !!! Excitement started to bounce around the deck , anticipation of what was about to go down .
The call came through , Group 1 get your gear ready and head down to the back of the boat , anticlimax , our prey had disappeared - they do that !! Back to our waiting again , but 2 minutes later we were all go again . I sat at the back of the boat , the photographer and spotter got in the water and swam off , we were ready to go , our guide got in and we were right behind her , forming sort of a line , the photographer indicated where it was and our guide said " heads down and look to the left .
Out of the distance a shape appeared and loomed large in my goggles , it was bloody awesome , a sleek slow moving monster of a fish . You have to remember to swim as soon as the pectoral fins get beside you otherwise you get left behind , you can't get too caught up in the moment , just get swimming with it - here it is - a 6m whale shark !!!
Remora's were clinging to the underside , and it just flicked it's tail slowly sideways and motored past us , not to miss out I swam hard and went to the far side after it passed me , and got that side to myself for a while . These animals are incredible , from their spotted camouflaged skin , the large mouth and even wider body , down to the enormous tail , I got up to the pectoral fin on the other side and could see it's eye , I was just swimming in awe of this magnificent creature !!!
We weren't allowed any closer than 3m from the side and 4m behind it's tail , or underneath it . Before long we were told to stop swimming as the 2nd group were in the water waiting , ready for their amazing adventure . The boat came round and picked us up , we didn't have time to worry about anything else as they told us to get ready again !!
Around the boat went dropping us off in front again and it all started again , into the water , in a line and swim - round 2 .
The sun was shining down through the water as well , making the whole scene look somewhat surreal !!
Time seems to stop for a while until we had the stop swimming command again , and get back into a group for the pick up .
The whale shark must of tired with us , and dived - as they do , everyone was back in the boat and buzzing , when the call came through again for group 1 - it had resurfaced again .
Back in the water again , I stayed behind the tail to get a different perspective . The tail would be 2m high , the remora's were underneath the pectoral fin , resembling bombs under the wing of a fighter jet.
We swam with the first shark 3 times , and they found another shark 5 minutes later and asked if anyone was interested - Do Fish Swim - you better believe it !!! We had 2 swims with the 2nd shark before heading back in - apparently normally you get a couple of swims , maybe 3 , and that's it - we got 5 !!!!!
After all that , we headed back in to the shallower waters - speaking of water , I did look down a few times - all you can see is water , the sea floor is totally out of view !!! all you can see is the suns rays disappearing into the depths !!
Back in calmer waters , we were provided with a great spread of salads & cold meats for lunch , which we dived into without any problem .
They kept spotting dugongs as we were eating , we probably spotted at least 15 of them - a bit hard to photograph unfortunately , as their head comes out then disappears , before the mermaids tail comes out and disappears again . Turtles also were regular visitors as we motored past .
One more stop at another snorkelling spot for 15 mins , of course in I went again - wasn't going to miss out on this !!
Before long , the day was over and we motored back to the boat ramp , getting off the boat and driving home - WHAT A DAY !!!!!
Lyn had a great walk along the beach , a swim , and some relaxing , enjoying her day also !!
Not too much else to say , a day full of excitement and great memories !!
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