Cape Tribulation the next day.
Enjoyed a lovely night’s sleep in our quaint one-room bungalow with its cozy comfy bed. We were serenaded by the jungle noises. No TV or bathroom, but you get what you pay for…
Had a basic breakfast in the communal kitchen, then on to this morning adventure, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. We squeezed ourselves into wetsuits and walked down to the ocean thru a mangrove boardwalk.
We walked right off the gorgeous Cape Tribulation Beach (much like Tofino beaches) through the surf onto a 25ft Semirigid boat with twin 375hp Yamaha outboards. We are soon off into rough seas at 20-25 knots. Our Captain gleefully entertains our group of 23 by hitting every drop he can while playing AC-DC loudly. Many are soaked from the many turns the captain executes. Some are seasick. Fortunately the trip is only 25 minutes to Mackay reef.
We spent 2 hours snorkeling at the Great Barrier reef at Mackay and Undine reefs. Jackie loved it, but after spending 3 days diving on the reef a few days before, I was less impressed. Her comment is that it is a true paradise with the gorgeous reef and tropical Daintree rainforest fringing the sandy beach.
Snorkeling showed us numerous types of coral, as well as parrot fish, rays,clown fish and more. No sea turtles were spotted by us, but some in our group did..We did see lots of giant clams – something Jackie really associated with the Great Barrier reef.
Back on the road in the afternoon for a harrowing return trip on the very narrow roads. Jackie complained that I was riding the left edge of the road – always the backseat driver..