Whitsunday Islands

From Cairns we had a very long day drive to arrive at Airlie Beach, the jump-off spot to visit the Whitsunday Islands.  We booked a snorkelling trip leaving from this area.

This photo needs a little straightening, but you get the picture. Strangely enough, except for the warmth and the odd tropical plant, the islands reminded us of the Gulf Islands or the San Juans.

I had to get ready in a hurry...not the way I like to do things.  It usually takes me quite awhile to get myself all sorted out with mask, fins and snorkel.  Not to mention, I have to slide off this inflatable tube and into the water...again, not my cup of tea!  As my kids will tell you, I barely like to get my hair wet and this kind of entry guarantees that to be the end result!

We had a lot of close-up fish as they fed them right in front of us.

 This is how we got into the Whitsundays.  It goes 60 kms an hour...a bit faster than Fortuitous!

 This is a large wrasse.

 Closer still...

AND CLOSER STILL!!!....

 The visibility wasn't as good as we'd hoped for, but the fish were large and plentiful.

 The coral in the second site were quite unique and many we'd never seen before.

 We then had a stop at Whitehaven beach, 98% silica sand...cool to the feet even in that heat.  Apparently this sand reflects and doesn't absorb the sunlight, hence much cooler than ordinary sand.

We hiked up the hill for the view, and look-out over the beach.  Our boat was down below.

 Here we are at the lookout.

 On the beach were these 'army crabs' that all moved together just like an army.

Here's a close-up.

Beautiful clear warm water...and Ralph is along on this trip as you can see!  Next stop Hervey Bay and Fraser Island...after an overnight at Rockhampton because of distance between here and there.