New to Snorkeling -tips for Great Barrier Reef?

[equinecpa]

I'm going to Oz in 2 weeks...I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself.

Of course I want to go snorkeling...if I like it I may even do an intro dive. We are actually going to Brisbane and then going to drive up to Gladstone and/or Rockhampton.

Can anyone recommend which Southern Reef island would be best to snorkel at? If you know of a tour operator and can recommend a specific outfit that would be super. I'd like to find something that has something on board to captivate my 6 year old daughter or perhaps that has snorkeling in a lagoon or something where she might be able to join in. She is just barely swimming and so wants to snorkel. I think for her a glass bottom boat might have to do?

Is the Woongarra Marine park worth visiting? My guide says you can walk right into the snorkeling from the beach -might this be a good one for my daughter?

Heron Island sounds super -do any day tour operators go out there? I might do a couple reef islands, one day for family type snorkeling /glass bottom boats etc and one day for me (serious snorkeling)

Are the underwater observatories worthwhile? Which islands have them?

One more question-I'm I just as well off to buy snorkel gear over there if I decide i want to do it outside of a tour? Or should I secure some here...what do you look for in snorkel gear?

Thanks for any pointers anyone can give me -I doubt I'll ever get to do this trip again and don't want to come home to "you should have gone.....)

Carolyn

 

[joesynodontis]

I wish I knew some spots for you, A client of mine lives there...You are lucky to be going...I will try to go ther in my lifetime..

 

[jeffbrig]

Re: New to Snorkeling -tips for Great Barrier Reef?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10324293#post10324293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by equinecpa
Or should I secure some here...what do you look for in snorkel gear?

I'm generally of the opinon that you're always better off with your own gear. That way you always know the fins fit your feet, and the mask won't leak when you put your head in the water. Even on boats where equipment is provided, I always bring my own. If you have to swap out equipment when you should be in the water, you're wasting time!

 

[supereri]

Last time I went my fin ripped and my BCD (scuba) had a clip that would hold, but not tight enough. So the tank moved around on my back. Definitely try to get your own equipment.

 

[stgla]

Any more tips or experiences from the original poster? I'm going to be in Brisbane in late January for work and have a couple of free days. I'd like to find a tour operator or something to get myself out on the reef. Don't have diving experience so happy to snorkel.

Suggestions? Picks and pans?

 

[jvdb]

Re: Re: New to Snorkeling -tips for Great Barrier Reef?

Re: Re: New to Snorkeling -tips for Great Barrier Reef?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10413474#post10413474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffbrig
I'm generally of the opinon that you're always better off with your own gear. That way you always know the fins fit your feet, and the mask won't leak when you put your head in the water. Even on boats where equipment is provided, I always bring my own. If you have to swap out equipment when you should be in the water, you're wasting time!

I agree.

The place I certified has a demo of everything they sell -- They allow you take the equipment into the pool and try it out. I obviously got tons of pool time during certification, and tested at least a dozen different masks before I found mine, but even an hour or two I think you could find one that fits well.
You might consider calling the dive shops around you, and see if any of them offer this.

 

[Rossini]

Dont touch the marine life. Dont kick the coral.

 

[stgla]

I guess my questions were not what to do once I get a tour, but where to go and what tour to do.

THe original poster on this thread had nearly the exact same question as me, except I'm going solo (no kids) and I'm going in two months, not two weeks, so I have some time to do research and bookings.

Here is her post:

I'm going to Oz in 2 weeks...I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself.

Of course I want to go snorkeling...if I like it I may even do an intro dive. We are actually going to Brisbane and then going to drive up to Gladstone and/or Rockhampton.

Can anyone recommend which Southern Reef island would be best to snorkel at? If you know of a tour operator and can recommend a specific outfit that would be super.

 

[jvdb]

I'm going in two months, not two weeks, so I have some time to do research and bookings.

That's enough time to get SCUBA certified.

 

[cadeyrn_orlu]

Hi equinecpa
Ill try and help a little for you,But do as Jvdb suggested try and get certified
Lady Musgrave Island
Approximately 4 hours drive south of Rockhampton, Lady Musgrave Island is outer reef dive destination. Qualified divers have access to many dive sites outside of Lady Musgrave Lagoon. Experienced instructors offer the PADI Discover Scuba Program so you can try diving for the first time
you may consider camping on the island Pontoon, Snorkeling, Semi â€"œ Submersible, Coral Viewing, Guided Island Walks, Tropical Luncheon, Fish Feeding.

Heon Island 539 kilometres away from Brisbane Due to its distance from the mainland, Heron Island is one of the most expensive islands to visit but at Heron the Reef is at the very foot of the white sandy beaches. One of the most spectacular diving sites is the well-known Heron BommieThere are over 30 dive sites available, half of which are just 15 minutes away from the beach At other islands on the Reef it is sometimes necessary to travel 70 or 80 km for scuba diving and snorkelling
. Good for beginners and oldies
Dive Sites
Heron Island Bommies, Gorgonia Hole, Fifth Point, Second Point, First Point, Blue Pools, Pams Point, Coral Gardens, Wistari Reef, Libbie's Lair, Coral Cascade, Hole in the Wall, Coral Grotto, Plate Ledge, Pams Point (Best place to see Manta rays)

Divers will find the Barren and Child Islands, Egg Rock, Great Keppel Island, Man and Wife Rocks, and Outer Rock. As a suggestion, you should try the Egg Rock, a marine national park


Other spots
· Tryon Is.
· North Reef,
· North West Is. and
· more than 40 dive locations around the Keppel Group of Islands.
The Keppel Island group of 30 islands is situated 55km from Rockhampton, and 15km east of Rosslyn Bay on the Capricorn Coast


try this site http://www.divinginaustralia.com.au/queensland/

Hope it helped a little Oz is a big place,
"one thing though the reef has been affected by global warming"

Enjoy your Trip