Image via WikipediaPerfect Condition for Coral Spawn on the Great Barrier Reef!
Yes, November is the time of year, but will the conditions be just right?
Watch the video as Coral spawns on the GBR and check out the article below to find out more about this really cool event!
The annual coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef is set to occur in November as conditions become conducive to the natural phenomenon.
Conditions for spawning need to be just right; warm sea temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius, little tidal movement around three to six days after the November full moon, and after nightfall.
WATCH A VIDEO OF THE SPAWNING (above)
Poseidon's Peter Wright has been witnessing the spawning since the 1980s.
"It doesn't totally happen all in one night. It tends to happen on the inshore reefs a couple of nights beforehand and sometimes a whole month beforehand.
"A good indicator is Magnetic Island off Townsville. When that spawns you can be pretty sure (the reef in our area) will be soon after."
Mr Wright said the spawning will help the reef recover after natural disasters such as cyclones Larry and Yasi.
"It will help with the regeneration of damaged areas of the reef, providing those areas are clean of algae."
Marine biologists discovered the spawning process just 30 years ago, and this year predictions are being made that all will fall into place between 16 and 18 November. View original article here
I hope you enjoyed this video blog post Perfect Condition for Coral Spawn on the Great Barrier Reef
It really is quite an amazing event and without this happening coral reef would cease to exist!
So, lets hope for a succesful spawn shall we!
If you enjoy me blog please pass it on to others for all to enjoy!
Happy Holidays
Marty
Welcome to my blog post "Hamilton Island Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef"
This blog lately I have been covering alot more then just this lovely Island.
We have traveled up to Cairns, spoke about diving with sharks, talked about algea eating fish and turtles with Herpe's.
"Wow", I sure have covered a lot.
But today I want to get back to what it's all about Hamilton Island!
Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef
Tour of Hamilton Islands new resort - qualia, Hamilton Island Golf Club and the Hamilton Island Yacht Club. www.hamiltonisland.com.au www.qualia.com.au www.facebook.com twitter.com
Hamilton Island an exciting base for Great Barrier Reef adventures
A snorkelling or scuba diving excursion will naturally be a highlight of any trip to the Great Barrier Reef, but travelers on Australia tours will discover there's much more to do both in and out of the water around Hamilton Island.
Located off Australia's northeast coast, Hamilton is one of the 74 Whitsunday islands, renowned for their beautiful uninhabited forests and sunny, warm climate. With crystal clear water to frolic in and a host of options when it comes to accommodations, dining and land-based fun, it's no wonder Lonely Planet says, "Staying on a Whitsunday isle is one of the best options for experiencing the reef."
Among all the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island might provide the best mix of human development and unspoiled natural splendor. Hotels range from the ultra-luxe to the family friendly, and an island village provides a great place to mingle with other travelers while enjoying a delicious meal. For a truly memorable and unique reef experience, adventurers might leave Hamilton for an overnight stay on board a well-appointed boat.
On land, active types can explore the island by hiking or biking its numerous trails. Those who want to check out some of Australia's terrestrial wildlife after seeing some of the 1,500 species of Great Barrier Reef fish can head to the island's wildlife conservatory to have a close encounter with a koala or crocodile. View Original article here
Yes, if you get a chance to visit the island you may not have venture all the way out to Great Barrier Reef to sea turtles and coral.
Watch the video below and see for yourself! Snorkelling with turtles on Hamilton Island
Snorkelling with turtles on a fringing reef at Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island Whitsundays, Australia.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post Hamilton Island Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef Reef?
If you are interested in finding quality accommodation, reviews, photo's and more then click the link here today! Hamilton Island Accommodation
Happy Holidays
Marty
Image via WikipediaWelcome to my video blog post "Cairns Queensland Holiday Adventures"
Below I have added some videos and links to articles to help you plan your next vacation up in northern Queensland paradise we call Cairns! Cairns Day 3 - Behind The Scenes - Skyrail
A day in Cairns, Queensland, Australia on the Skyrail.
Skyrail & Tjapukai
Skyrail CairnsVoted Australia’s best major tourist attraction for three years in a row, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is one of the most special and unique rainforest experiences in the world. They’re both favourites of ours too!
Skyrail’s Cairns departure terminal is in Smithfield, 15-minutes drive north from Vision Cairns Esplanade Apartments. The 7.5km Skyrail rainforest cableway travels between Cairns and Kuranda showcasing panoramic views of World Heritage-Listed Wet Tropics rainforest, and the Coral Sea. You can leave your Gondola at two mid-stations to see the mighty Barron Falls and learn more about the rainforest from the forest floor. We recommend you travel to Kuranda on the Kuranda Scenic Rail and return to Cairns on Skyrail because the views are better on the way down.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture CairnsNext door to Skyrail’s Smithfield terminal is Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Far North Queensland is rich with Indigenous Australian culture and history and a visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is an excellent way to meet some of these fascinating people and experience a taste of their incredible culture through bush medicine and food demonstrations, dancing, storytelling and performance. View original article
Cairns Rainforest That Meets The Sea
Once you are up in northern Queensland you just have to go to Cape Tribulation and see where the rainforest meets the sea.
This place is truly spectacular, as you will see in the video below by Australian Geographic!
TONY'S TROPICAL TOURS – VOTED BEST RAINFOREST TOUR IN ...
The stops at the Bloomfield Falls, Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Stingray Bay, Noah Valley included some of the best scenery we experienced in Australia. The entire day was carried out very professionally, the lunch ... Publish Date: 10/30/2011 11:25 http://www.tropicaltours.com.au/blog/tonys-tropical-tours-voted-best-rainforest-tour-in-port-douglas/ Exchange to Oz: The Daintree Rainforest
We were on the steps of the hotel at 7:00 am to board our luxury BMW mini bus with Roger, our guide to spend the day exploring the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. There were the 6 of us as well as a nice couple ... Publish Date: 10/06/2011 12:45 http://exchangetooz.blogspot.com/2011/10/daintree-rainforest.html
Image by Miss Jo and the Elves via FlickrAre you looking for a "Great Barrier Reef Tour with Quicksilver"?
This company has been around for years now and provides a wonderful arrangement of tours. I hear that they are also now doing a night cruise of some sort. I have provide below for you an article and video all about this wonderful company and what you can expect in your next trip with the Quicksilver!
The world's best known Outer Great Barrier Reef cruise experience. Quicksilver Cruises takes you to the renowned Agincourt Reef at the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here, special reefs known as 'ribbons' run parallel to the Continental S...
With Quicksilver, an in-depth Great Barrier Reef tour
By Shane Nelson
Forty-five miles due east of Australia's Cape Tribulation, I was awash in the Coral Sea's mounting crush and having second thoughts about touching a giant clam.
Only minutes earlier, I'd watched a snorkeling marine biologist from Quicksilver Cruises point out an open clam the size of a monster-truck tire. Before diving down to brush it gently with her fingers, she explained to a small group of us how Hollywood had helped falsely brand the sea creatures as man-eaters. A grudging, unhurried jerk followed, and the clam gradually closed its dazzling maw, concealing most of its velvety, electric-blue flesh within the corrugated confines of a far drabber shell.
The process looked simple enough, and shortly after the guided tour finished, I located a giant clam of my own and decided to get a closer look. Sucking in a series of hurried breaths -- hyperventilating apparently helps one go longer without taking a breath -- I bit down on my snorkel and plunged headlong into a canyon of pastels.
An undulating patchwork of muted colors from the surface, the reef became increasingly tangled and complex as I pulled myself closer, descending on the fragile metropolis of coral. Finally just a few inches from the biggest clam I'd ever seen and struggling some with that depth's pressure, I reached out to see what the shell of a wrongly accused man-eater felt like. I ended up stopping short, though, captivated by the colors. It looked like the clam had swallowed a gleaming swatch of green and blue leopard print, and I didn't want anything to do with closing up all that brilliance.
Far-out splendor
Clients who join one of Quicksilver's outer Great Barrier Reef excursions are in for quite a journey. The sailings depart from Port Douglas in northern Queensland and travel just over 45 miles to the edge of Australia's continental shelf and the marine preserve at Agincourt Reef. The trip takes about 90 minutes one way.
Talk with Doug Baird, a longtime marine biologist for Quicksilver and the company's environment and compliance manager, and he'll tell you the long voyage is well worth the time.
"If you visit an inshore reef, that may not have a great diversity of coral, and it may not have a tremendous amount of fish life, mainly because of its proximity to the mainland," he explained. "Whereas going with us out to the edge of the continental shelf, we can bank on [150-foot-plus] visibility just about all year round, and there's a tremendous diversity of corals and fish."
Covering a total area of more than 134,000 square miles, the Great Barrier Reef is roughly the same size as New Mexico, and perhaps not surprisingly, many of its most pristine regions are those farthest from where people live.
During our interview, Baird mentioned a range of factors that can be harmful to corals, including sediment runoff, water temperature, salinity fluctuations as well as a growing concern linked to global warming: ocean acidification.
"The more carbon dioxide the oceans absorb, the more acidic the ocean is going to get," he said. "Corals rely on being able to remove calcium carbonate from the surrounding water then lay that down as a skeleton. Calcium carbonate skeletons don't tend to live well in acidic conditions."
Despite those concerns, the Agincourt Reef preserve certainly appeared healthy during my recent visit, and the assortment of both corals and fish was phenomenal.
"It is a full day," said Alana Pietrzak, a Los Angeles-based marketing manager for Qantas Vacations, of Quicksilver's outer reef excursions. "But you get to fully experience the colors of the reef, and there's a far better chance to see all kinds of marine life out there."
Finding Nemo
Patient snorkeling isn't a strong suit of mine, and I'm frequently guilty of trying to see too much as soon as I get my fins wet. According to Baird, narrowing one's focus often yields better results.
"What I find most interesting -- and what I try to get folks to do, as well -- is just to follow a fish and see what it does," he said. "See how that fish interacts. See what kind of distance it covers. See what it's feeding on. ... Some fish will spend their entire life cycle in an area not much bigger than a coffee table. Clown fish, for example, tend to spend almost their entire life on one anemone."
Baird told me that actually spotting a clown fish, however, can be tough even for the most patient observers.
"On the movie screen, Nemo looked 4 feet long," he said. "In reality, Nemo is about an inch or 2 inches long. ... And they're also pretty shy. When something creates a big, dark silhouette above them, most of the shy and retiring fish tend to take refuge."
Snorkeling is, of course, only one of many options folks can enjoy once they arrive at Quicksilver's expansive outer reef platform. Those not interested in swimming can join a tour of the region's coral formations on the company's semisubmersible vessel or simply look out the anchored platform's underwater viewing observatory at all kinds of fish -- or passing loved ones.
For an additional fee, patrons can take introductory scuba lessons or plan a certified dive, and Quicksilver also offers novices a helmet diving experience where participants walk along a reef platform in a viewing contraption made mostly of glass. And there's the premium helicopter adventure taking off from a nearby platform, enabling guests to admire the Great Barrier Reef's staggering scale and mesmerizing formations from high above.
"Being Australian, I'm always amazed when I go out to the reef," said Pietrzak, a native of Cairns, Australia, who told me she's gone on at least five Quicksilver cruises. "There's always something magical about being out there, and I learn something new every time I go."
Commissionable to agents, Quicksilver's seven-hour outer reef cruises cost $210 for adults and $107 for children and include a light breakfast and buffet lunch. The company also offers a $534 rate for families of two adults and two children.
As you can see from the article above this company really provides one of the best tours on the Great Barrier Reef.
If you are interested all about the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island and the Whitsunday please follow this blog to keep updated.
Happy Holidays!
Marty
Is it true? "Could Rabbit Fish Rescue The Great Barrier Reef?
These guys feed on that dreaded algae that effects this majestic reef!
They truly are a beautiful fish to look at, but they they may just play a huge role, bigger than we ever imagined!
View the article below!
Rabbitfish Rescuing Reef
Research shows rabbitfish may help save areas of the Great Barrier Reef.
Rabbitfish may help save large areas of the Great Barrier Reef from destruction because they are herbivores and capable of stripping an area of vegetation, scientists recently said.
Coral reefs that have been weakened or damaged by human activity or natural disaster usually recover as long as they are not choked by marine algae, the scientists said.
However, because the populations of fish that normally feed on the algae have been fished down, the algae has been left to grow substantially.
Researchers have spent years running live experiments to see what happens when a reef turns to weed – and which fish, if any, are of help in restoring the coral.
Most herbivores avoided the weed, except for the rabbitfish.
Underwater video cameras caught the rabbitfish, in schools up to 15, grazing the crest, slopes and outer flats of the reef, and eating at more than 10 times the rate of other weed-eaters.
However the team noticed the rabbitfish concentrated their weed-removal efforts on the crest of the reef and were less effective on the slopes and flats – a feeding preference that is yet to be explained.
View the original article here
I hope you enjoyed this article above? Keep an eye out for more just like this on the way!
See you soon and happy holidays
Marty
Image via WikipediaTurtle Of The Great Barrier Reef Catching Herpes?
Far out it sounds hard to believe, but apparently these guys are getting sick!
scroll down to watch the video and view the article below to find out more! Swimming with Sea Turtles - Great Barrier Reef
This green sea turtle kept coming back for another back-scratch. It "wiggled like a cat" when we scratched its shell. He was fit, healthy and very quick when he wanted to be. After about 20 minutes we had to swim away from him.
Herpes like virus sickening sea turtles in Australia Article
A herpes-like virus has sickened sea turtles on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and marine researchers are still at a loss as to why the turtles have become infected with the virus, known as fibro-papilloma. In an effort to determine why the virus has attacked the sea turtles, of which six species call the Great Barrier Reef home, researchers have started tagging healthy turtles off the north Queensland coast, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The tags will monitor the migration of the turtles and the researchers hope that this will help them to determine where the disease is coming from.
In related news, World Wildlife Fund Australia has partnered with James Cook University to help the Great Barrier Reef marine turtles, which have endured a variety of maladies, both natural and man made.
"Sadly extreme weather events earlier this year in Queensland have taken a serious toll on green turtles with the loss of food sources in many areas adding to existing threats from net entanglement and disease," WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said in a prepared statement.
"This has inspired us to seek new ways of working with leading science and turtle health agencies like James Cook University so we can ensure the Great Barrier Reef remains one of the world’s best sanctuaries for green turtles."
The partnership will enable both entities to care for sick and injured turtles in the region, perform research on turtle health and disease, and to push for the establishment of areas of protection for the turtles. The partnership has a heavy workload ahead, as approximately 1000 turtles were found stranded on the coast, most dead, between January and September of this year. Last year, there were 538 strandings/deaths during the same period. Those that were found alive were so sick that emergency care was required.
View original article by the reptile channel here
As you can see from the story above this is quite an issue!
I really hope the scientist can find an answer or nature sorts itself out!
I really love Turtles as you may of seen in previous posts!
Image by داود via FlickrWelcome to my Beach Club Hamilton Island Reviews Whitsundays video blog post!
Below I have provide a video of the accommodation it has been shot by an amateur. As far as I know there has been some renovations since then.
Most Beautiful Islands: Queensland, Australia - Whitsunday Islands
There's accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes from rustic and private Palm Bungalows through to the deluxe at the Beach Club and the ultimate luxury at qualia. Qualia is located on the Northern most tip of Hamilton Island and provides ... Publish Date: 02/05/2010 19:00 http://mostbeautifullisland.blogspot.com/2011/10/queensland-australia-whitsunday-islands.html
Last Minute Weekend Getaway To The Beach Club Resort Hamilton Island.
The Beach Club Hamilton Island is ideal for a last minute weekend getaway from almost anywhere on the Eastern Coast of Australia, and it is only three hours door to door from Melbourne. What this means that it is possible to make a last ... Publish Date: 07/20/2007 17:00 http://thespiritofcollection.com/last-minute-weekend-getaway-to-the-beach-club-resort-hamilton-island/
I hope you enjoyed this video blog post Beach Club Hamilton Island Reviews? To find out more about this wonderful resort and go straight to the reviews with Hotels Combined please click the link above!
Image via WikipediaA New Cyclone Study Points To Clusters!
This can be great news for predicting future catastrophic events!
If we can save more lives and peoples and livelihoods then this has to be a good thing right?
Below is an old video from Youtube from Cyclone Yassi!
Cyclone Yasi approaches Queensland
Philip Duncan of WeatherWatch.co.nz on how Cyclone Yasi developed and what will happen when it hits Australia.
View the article below to find out more!
Study Points To Cyclone Clusters Article!
Scientists say there is new evidence that cyclones occur in clusters, rather than randomly.
Researchers from Queensland and the UK studied weather records and found cyclone activity occurs in short, intense periods, followed by relatively long, quiet periods.
Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, from the University of Queensland, says it is good news for ecosystems sensitive to cyclones such as the Great Barrier Reef.
"If you get periods in which you have a lot of cyclones and then ... a break between them, the impact can be a lot less than if they were to be spaced out," he said.
Fellow researcher Justine Bell says this new information should help insurance companies.
"It's certainly helpful having this information about one particular sort of event which has historically been quite a large source of claims for the insurance industry," she said.
"I think the biggest thing that will come from this is certainty for them; by having this data available, it allows them to make an informed decision about risk pricing.
"They're able to better plan and make decisions in pricing policy premiums to account for these events in the future."
Ms Bell says the findings could help persuade insurers to keep covering riskier markets.
The general manager of the Insurance Council of Australia, Karl Sullivan, says this information will not greatly affect the industry.
"Insurers are in the business of pricing risk. Determining that risk comes from a range of sources and new research like this can assist with that, but the strongest factor that insurers use to price is historical claims," he said.
"Any research that's received adds to the body of knowledge and then adds to the insurer's ability to actually price it [the claim] correctly.
"But by itself it doesn't mean a lot; it really has to be taken into context of that historical claims database that we work with."
The study was conducted by Professor Peter Mumby, from the University of Queensland's Global Change Institute, and Professor David Stephenson, from the University of Exeter in the UK.
Below I have also added some link from recent post that relate to our article New Cyclone Study Points To Clusters!
Please pass it on to others who may find this article interested via Twitter and Facebook!
Image by richard ling via FlickrThe Great Barrier Reef Marine Turtles Can We Help?
It seems that we can!
You see these lovely creatures need our help and are dieing for some real crappy reasons!
You see turtles just love to eat jelly fish!
Now they see rubbish as food such as plastic bags and cigarette butts and these kill our lovely turtles.
The plastic bags they think are jelly fish and same with the cigarette butts.
It only takes about 4 cigarette butts to kill a turtle and yes, only one plastic bag!
Watch the video below and then scroll down to see the article I have provided!
Snorkeling with Turtle Eating Jellyfish Great Barrier Reef.m4v
www.facebook.com/snorkelling One of the friendly juvenile Green Turtles in the famous Turtle Bay is feeding on Moon Jellyfish. Webelieve the best snorkeling in the world is a coral reef adventure on a Great Barrier Reef snorkeling trip with Wavelengt...
The Curious Turtle Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef
www.facebook.com/snorkelling Despite constant trespassing and harassment of turtles by people in our famous Turtle Bay site, there are still 3 individual turtles who are still friendly towards snorkellers. Here, Big Girl takes an interest in the came...
The health and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef’s marine turtles is the focus of a new partnership launched in Townsville today between James Cook University and WWF, the global conservation organisation.
The partnership comes at a time when turtles on the Great Barrier Reef are facing continued threats from loss of food, water pollution, disease, entanglement in fishing nets and coastal development.
“Sadly extreme weather events earlier this year in Queensland have taken a serious toll on green turtles with the loss of food sources in many areas adding to existing threats from net entanglement and disease,” said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman.
“This has inspired us to seek new ways of working with leading science and turtle health agencies like James Cook University so we can ensure the Great Barrier Reef remains one of the world’s best sanctuaries for green turtles.”
The partnership will see James Cook University and WWF-Australia working together to provide care for sick and injured turtles, conduct vital research into turtle disease and health, and promote the establishment of protected areas where turtles can be safe from fishing nets and coastal development.
Dr Ellen Ariel, Senior Lecturer at JCU's School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, said the main thrust of the university’s involvement would be research into the plight of the turtles and how best to help, treat, and protect them and their habitats – now and into the future.
“The university has a world-wide reputation in the area of marine sciences,” she said, “and in situations such as exist at present we can access and initiate research across a number of faculties and disciplines.”
Many inshore sea grass meadows – an important source of food for green turtles – were smothered with sediment and pollution after widespread flooding earlier this year. The subsequent impact of Cyclone Yasi added to the problem and removed many of the remaining sea grasses.
Between January and mid-September this year, there have been nearly 1000 turtles found stranded, most of them dead, compared with 538 for the same period last year. The few turtles that are found alive are often emaciated and require emergency care to bring them back to health.
Dr Ariel said that Reef HQ was doing a great job in looking after the distressed turtles, but extra facilities and resources were needed in order to support their efforts.
“With the help of WWF we will be in a position to assist with the overflow of starving turtles – particularly in the present situation where the numbers are overwhelmingly high,” she said.
WWF-Australia contact:
Charlie Stevens, WWF Media Manager - Queensland, 0424 649 689.
I hope you enjoyed my video blog post "Great Barrier Reef Marine Turtles Can We Help"? Please share this article with other within your Facebook friends and Twitter feed to get the word out there!
Also if you are a smoker please consider the turtle and the environment and bin those butts!
Have a great day
Marty
Image via WikipediaHi, and welcome to my video blog post "Fantasea Reef Sleep Tour Great Barrier Reef!"
I was doing my usual Great Barrier Reef search on the web for cool content and I found this amazing wonderful overnight tour!
The first part is a video shows the boat and explains all about there cool adventure day trips out to their floating platform
The second part is the article which I found and wanted to share with you! This article talks about the amazing trip this lady had and how you can go too!
The phone number to book is at the bottom of the article!
STRESSING over what to do for my 50th birthday, I finally decide to do something totally different and just think about myself.
I want an activity that is special and unique.
I settle on Fantasea Reefsleep on the Great Barrier Reef.
Reefsleep offers two days and one night on the Fantasea Adventure Platform at Hardy Reef.
The day trip allows just over three hours to enjoy this stunning environment but it's non-stop trying to fit everything in and you have to share it with other people.
Waving goodbye to the visitors and taking possession of Reefworld is when Reefsleep comes into its own.
With just a few staff and a Reefsleep host to look after you, the magic of having this marine wonderland to yourself for 20 hours cannot be underestimated.
The water clarity is more than 18 metres, so visibility is excellent.
I spend hours snorkelling in low tide late afternoon and again early the next morning. Massive schools of tiny, glowing blue fish swim by.
I say "hello" to pink-lipped damsel fish and enormous gropers and schools of trevally.
Colour, colour everywhere.
It's not that the whole reef is psychedelic but individual fish and coral are magnificent in their colour parade.
The more you look, the more you see.
The joy of snorkelling here reminds me of childhood feelings of delight and amazement.
I feel so young, mesmerised, entranced, and glad that I can still be so impressed.
Fantasea Adventure Cruising employs five marine biologists who are passionate about their work and about educating the tourists who arrive each day.
In a half-hour guided snorkel safari with Bunitj, I learn about aggressive, territorial damsel fish and how they harvest algae, the parrot fish with his pointy beak for scraping coral and the copious amounts of sand he poops, how important grazing herbivores are, and how the ocean is a carbon sink absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Later in the day, we spend time with the Reefworld manager, Paul, talking about the fish and watching the night activity in the underwater viewing chamber.
Our Reefsleep hostess Ebony has served a cheese platter and champagne at sunset and dinner is an al-fresco meal under the stars.
The salty air and the occasional loud splash are reminders that we are happily marooned in the middle of one of the greatest natural wonders in the world.
In warmer months, I am sure you would feel like sleeping under the stars on the top deck. But on a breezy September night, we choose to head off to our cabin to be lulled to sleep by the sea.
Next morning, I am awakened by the rising sun peaking through the porthole. We feast on a colourful fruit platter and full breakfast as all this activity has definitely given us an appetite.
We soak up the morning beauty and enjoy the last few hours we have Reefworld to ourselves, but I am looking forward to the new set of visitors, a scuba dive and an afternoon massage.
I have decided as part and parcel of this new decade I should also try something new. When the ferry arrives for the day, I join two other guests to take a PADI Introductory dive course.
I know nothing. I am the complete novice. I learn about air spaces in the body, about equalisation and ascending, hand signals and my BCD (buoyancy control device) and my DVR (demand valve regulator).
It all sounds logical but when I put the tank on my back and get in the training pool for a dress rehearsal, I freak out. Luckily, I have the absolutely gorgeous, confident Nessy who keeps giving me the "okay" sign and getting me to practise breathing, equalising and clearing water from my mask and I eventually get it together enough to take off.
Oh, I can do this. This is wonderful. I'm free. We hold on to the ropes to start with but then Nessy lets the three of us take off after her and we are swimming unassisted and breathing under water, totally surrounded by the wonders of this special place.
Perfect. The snorkelling was enjoyable but this is truly magical.
To top off this two-day fiesta of self-indulgence, I have the most relaxing massage in the Harmony Hut with Annie and I am truly in harmony with myself and the world.
As we are saying our farewells to the Reefworld staff I hear one little girl say to her mother: "Wouldn't you like to stay here forever?"
If I was a fish, I'd definitely want to live on the Great Barrier Reef.
For a human, this is a great way to spend a few days in another world.
The writer was a guest of Fantasea Adventure Cruising.
REEFSLEEP
Spend two days and one night on the Great Barrier Reef
Where: The Fantasea Adventure Platform at Reefworld on Hardy Reef, approx 40 nautical miles off the coast. Reefworld is the only permanent structure marine accommodation available in Australia. Depart from Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays.
What's included: ferry transfers, all Reefworld facilities, sunset snack, dinner and beverages, full breakfast, buffet lunches, morning and afternoon tea, a designated Reefsleep Host to look after you. Also included is a scuba dive or a guided snorkel safari with a Reef Interpreter. Heli scenics and massages are an optional, and enjoyable, extra. Bunk rooms start at $399/person (no dive) and king cabin is $570/person (no dive).
How do I book: Contact your favourite travel agent or book online at Fantasea or call (Australia free call 1800650851.)
I hope you enjoyed this article Fanatasea Reef Sleep Tour Great Barrier Reef and found it entertaining and hopefully useful?
Please bookmark this blog and keep an eye out for more content on the way about Hamilton Island, Whitsudays and the Great Barrier Reef.
Also if you would like more information about this are or looking to find more information about Great Barrier Reef Holidays then please follow the link provided today!
Welcome to my blog post! "Deadly Underwater Creature Videos of Sharks Crocodiles
The first video is the real deal of a crocodile underwater being filmed! This was not done from a cage!
If it was me I would be back on the boat by now!
You see the thing is Crocs will travel through the ocean from Island to Island!
Krazy O'Dz Underwater Crocodile Encounter
I filmed this crocodile in the waters of the island nation of Palau. I have always had a fear of these terrifying creatures, but once we spent a little time together we became tolerant of each other's presence and I was able to get some amazing foota...
Are you ready to go free diving with Tiger Sharks?
This video below show some crazy doods ready to risk life and limb to get some footage of the Tiger shark!
Tiger sharks are extremely teritorial and will bite you just for coming into their space!
Not me that's for sure!
I hope you like my video blog post Deadly Underwater Creature Videos of Sharks Crocodiles?
Please bookmark this blog to see more cool stuff just like this!
Marty
Yes, a "Baby White Whale seen for the first time"!
I was doing some research about the Great Barrier Reef and I found this awesome video of a new born baby whale!
Also I cam across a wonderful article about the albino whale that was just given birth to by his proud Mum!
Humpback Whale baby!! Just Born learning to swim
www.reefari.com Just North of Brampton Island, Southern Whitsunday islands, Reefari came across a newborn baby Humpback calf with Mother, Just laying on the surface, lying on his back. The calf was half white on the lower side of body. If lucky enoug...
Rare white whale calf spotted off Australia
SYDNEY — An extremely rare white humpback whale calf has been spotted near Australia's Great Barrier Reef in an event witnesses described Thursday as a "once in a lifetime experience".
Believed to be just a few weeks old, the baby humpback was seen at Cid Harbour in the famous reef's Whitsunday Islands area by local man Wayne Fewings, who was with his family in a boat when he spotted a whale pod.
"We were just drifting when I noticed the smaller whale in the pod was white. I couldn?t believe my eyes, and I just grabbed my camera," Fewings said.
photo right: An adult Humpback on his way north with the family!
"Then the white calf approached my boat, seeming to want to check us out. I was just so amazed at seeing this animal, it made me think how truly astounding the Great Barrier Reef is," he added of the sighting on Saturday.
"I feel very lucky to have witnessed this, it's a once in a lifetime experience."
Reef official Mark Read said white whales were highly unusual, with only 10-15 believed to exist among the 10,000-15,000 humpbacks living along Australia's east coast, and purely white ones -- like the calf spotted on Saturday -- rarer still. View the rest of the article here!
I really wanted to share this article and video Baby White Whale seen for the first time! It really is very touching!
If you would like to know more about the Great Barrier Reef then please go and visit my website today! It's a great place to plan your next Great Barrier Reef Holiday!
Image via WikipediaAre The Sharks Disappearing Due To Human Impact? Great Question
Below I have added a video about Shark Fin soup. This video was created as a school project and is quite good!
SHARK FIN SOUP MOVIE
A project for FIU's Global Environment and Societies class about shark finning. I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO ANY OF THE FOOTAGE, PICTURES, OR AUDIO IN THIS VIDEO. IT IS SIMPLY A SCHOOL PROJECT.
Below is an article I found on Twitter! It's quite in depth and gives us a wider view on the subject!
Humans real predators of the ocean
BYRON Bay's Madison Stewart has spent most of her life with sharks.
Naturally that led to her getting involved with politics.
Ms Stewart, 18, wants people interested in protecting the ocean's assets to lobby the Federal Government to revise fishery management plans because of concerns about dwindling shark numbers.
The Federal Government is taking submissions on whether to extend its approval for the Queensland East Coast Fin Fish Fishery.
The fishery, which stretches into the Great Barrier Reef, is approved until February 28.
Its current management plan allows commercial fishers to catch sharks.
Ms Stewart said the current plan allowed 600 tonnes of shark to be removed from the fishery annually for domestic consumption and export markets in Asia.
The level of shark fishing worries Ms Stewart.
She pointed to recent research from James Cook University that found shark numbers on the Great Barrier Reef were falling because of over-fishing.
She said she was deeply concerned about the future conservation of the Great Barrier Reef's shark population and the impact a reduction in shark numbers could have on the wider marine ecosystem.
"Sharks are apex predators, they control all the species below them and everything in the oceans has a purpose," she said.
"We are killing an estimated 100 million sharks a year worldwide, at a rate so fast the effects are not yet conclusive."
Ms Stewart said she hoped the negative perception of sharks held by some sections of the public would not stop people seeing the crucial role they played in the marine ecosystem.
"I don't need people to love sharks, we just need to recognise the oceans need them and we need the oceans," she said.
"Our fear should not be enough to bring down an entire species. We are the dangerous ones in the oceans.
"The injustices the oceans face are so severe.
"Only recently a tiger shark was killed in shark nets on the Gold Coast.
"It was pregnant with 30 pups, so we lost 31 sharks, and the media merely listed it as a 'monster'."
Ms Stewart said only through the public lobbying the government would it respond to conservationists' concerns.
"The government needs to see that people are in favour of oceans protection, and only then will they do something about it," she said.
Submissions on the fishery plan can be sent to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities until October 21.
More information about this issue can be found at Ms Stewart's blog: http://elements5.blogspot.com.
I hope you enjoyed this video blog article "Are The Sharks Disappearing Due To Human Impact"? and found it useful?
Please pass this on to others via facebook and twitter so the world finds out what it really needs to know!
Anything that we can do to save these guys is a big help!
Hay, I am a surfer and I have fear of sharks, but they are a part of the overall ocean and need to be there (top of the food web)
Many thanks
Marty
Image via WikipediaWelcome to my blog post "Exploring Keppel Island Group"
The video below shows a young traveler providing his take on this magnificent Island on the Whitsundays.
I am sure you will enjoy this one!
I went on a fantastic bushwalk on Great Keppel Island which saw me get hopelessly and completely lost. I ended up roaming through a eucalypt wood walking into spiderwebs and nearly tripping up over goannas and peacocks.
The second video below goes away from the land and under the water! Truthfully nearly everyone who comes to this region has some affinity with the sea!
So, lets explore shall we!
Underwater observatory near Great Keppel Island
Footage of the corals and fish found at the underwater observatory near Great Keppel Island. Vision shot by Dr Alison Jones of CQUniversity.
So, did you enjoy those videos?
It truly is amzing above and below the water around the Keppel Group.
Please pass this video blog post Exploring Keppel Island Group on to others who you believe will enjoy it too!
Happy Holidays!
Marty
Image via WikipediaGreat Barrier Reef More Tourist Please!
Yes, the numbers have been dwindling over the past 20 years and after cyclones, floods and a roaring Australia dollar the tourist industry is hurting!
QUALITY is the key to attracting more visitors to the Great Barrier Reef after figures show stagnating numbers in the past 20 years.
An ecotourism expert is recommending operators highlight the quality experience to beat rivals.
Ecotourism Australia’s Global Eco Tourism Conference convener Tony Charters said the number of Reef visitors had remained the same for 20 years.
"The Great Barrier Reef currently hosts 1.3 million visitors per year, similar numbers in 2011 as in 1991, 20 years ago," he said.
Mr Charters said rival destinations were providing cheaper holidays but not a better experience.
He said Australians were heading to Vietnam, Fiji and even the US because it was cheaper than Cairns, Townsville or the Whitsundays.
"We can’t compete on price but we can compete on the quality of the experience. The Great Barrier Reef has excellent reefs, the best in the world and Australia is a world leader in managing the quality of the reefs," he said.
Passions of Paradise chief executive officer Scotty Garden said most of the region’s Reef operators offered good quality and varied products.
He said Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia were doing a good job of promoting the quality of the Reef product.
I hope you enjoyed the article and video above! It really does look as though the tourism industry needs a good shove along!
Get the word out and tell the world just how wonderful Australia and the Great Barrier Reef really is!
You could start by sharing this blog with others online!
Happy Holidays
Marty
Welcome to the "Whitsundays Travel Video Guide"!
I have used this video before in a couple of posts, but I wanted to share it again with readers who just may of missed it.
If you want to know more about these Islands then watch the video below!
Enjoy!
Holiday Travel Video Guide Whitsundays, Queensland Australia
We decided to visit Queensland's Whitsundays. There is something for everyone its great place for a adventure-packed holiday with so much natural beauty on its doorstep you can snorkel or scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, soak up the sun on White...
I hope you enjoyed the "Whitsundays Travel Video Guide" above?
There will be more on the way real soon and if you are considering booking your next holiday in Australia then let me suggest Hotels Combined
Image by wo de shijie via FlickrWelcome to my "Lady Elliot Video Great Barrier Reef Queensland"
This video is just baeutiful!
The music and the underwater scenery is beyond stunning and makes you want to pack up shop and there right now!
Lady Elliot Island Travel Video Guide, Great Barrier Reef Queensland
We visited Lady Elliot Island, one of only three island resorts on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and the only resort with direct flight access to the island airstrip. The island is located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in the highest...
I hope you enjoyed this "Lady Elliot Video Great Barrier Reef Queensland" blog post?
Please pass it on to others and come again to see more great vids about the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays and more!
Happy Holidays!
Image via WikipediaWelcome to my video Blog post Great Barrier Reef Holidays Vacations! I must say this is one red hot article! Anyway, don't take my word for it, watch the videos and click the links to see for yourself!
A Holiday at Heron Island - Great Barrier Reef
At Heron Island, we start with the natural beauty of the reef and the kaleidoscope of the life it inspires. We add our passion for food and service and complement it with the little luxuries that make holidays complete. Heron Island is your natural p...
Southern Great Barrier Reef - Great Keppel Island Holiday Village.m4v
Great Keppel Island Holiday Village is located in a gum tree bush setting less than a minute's walk to two perfect swimming beaches. Accommodation includes twin or double rooms; twin or double canvas tents erected on timber decks, and ensuited cabins...
What would you like to do on your Great Barrier Reef Holidays?
That’s why your here, right? You came to this site to get answers to your questions about what you can do while on your next vacation? Whether it be relaxing, scuba diving, snorkeling, touring, sailing, fishing,camping, cruises or even Island hopping, you want to know about it.
Or maybe you just want lay some of the whitest, finest, softest sand on earth and just think “Oh... that feels great,” while sipping on a tall drink. We all have different reason for travel.
It could be sightseeing, adventure, romance. Chances are you’ll find all of the above on an Australian holiday- especially on The Reef.
So, while you are here searching throughout our easy- to- navigate website, we will help you put together your perfect Great Barrier Reef Holidays.
How can we do this?
Well, this site has been designed and written Marty Ware, a real Aussie adventurer. Marty can deliver the best quality information. And keep you up to date, Aussie Style!
So, are you after facts about The Reef? How it evolved? What creatures live there and what you can expect to see?
Or do you want to know about the surrounding islands? Lord knows there are enough of them. So what are they like? How big? Where positioned exactly?
What can you do while you stay on these Islands? Can you fly to them? Can you sail to them, or reach them by public ferry? What about accommodation?
Where to stay? What places rate the best? How much does it cost to stay at those places? Just as importantly, when are the best deals available? The best times to visit? Yes, there are a lot of questions, aren’t there? When should you visit the Great Barrier Reef? And what can you expect while you are there at different seasons of the year? The time of the year is an important factor. This site will give you all the good gen. What about safely? The traveling itself – getting there? What to watch out for? How to keep your loved ones safe.
Oh, and yes, how to make those hard-earned dollars go furthest. This site will provide all of those things. So you really have come to the right place for all your Great Barrier Reef Holidays and needs!
Image via WikipediaWelcome to my blog "Accomadation Port Douglas"
Below I have provided videos and links to the best on the web as we speak!
This sure is a beautiful part of the world!
Actually above is a spelling error, but people are typing this into the search engines so, I thought I would accommodate to those searching for this information!
Port Douglas Resort - Thala Beach Lodge Envirotv
Port Douglas Accommodation at Thala Beach Lodge was featured on Envirotraveltv. Winner of 2008 Best Luxury Hotel in Australia and 2009 Best Luxury Hotel in Australia and 2009 Best Romance hotel in Australia awarded by Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awa...
Reef Club Resort Port Douglas
www.reefclubportdouglas.com.au Providing the perfect base to explore the nearby Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Reef Club Resort offers quality 4 Star accommodation in an excellent location. Reef Club is just a minute's walk from the worl...
Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia is a picturesque seaside village located just 70 km north of Cairns International Airport along a spectacular scenic coastal drive. The relaxed seaside village is set alongside the spectacular Four Mile Beach and holds a vibrant atmosphere of tropical style and sophistication. Port Douglas holidaymakers relish the natural beauty and warm, balmy climate that attracts visitors at any time of the year. It captures visitors by the heart and has made Port Douglas a favourite international destination.
Nestled at the end of a peninsula, the tranquil waters of a natural harbour on one side of the village embrace the lively Port Douglas Marina. Along the other side of the peninsula stretches the breathtaking sandy sweep of beautiful Four Mile Beach.
Port Douglas activities
Port Douglas reef tour
There are a range of Port Douglas tours, attractions and activities to suit all visitors. Soak up the sunshine on Four Mile Beach, stroll Macrossan Street among the village shops, galleries, historic buildings and the seaside Port Douglas Sunday market. Play a round of golf, visit a rainforest wildlife centre, relax over sun downer drinks at a boardwalk café, or dine on a delicious tropical dinner at one of the many fine restaurants.
Port Douglas is the closest gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. There’s a Great Barrier Reef tour to suit all ability and experience levels, whether you want to go diving and snorkelling, fishing, or perhaps staying dry on a reef pontoon, our tours are so easily accessible that everyone can experience this extraordinary underwater world.
The World Heritage Daintree Rainforest is also within easy reach of Port Douglas. The lush green coastal strip of the Daintree, Cape Tribulation region to the north of Port Douglas is home to some of the oldest forests in the world and is a treasure trove of rare plant and animal species.
I hope you enjoyed the video article above Accomadation Port Douglas? Please pass this on to others in your favourite social media sites and bookmark so you can return again to hunt for more info and deals.
Happy Holidays
Image via WikipediaPerfect Condition for Coral Spawn on the Great Barrier Reef!
Forty-five miles due east of 
Talk with Doug Baird, a longtime marine biologist for Quicksilver and the company's environment and compliance manager, and he'll tell you the long voyage is well worth the time. 
"What I find most interesting -- and what I try to get folks to do, as well -- is just to follow a fish and see what it does," he said. "See how that fish interacts. See what kind of distance it covers. See what it's feeding on. ... Some fish will spend their entire life cycle in an area not much bigger than a coffee table. Clown fish, for example, tend to spend almost their entire life on one anemone." 
