Day 6 Wednesday 25/7/18


Day 6 Wednesday 25/7/18

OMG!!  Maritta woke up really excited.....before sunrise....

Big day today, MARITTA’s 60th BIRTHDAY ......and she’s going to swim with a very big fish, in fact the BIGGEST fish.

Sunrise from our balcony
Breakfast watching the sunrise
















Anyway, after a quick breakfast and dose of Travacalm.....we were picked up by the 3 Island Whale Shark Dive courtesy bus which today was driven by our guide for the day and photographer ....you have to multitask these days. After picking up a number of other passengers along the way we drove for about 40 minutes (50km) to the other side of the cape to Tantabiddi Boat Ramp.

A short trip by rubber ducky (named Nigel) saw us on our boat for the day, a 15M craft. There where about 20 tourists in total and 5 crew on board plus the spotter plane.
Nigel...our tender boat follows along
After donning the necessary wet suit and trying on flippers and goggles (Maritta not me - I am only along to watch) followed by the safety talk, we headed off a short distance, still inside the reef for a practice snorkel. This would sort the dolphins from the guppies...unfortunately Maritta discovered she had more in common with a goldfish!!

Crew explaining the days activities
 
Practice Snorkel, Photo:3 Islands Whale Shark Dive Tours

Started by using a flotation noodle but it was not making things any easier...it had to go.
(Maritta - bottom of the photo)














 

Practice completed we backtracked inside the reef to the exit channel and then with guidance from above (spotter plane not Heavenly) we found ourselves some whale sharks. Whilst this was happening the crew entertained us with an explanation of what to expect during the day, what various hand-signals meant and what to do if you got into trouble or anyone fell overboard.  They were keen to confirm this hasn’t happened yet and today would be no exception.

Whale sharks spotted and lined up - we were split into two groups and took turns swimming along with the whale sharks.
What odd fish are these?? Group 1 line up for their first whale shark experience!!
 
Whale shark!...need to swim/snorkel as quick as possible to keep up.  OMG this is amazing!
Waiting to get back on board after 1st swim.  We are all massively excited at meeting our first whale shark.
Maritta "slips" back into the water for her second swim
A rare Maritta fish - second experience...amazing!!




Coral, Photo 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive Tours
Whale Shark, Photo: 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive Tours
Mantaray - Photo: 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive Tours

Whale Shark, Photo 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive Tours
Maritta had 3 swims (~ 20 mins each) and was exhausted but so very happy with her swims.  Getting on and off the boat had taken its toll.  Sore and tired but very very happy.

After about an hour and a half and interacting with 2 different male sharks we went in search of Humpback whales. Also spotted a Dugong who came out to play briefly.

Humpback Whales.......







Whales everywhere
On the way back to the jetty we saw quite a few whales and also a hammer head shark.
It was a delightful day, even if like me you didn’t want to go swimming and we would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in this area.

Not sure what this beast is....Dale below!


Ningalou reef from the ocean side
Guess Who Photo: 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive Tours
 
No, its not a rare bird (or origami) its a local plant that is green when you pick it
but dries and looks like a bird

Had a wonderful dinner at the resort with lovely sunset.  In Melbourne it would be cold, probably wet so this was magic for the special day.  It was the absolute best way to spend a 60th birthday. 



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