Reefworld, Whitsundays, in January.

Title Kiana

Although many yachts cruise the Whitsundays, the Kiana is one of the few that visit the outer barrier reef. It's also a dive boat. I was keen, so we booked a three day cruise.

Unfortunately, Jasmijn was not quite as keen. What she really wanted to do was stay on the Fantasea 'Reefworld' pontoon on the outer barrier reef. So, although she strenuously denies it, I think she somehow arranged the first engine breakdown in 17 years on board the Kiana, requiring us to be towed all the way back to the mainland by our poor, stressed captain. (Actually, he was a very cool dude and, as with all the crew, extremely nice).

In the end we got a lovely day out on the water, with lunch, for free.

Yacht

Island 1

Title Reefworld

We then immediately booked onto Reefworld. A massive high-speed catamaran makes the 6 hour round trip to the outer reef daily, passing by Hamilton Island here, en route.

Hamilton Island mega-yacht.

Reefworld, anchored at Hardy Reef, is the largest pontoon floating on the outer barrier reef.

Reefworld from the water

It has a dorm room with four bunks, and a double room. These is apparently the only reef pontoon accommodation worldwide. We felt incredibly privileged to be able to stay overnight on the reef.

We were not alone. George the Groper also lives under the pontoon (which has been anchored there for 17 years). He's about a quarter of a ton and eats small sharks, and other fish, after attempting to appear as harmless as possible and working his way up close to them. He has half a dozen girlfriends which appear only around 150 kg. This is Gorge's lair.

One of George's girlfriends.

This sea turtle visited briefly. Note the chunk out of its shell - perhaps from a shark.

The pontoon has a fabulous underwater viewing gallery, from which this shot was taken.

To actually enter the water, stinger suits are almost mandatory during the jellyfish season (summer). Irukandji jellyfish stings are extremely painful and rarely fatal.

JdeB

Schools of fish seem to hover permanently below the pontoon.

JdeB with fish 2

Fish school 1

The pontoon is anchored in 60 m of water, next to Hardy Reef - which offers beautiful snorkelling.

Coral 1

Snorkeler

Coral purple

Coral pink

Coral purple-tipped