After enjoying a stunning sunrise and scenic drive along the coastline, we made it to Port Douglas to check in at the Reef Marina (8AM). We were greeted by the wonderful crew onboard Poseidon before tucking in to some light refreshments as we cruised out to the reef. 

On the cruise out we received our dive briefing. My partner and I chose to do some snorkeling at the first location, then dive at the second site and snorkel again on the third. As certified divers, we were lucky enough to do a drift dive. We went out on their tender (small boat) and were dropped off at the reef wall, enjoying our dive as we drifted along with the current which eventually returned us back to the main vessel. Poseidon is the only day vessel in the region that can do this, subject to weather conditions. It was so much fun!

At the last reef site there is a marine biologist who does a marine life presentation and snorkel tour that you can join. The marine bio was super informative and charismatic, teaching us so much about the reef!

We enjoyed an incredible day of diving and snorkeling, seeing a wide variety of marine species. We swam with green sea turtles and saw cuttlefish, an octopus, SO many cheeky little 'nemos' (clown fish), parrotfish, barracuda and were totally blown away by the lush garden of staghorn corals at 'The nursery' (our second reef location). These reefs were teeming with marine life. We were incredibly lucky to enjoy such an amazing day.

There was a tropical buffet lunch served at the second site and some cakes, cheese wine and biscuits on the cruise back. We were even lucky enough to see dolphins on our way home as we passed by the Low Isles.

We arrived back in at the Marina by 4:30PM, but were in no rush to go home as we had our own car. So, we went for a walk down to the beach, then came back to the Marina and enjoyed a beer at Hemmingway's (the local craft brewery) watching the sun set over the Reef Marina. Pure magic!