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SLEEPING AT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Julette Alon
Sep 5, 2015
3 min read

Flashback to 2013 and I had the opportunity to sleep at the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Reefworld at Hardy Lagoon pontoon, to be exact. It started with a jaunt to this pontoon in the middle of nowhere after setting sail from Airlie Beach. Day activities included snorkeling and diving the Great Barrier Reef, viewing underwater life via the semi-submersible, swimming, and flying on scenic flights. Amazing experience to be out there in the middle of nowhere: just you, the pontoon, the deep (and dark!) and endless ocean, and the wide expanse of the GBR teeming with marine life.

The Marchesa Travels: Solo Female Flashpacking Adventures

Reefworld: My digs for the 2 days, 1 night in the middle of nowhere

Truly an awe-inspiring experience to view the coral chasms: our snorkel master dropped us away from the pontoon; just the small group hanging on to lifesavers (or not), the gentle lapping of the waves on the reef and the gazillions of fishes, corals, giant clams and yes, sharks. One curious little fish even pecked on my snorkel gear then quickly swam away after perhaps realizing that a human was attached to it! CUTE! ... I meant the fish, not my snorkeling leader below. Though he was cute, too. ;-)

Our Merman, er, snorkeling leader :)

One of the best experiences during this 2D/1N trip was the heli-scenic flight by Hamilton Island Air, which took me on a bird's eyeview of the reef system. Miles and miles of ocean reefs pulsating with aquatic life! I learned that only 50% of which have been discovered and identified.... That means we can still keep discovering new marine species in this lifetime and the next.

My ride for the day

Nothing compares to seeing the Great Barrier Reef extending as far into the horizon as you can see: I could clearly see different shades of ocean blues and various reef shapes & dimensions. Most famous of them all is Heart Reef - it really does exist! It was such an awe-inspiring experience to see this masterpiece that the old couple with me on the flight had tears in their eyes. It's one of those natural attractions that will make you realize that there's so much beauty in this world, I just cannot deal.:) I should make that a blog hashtag: #ICANNOTDEAL. In all caps, with matching tears of happiness.

Reefs teeming with life

HEART REEF!! IT EXISTS!! ;)

When the sun went down, the reef / pontoon was both magical & eerie, blackness everywhere I couldn't see nor capture much, but can hear the soothing waves that rocked me to sleep in my tiny floating cabin in the ocean. I didn't have pictures at night as my camera couldn't capture anything, anyway. This was the first time that I saw celestial bodies painting the sky in a kaleidoscope of sparkling lights: because there was no light pollution, it was breathtaking to see swirls of stardust above me, I wish I had brought my more powerful DSLR during this overnight trip to capture the moment. Or maybe it was better to just sear it into my memory.

Miles and miles of reef before I sleep

As corny as it may sound, being out in the Outer Great Barrier Reef gave me a sense of tranquility and oneness with the universe. I just felt so away from it all that nothing else mattered except this beautiful natural wonder around me.

NATURE TRULY IS AWESOME.

#ICANNOTDEAL ;-)