Exploring the Reef as a non-swimmer
 

Question, what is the best way to explore GBR if you cant swim? Glass Bottom boat? Do they have any other ways? Is there any places were you can explore it where the water isnt too deep?

Heron Island has a boat called a semi-submersible that goes underwater. Also there are floation devices called "noodles" that are very good for snorkelling buoyancy if you can't swim. You can paddle with these things attached.

At Heron Island, at low tide you can wade out and look at the lagoon area with a cone-shaped, hand-held viewing thing.

What part of GBR reef do you mean verbalst? I could tell you about boats with semi-subs (better than a glass bottom boat, as you're down, or at least partly down, with fishes and coral and not just looking down on them)around Cairns, Port Douglas but am not much use for other parts. However, all boats supply life vests, fins, noodles, etc which keep you buoyant and its quite possible to snorkle without being a swimmer.

Hi,

The GBR really isn't somewhere where there are "places" you can go as in "places to go and stay". It's more about taking a boat out to the reef for a day.

Well, there are trips where you stay on the boat overnight but we won't go there just now.

One boat you can take that has the lot - glass bottom boat, subsea vehicle, noodles for snorkeling, etc, sails from Airlie Beach to a pontoon on the reef. And there's the bonus of sailing through the Whitsunday Islands too. Here it is:

http://www.cruisewhitsundays.com/gbra.aspx

Re your question about the water not being too deep. The areas those of us without our own boats are taken to for snorkelling should, I hope, always have us out of our depth. This is because otherwise people who fancy taking a break stand up and stand on the coral which is not a good thing at all!

There is a trip out of Cairns where you do your snorkeling off a small inshore island. Nice trip but unless you get well away from the beach (and therefore out of your depth) you don't see much underwater life.

Cheers.

Hi verbasIt,

This has been an issue for me also. When you say you can't swim does it also mean that you won't go in the water? I don't swim but am happy to go in the water - I can float etc. But I always either go in with a life jacket on or take a 'noodle'.

It is such a wonderful experience to snorkel and when you aren't a swimmer you think of it as an extreme sport. There's a great sense of accomplishment when you do it.

I think you will find that Hardys Reef has a 'rope tow' set up. That is you can haul yourself around a set route by hanging on to a rope - this could be an option for you.

But by and large I feel quite safe with the noodle (or a life jacket) and my other suggestion would be to always snorkel with a buddy.

I do hope you can get to experience the wonderful life under the sea.

Stormbird
I tried snorkling once in Jamaica and it completely freaked me out and I jumped right back in the boat. I only had a life jacket. Perhaps the life jacket, noodle and the rope tow would do the trick.

I really want to do it so I need to just toughin up and make it happen.

Thanks

Hi verbasIt,

I completely sympathise. Last year I was up at the reef and my snorkelling experience was fine. This year I must confess to having had a 'moment'. You know - you are breathing like 100 breaths a minute and just this feeling of panic. I just talk to myself and mentally slap my face and say come on you can do this. All my friends are very supportive and help me all the way.

This year we had a huge and I mean huge mauri rasse come up to us in the water oh man that is just a h o r r i b l e feeling. I must confess I hop skipped to the boat and the little rascal followed me but that was okay because now I am on the back steps. As it turned out the mauri rasse and I had a lovely time - he taking bread right out of my hands.

I do hope you can overcome your understandable fears to experience the joy you can get from snorkelling in our beautiful waters.

Stormbird, that Maori Wrasse wouldn't have been named "Wally" would it? They all seem to be, if you went on Reef Magic's trip to outer reef the huge Wally there is so friendly he gets out of the water and tries to sit on your lap when sitting on platform on side of pontoon. Talk about a fish out of water!

Hi Pat,

Well, Pat he certainly looked like a Wally to me. But no, we were on a friends boat and we were at Butterfly Bay. They do grow them big up there though don't they?

Next year I've decided I am probably only going to go up for a couple of nights on the boat. My husband absolutely loves the whole catamaran, sailing thing but I don't share his passion I'm afraid. I know he wants to do a really big sail and that is something I just don't enjoy. So he can go on ahead and they can pick me up at Hamilton Island and hopefully we can just hang around the nearby inlets and not go too far.

I'll definitely want to meet up with "Wally" again!

Congratulations, stormbird, for keeping at it with the snorkeling. It is quite disconcerting to meet up with a "Wally" no matter your expertise with the water! I had the same kind of panic attacks when I tried to take a scuba course, so can empathize. But snorkeling is so wonderful on the GBR, verbaslt, that I hope you can go for it in a way that is comfortable for you.
Sally in Seattle

Hi Verbaslt!

I completely identify with both you and Stormbird - I have "issues" with water as well. (comes from a childhood experience of nearly drowning when I was 7 - literally "going down for the third time", lifeguard dragging me onto shore (I was OUT) and performing CPR - spitting out water - the whole 9 yards just like we see on TV).

I can swim (my head knows that part), and I DO snorkel - when first getting in the water, I suffer the same thing as Stormbird was relating - I sound like Darth Vader and my heart is pounding.

I would NEVER go in without a vest, and have been know to use a noodle as well; even though I know I can swim, it's just an irrational fear.

And then...I see my first fish, and my fear evaporates and I just lose myself in the experience. So much so, that one time on the GBR I was following this angel fish (big as a tire), and my husband tapped me on the shoulder and said "where are you going? Fiji?" When I looked back, the boat was very very far away! Long swim back!

The other thing I should mention is that the people who work on these boats are very familiar with all sorts of people and their abilities (or lack thereof); the Aussies will help you, guide you, and stay with you if you need it.

Last year I was on Lady Elliot Island and the conditions were choppy - I got down the ladder, into the water and had a bad feeling - I was ready to head back up (afterall I've done this before), when a crew member talked me into trying - she held my hand as we floated out together and after a bit I was ok, gave the thumbs up and we went our separate ways - without her help, I probably would have given up and missed the best snorkelling experience of my life.

Like SnRSeattle, I once tried a "resort scuba dive" in Mexico (what WAS I thinking? I blame it on peer pressure)! It was a disaster - I had a panic attack and couldn't do it. But snorkelling - yeah, I can!

Last year I had clients who didn't swim and I related my experience to them, but they were firm on taking the glass bottom boat, which is fine, I wouldn't try to talk someone into doing something they were uncomfortable with - turns out, once they got there, they ended up doing it and had a great time (and felt empowered as well).

I've snorkelled in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico, but the GBR is the ultimate.

Hope this is helpful (now that I've "outted" myself as a Water Wimp). Please let us know the outcome!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Hi Melodie,

Sounds like our experiences are almost identical. I was about 5 when I nearly drowned. I can recall every detail still to this day, vividly. I ended up out of my depth and was struggling in the water and fortunately was rescued before exhaustion set in.

I could taste the salt water in my lungs for weeks after that event. Whilst I never learnt to swim propertly I can float and move my arms to propel myself. The feelings you describe are exactly what I feel.

I totally agree that it is worth the effort to try and overcome the fear as the reef is just too beautiful to try to describe. Having said that though, verbaslt I completely sympathise and empathise with your situation. Maybe some hypnosis could help?

Hi Storm!

Maybe we should start a support group! :)

I guess it's one of those life experiences that stays with you, as I remember everything in detail as well. I was in a lake, walking out, the water was only about chest level, when suddenly I hit a hole/pocket and went under. When I came back up, I clearly remember a man with a child on his shoulders standing juuust out of my reach and trying to grab for him, and going under again. Being a holiday weekend, it was crowded at the lake with lots of kids yelling and screaming, so no one around me noticed.

While I can swim, it's not my favorite thing to do! Even in a pool, I'm more of a "dipper" and stay where I can touch bottom!

But hey, good on us that we still manage to enjoy the Reef!

Best,

Melodie

This sounds like the thread for me! Only difference is: I'm VERY cautious in the water--BUT I don't have a good reason the way all of you do. Well--maybe I do--I am definitely not a strong swimmer.

We'll visit the reef toward the end of September. We've snorkeled several times, and enjoyed it. But all of them were in Hawaii and the water was like glass. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it if it is at all windy--(and I guess I'm kind of assuming that it WILL be windy!).

We have pretty much decided NOT to go to one of the big pontoons--we want a smaller group. But, now I'm wondering if that's a mistake.

Is there a trick to snorkeling in rough conditions? What's it like? Do all of the boats have vests? (I've snorkeled with just a kickboard--but never a noodle--not sure it would be enought for me).

We've been thinking about going with Calypso--partly because they have actual wetsuits if you want them (I like to stay warm!). I sort of got the impression that all they have is noodles for flotation, but I could be wrong.

Hi Caligirl,

Well, not being a strong swimmer is a good reason to be cautious, and I don't consider myself a STRONG swimmer..more like I can actually swim (if I had to).

No, it's not a mistake to go with a smaller operator; IMO, it's preferable - more one to one personal attention.

There's no "trick" in snorkelling in rough conditions...in fact, snorkelling doesn't involve any skill at all (which is why I can do it!) :) I mean, it's a no brainer really - you have a vest (or if you're really nervous, a vest AND a noodle) and you stick your head in the water and slowly paddle around with your fins..that's it.

The noodle WILL be enough for you - granted, I was holding onto mine with a death grip, but I don't care!

Yes, all of the boats will have vests (and noodles) and if you want to wear both so be it..whatever it takes to make you comfortable so you can enjoy the experience!

Regards

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Caligirl and others, all snorkelling trip crews have experience with nervous first time or inexperienced snorkellers. It's part of their job, to give instruction and confidence, and they do it very well. And there's always a watch on board keeping an eye on everyone.

Caligirl, Calypso out of Port Douglas is a great trip, but please don't choose it because of availability of wet suits, every ef operator supplies them. As Melodie has said, also life vests and noodles or other flotation devices. No-one can make promises about weather, late September should see end of SE winds, glassy sea surface conditions are common here in summer, later in year. And even if it is a bit bumpy on way out to reef, the reef itself offers protection from wind.

Stormbird, those Wallies are everywhere! Isn't Butterfly Bay at Hook Island ?(I've forgotten exactly) but what a wonderful area - years since have been there though.

Hi Pat,
Yes you are correct, it is Hook Island.

Absolutely beautiful there - I have had to overcome quite a bit to be able to do this sailing/snorkelling thing but Melodie used the very best word for it - it is 'empowering' when you can overcome these fears.

Our friends boat lives at Airlie Beach so that's where we always depart from - God was smiling on us the day he put Australia together!

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement!

I think that a few of the reef operators only have the lycra suits--and I thought that those protect against stingers and sun--but don't really keep you warm. For that reason, I've been trying to find operators with actual wet suits. Maybe this is not true. Do the lycra suits keep you warm, as well?

We have decided to go with a smaller operator anyway--but I know that Quicksilver has lycra suits for the snorkelers. They said that the wet suits are too bulky to carry for so many people.

caligirl,
Lycra suits do provide some warmth but not as much as a wetsuit.

Hi there Wizmatilda

I will be in Cairns from 7/30 to 8/2 so its coming up soon. I plan to spend the next few days playing around in a swimming pool to get myself comfortable with the water. I really want to snorkle but everytime I think about it, it scares me and I have to think of something else. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Send out positive vibes my way.

Verbaslt,

I am/will be sending out positive vibes, and if paddling around in the pool helps you, good...

it did not help me when I foolishly (with my history) let myself be talked into trying a "resort course" in SCUBA. They started me out in the pool, and I was FINE...of course, I was fine, I was in a pool! Where I could touch bottom - once I got into the ocean - forget it! I had a panic attack - between the water closing over my ears (the Darth Vader noise) and not being able to touch the bottom...well, I was a mess. Really stupid on my part to even try, I should have known better.

Snorkelling is a whole other matter. Rather than being weighed down and under the water, you're light, floating along, and that first time that you stick your face in the water and hear your own breathing, well, if you get freaked out, BOINK! in 2 seconds your head's out of the water! It's not the "commitment" of scuba when you're UNDER the water; you're just floating on top.

Since you really want to do this, my advice would be to let a staff member who's going to be in the water with the group know that you're a first time snorkeller and not so comfy in the water -- they will take care of you and build your confidence so you CAN do it and have a wonderful, amazing experience and a terrific sense of accomplishment as well.

We're rooting for you!!! Please post when you get back and let us know how it went!

Best,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Hi Verbaslt,
I've visited the GBR many times on vacation and have always had a fantastic time snorkelling, swimming etc.
But if you can't swim, you can get a great deal of pleasure just out of reef walking - that is to say strolling out on the reef at low tide and investigating the rock pools. You'll see some amazing sights, extraordinary marine creatures ranging from snails, crabs, shells, brilliantly colored miniature fish etc - all without having to use a snorkel because the shallow water is so clear.
When I stayed on Hayman Island, I went reef walking everyday - it was fantastic, and the late afternoon shadows made marvellous photographs on the reef. Just be sure to wear rubber or canvas shoes to protect your feet. You can see a photo I took on Hayman at http://www.flixya.com/photo/424289/S...ef,_Queensland
Best of luck with your plan to explore the reef.

Thirty years ago we went on a "snorkeling holiday" in the Seychelles. My mother could neither swim and was even scared of the water - a mask and snorkel were definately out of the question for her. BUT, she desperately wanted to see the coral and fish. She took some swimming lessons to overcome her fear of the water and get some basic floating ideas. Dad then got her a tube - by today's standards a noodle would be a much better option. Dad also got a deep baking tin - cut the bottom out and inserted a piece of clear perspex. Sealed it up so that water could not leak in from below. Mom took to the water in her tube, pushed the baking tin's base just below the surface and .... was amazed at what she could see. We could not snorkel in peace after that with all the Oohs and ahs coming from her.

I am sure you can make a plan and experience the GBR for yourself! Good luck!

I have not ever felt comfortable in the water at all let alone the Ocean . I recently snorkelled off the beach at Lizard Island using a noodle and a life jacket.

I started in very shallow water close to the beach and worked my way out to deeper water with the helps of my husband and guide.

I was amazed at how much buoyancy I actually had. After a half an hour practising I was very happy to actually kick out to the reef where I spent several hours over the course of the day. The reef is not that deep, you could actually touch it. I know you should not stand on it but if I had problems I would have been able to sit on it to regain my breath. As things turned out I just drifed across it with out any prblems at all.

I must say having other swimmers close to me initially was very reassuring.

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