I know, what a waste, I love it but I really am not confident in water! <BR> <BR>We will be staying in Palm Cove and want to go to the Outer Reef. Please can anyone recommend a suitable cruise, i.e., one which will still be good if I am not underwater with my fins on. <BR> <BR>Also operators who do not overcrowd the boats/cats. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>bee <BR> <BR>

Hi bee, I'm not confident in the water, I can't snorkle and even if I did I couldn't see because I wear glasses and also I don't like crowds, that said I went on a Quicksilver trip to the GBR and had a ball. <BR>The boat was like a hotel lounge and the trip to the platform was smooth comfortable and didn't feel at all crowded. it was hard to believe that there were so many people on board. <BR>Even once we arrived at the platform there were so many different activities, we never felt pushed around or crowded. <BR>I somehow managed to get up enough courage to try my first go at snorkling. (BTW I'm 65)I was supplied with a floaty vest as well as flippers and also optical corrected goggles. <BR>There was a rope in the water to hold onto, but eventually i got enough courage to venture out without holding on. It was an unbelievable experience. <BR>There was a continuous delicious buffet for about 2 hours.So you had plenty of time to do lots of activities as well as eat. <BR>There was a glass bottomed boat leaving every 15 mins to tour around the reef <BR>There was also a glass viewing tunnel to walk along <BR>If you were a more serious diver there was a boat that took you further out from the platform <BR>If you had never tried scuba diving there was a beginners group for you to have a go under very controlled circumstances,(I wonder if I should try that next time) <BR>regardless of going in the water or just staying on the platform or lounging in the boat, it was a great experience. <BR>So I recommend Quicksilver whether going in the water or not. I just can't wait to go again one year <BR> Maggie

Why not just go to Green Island where you can get in a submarine type thing and see the underwater reef and get some goggles and walk around in shallow water and stick your head under the water to see the fish. <BR>I did this and loved it. Could have stayed all day and all the next day too. <BR>Most of the outer reefs have these semi-submersables which you can view the reef from. Don't feel silly about not swimming because a snorkle and goggles and flippers are all you need to have a good time.

Neither of us are good swimmers and both of us get seasick, so decided on a trip to Green Island rather than a longer trip to the outer reef. It was only about 45 minutes from Cairns - we did a trip on a glass bottomed boat, had a walk around the island and had a very pleasant day. You can also go out on a semi-submersible and snorkel off the beach - very shallow. <BR>You can choose between a half-day or full-day trip.

Thanks to everybody for all this useful and re-assuring advice. <BR> <BR>One last question (on this topic, anyway!) - we arrive in Sydney 26 December and Palm Cove 7 January - do we need to book cruises and tours in advance? <BR> <BR>Thanks again, <BR>Bee

No you won't have to book in advance because there are many large boats, small boats and cats ( take up to about 400 people I think) that go out to the reef and it is not the peak season at that time of year anyway. <BR>I hope you are going to rent a car when you are there because that is the only way to really see everything that the tropical north has to offer and Palm Grove is out of Cairns a bit too. A car will be less costly than taking tours. <BR>Also look at some of the tours out to some of the islands off Port Douglas. <BR>Finally make sure that you get a window seat on the plane from Sydney to Cairns because if its a clear day the reef is spectacular. <BR>Have a great holiday <BR>

hi bee, <BR>i, too, am not a swimmer (neither is my sister), and i went snorkeling for the first time this past january. <BR>we stayed in port douglas and booked our reef trip from there, asking for water conditions first. hopefully you will find a day when the water is at 15 knots or lower, to lessen seasickness on the boat. <BR>we booked with the aristocat. it's a newer, small boat that holds 45 people but at that time of year (off-season), we only had 18. the crew was great. there was one guide who took people on scuba dives and another who stayed in the water with the non swimmers. after a while i became more confident in the water and strayed away to explore on my own. i had a life jacket and a board, and with fins and the salt water, i was pretty buoyant. <BR>it was an incredible experience to see all that sea life. i was pretty much psyching myself into not freaking out in the water, since i'd never see anything if i didn't snorkel. i'd recommend going to your local pool with goggles or something and just get used to the water before your trip. you'll love the experience so much, you'll want to do it again soon! <BR>tina