Visit to the Hardy Reef & Helicopter Ride

Yesterday we went on a trip to 'Reefworld' which is a big stationary pontoon tied to the coral on Hardy Reef.  We had a ferry out to the reef which picked us up from Hamilton Island and took two hours to get to the reef.  Even thought it was a catamaran and had 'stabilisers' we both still felt a bit (or very) sick!

The Pontoon

When we got there it was very impressive, the array of different colours and the way it came out of nowhere.

The colours of the sea nearby

We booked a helicopter ride which took us past heart reef and 10 mins of flying over the reefs in the local area.  It was amazing! You can't appreciate the vastness of it and the complex shapes that are there until you are in the air.

Us both ready to board the helicopter.  The helicopter pontoon REALLY smelt bad due to all the sea gull poo on it!!!

Us in the helicopter

An idea of the kind of view we got!

Heart Reef :)

Aerial view of the edge of Hardy reef and the pontoon and boat

More reef pics

A good example of how vast the reef is, and this is just one reef!

Once we returned from the flight then we went into the underwater observatory and got a ride on the semi-submersible glass bottom boat thingy. Here we got to see the fish and coral along the reef edge.

The underwater observatory 

We had the opportunity for snorkelling but we didn't as it is stinger season and there had been lots of recent cases of Irukandji jelly fish stings which can kill you :/