Feeling Free In the Great Barrier Reef

Sailing out to the Great Barrier Reef and diving with Ocean Freedom is an experience I will never forget, not only because it was my first time diving, but because of what I learned during my day on the Reef. I learned invaluable things about the ocean, the Great Barrier Reef, and myself.

To say I had a fear of fish would be an understatement - I was terrified and never planned to put on a mask and diving gear as long as I lived. That all changed when I arrived in Australia and realized, I am in the GREAT BARRIER REEF. This is an opportunity people dream of having and I have it right in front of me. It was then I knew I had to take the plunge. Literally! So I kept an open mind and spent the morning sailing into the open sea while being served tea, coffee, biscuits, and the occasional splash of salt water as the boat sped off towards our destination.

After listening to a safety and skills briefing we had arrived. I stood at the front of the boat and took it all in. There was a barracuda swimming beside us, and nothing but sun, sea, and sky for miles. I got suited up and without giving myself a second to realize what I was about to do, jumped into the water - flippers and all! I was going to scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef and had no idea what awaited me down there. Since it was an introductory dive, one of the incredible instructors with Ocean Freedom was there the whole time to guide us through, which is tremendously reassuring when you don’t know which way you’re facing or where the boat is! Since you know you’re well taken care of you’re able to experience the reef in it’s entirety – worry free. I had never seen anything like it. So many different types of coral and fish. I even held a sea cucumber!

Shortly after the dive we had lunch - which was probably more food than I'd seen in weeks. A backpackers dream! Spent some time snorkelling with turtles, Nemo's, and Dory's! Thank goodness for GoPro's and waterproof cameras - something I 100% recommend you invest in for this. Even if it's just a daily rental - you'll want these photos many years down the road as proof that you were adventurous enough to throw yourself into the waters of the Pacific and dive in one of the worlds wonders.

The Great Barrier Reef is truly a magnificent and magical place. It is a whole new world down there and something I wish everyone on this planet could have the privilege of doing. So, if you haven't caught the travel bug by now...take the plunge. You won't regret it!