Day 3: Port Douglas, Australia

Our morning began with an early breakfast at 8 am followed by an hour bus ride north of Cairns to the town of Port Douglas. Port Douglas is the closest point of Australia that has access to the Great Barrier Reef.

It was a beautiful scenic drive on a highway that hugged the ocean side. Upon arrival in Port Douglas we went directly to the marina where we boarded a Quicksilver cruise liner. The sail out to the reef took approximately 90 minutes, giving students plenty of time to sun bathe (bake) on the upper deck. The Quicksilver company has a large diving platform on the reef where you can dive, snorkel or sit on the deck and enjoy a seafood buffet.

There was also a semi-submersible sub that we could go out on that had a lower deck with windows allowing those who chose not to get in the water, the chance to view the reef and marine life.To avoid jellyfish stings, we all wore blue, full-body wetsuits that made us all look like smurfs.


We were out on the reef most of the day and got back into Cairns around 5:30pm. Students broke off into groups based on eating locations and headed out for an evening on the town.