We took advantage of a few still days to head out to the reefs off Cairns. The water is warming up, about 24.5deg and the snorkelling was great. I had heard about the giant clams on the Barrier reef, and finally got to see a few out here – HUGE! The regular ones are about 10- 15cm, and these are over half a meter!  

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing coral shapes

 

  

 

 

We also had a chance to take a mooring ball off Michaelmas Cay – a small sandy outcrop where thousands of seabirds nest – quite a lot of noise and not always the most pleasant smell – but what a view!  We also had a collection of “tame” fish behind the boat, hoping for scraps. There were two huge black permits that would follow us as we drove around in our dinghy – just like pet dogs.