OMG!!!! Awesome day!!!!!!!
Early start 710am pick up which was bit of shock to system - quick bus ride to Abel point Marina and 8 am we boarded our 37 metre boat for our 3 hr journey to the barrier reef. We had beautiful journey through some of the Whitsunday islands stopping at daydream island ( stunning stunning paradise) to pick up more people and then on through the shipping channel (with no ships!!!) which was very choppy and resulted in a rather green sammy!!!
Then onwards to knuckle point reef and a permanently anchored pontoon where we were to spend the next 4 hours.
As soon as we got on the pontoon we headed for the semi-sub and had a ride out over the reef in that which was a great introduction to the plants and wildlife - all just stunning. Just seems like millions of different species of coral so many different shapes and colours etc. the boys loved this with all the fish swimming by their noses!!!
Then we got all togged up in our stinger suits and snorkel gear and headed out into the water. The twins came out a couple of times with me but were none too keen but at least they can say they snorkelled the great barrier reef when they were three!!! Sammy absolutely loved it and though it was amazing which it certainly was to be so close up to the reef and all its fish and wildlife.
So after about an hour of snorkelling the twins had a bit of a play in the paddling pool enclosure on side of pontoon and then we headed off for scrummy lunch and then off in glass bottomed boat for another trip out on the reef - a great way for little ones to see all the fish and the clams which were beautiful!
The boys all went down into viewing chamber under pontoon while i sneaked off for another quick snorkel. Was fab - I found nemo and his dad!! And followed the beautiful maori wrasse for a while. Can't express how fab it all was think I may have a new hobby!!!
We could have tried scuba diving but sadly too expensive. Could also have had helicopter ride over reef but that bit pricey too!!

The whole day was fab - the crew were brilliant and so so friendly and we were really fortunate that a boat that can hold 320 people only had about 60 on so loads of room. And also apparently the conditions were about as perfect as it gets out there for diving and snorkelling so v v lucky.
We headed off the pontoon around 3 ish and set sail for home. Even more choppy in shipping lane - lots of people sick!! And lovely cruise back to Marina. All three boys crashed out!!
Back to camp site for bacon butties for the kids. Perfect.
Couple of long days driving ahead but some stunning memories to keep us going - photos to follow.

Ps forgot to tell you Charlies top comment yesterday at wildlife park. We were watching the 4 metre crocs and arun said to Charlie 'see told you you wouldn't want to cuddle one of them he's too big' to which Charlie replied 'no but I'd like to ride it!!!!' OMG Charlie croc hunter is born!!!!