There are many ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef.
Some visitors prefer day trips aboard larger vessels like Ocean Spirit Cruises, which can accommodate a variety of ages and swimming capabilities. On the other hand, there are travelers like myself who have a burning desire to journey farther and dive deeper into this UNESCO World Heritage Center.
The family-owned Coral Sea Dreaming succeeds in delivering this niche with fantastic 2-day, small group excursions.
We set out early in the morning from Cairns, Australia with Captain Jan at the helm of his 52-foot yacht. Jan is the co-owner of Coral Sea Dreaming, a company he founded with his wife, Claire. She is responsible for the company's attractive mermaid logo, which adorns the vessel with wooden carvings and other depictions.
The vibe onboard is pretty laid back. As we sailed, we chillaxed to Jan's finely tuned playlist, which includes music by artists like Portishead, Outkast, Sublime and Bob Marley. There are places on deck where guests can lay in the sun or even take a nap in the hammock.
I spent most of most of my time socializing with other passengers in a shaded area that doubles as the ship's bridge.
It's here we were able to chat with Captain Jan as he commandeered the steel yacht. It's clear he knows the vessel and waters like the back of his hand. And why shouldn't he? For years, he worked onboard before he and his wife inherited it from the previous owner.
While Jan has a more hands-on role with Coral Sea Dreaming, Claire works behind these scenes managing the business aspects. One responsibility they share is caring for the newest member of their family, a child who will no doubt grow up to be a scuba diving, sailor extraordinaire.
The atmosphere of family comradery extends to their vessel, which can only accommodate a maximum 12 passengers per tour. Coral Sea Dreaming requires three crew personnel to operate, which means a favorable 4:1 ratio of passengers to crew. This small group setting inspires a more intimate experience and is the closest one can get to sailing on a private charter or semi-private yacht without the hefty price tag.
The tour is ideal for singles or couples, as well as families or groups up to twelve people.
The next morning, we traveled to another site called The Whale, comprised of subsites that include The Whale Boomie and a wall. Cindy supervised as I scuba dive. About thirty feet deep, we spot Clown Fish frolicking among the anemones, a species that's come to be more commonly known as "Nemo".
It was my last encounter before lunch (all meals included), after which we embarked upon our return voyage to Cairns, fully content with our deep dive into the Great Barrier Reef.
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