Business
9 December, 2025
Tourists get lowdown on Reef before taking the plunge
PASSENGERS onboard Pure Snorkelling Adventures are getting a 30-minute briefing on how to look for Nemo and to meet two underwater grand dames before they leave Cairns.
The reef operator has launched Cairns’ only marine biology presentation available before passengers depart for the Great Barrier Reef with a 30-minute reef talk ensuring guests fully appreciate the marine life during their two hours of snorkelling.
Lead marine biologist Kiara Brown, who has recently graduated as a skipper, gives the interactive talk at 10.30am each day before the 40-seat vessel departs at midday for a fast one-hour afternoon trip to the outer Great Barrier Reef.
“We take our guests to spectacular Briggs Reef, 24 nautical miles southeast of Cairns, which boasts extraordinary coral cover and two giant clams that are large enough to be approaching 100 years of age,” she said.
“These grand dames are side by side which is unusual. It’s as though they chose to spend their twilight years together so they can watch the world go by and judge everything that comes past them.
“They sometimes have surprise visitors. We’ve had an epaulette shark and the occasional humphead Maori wrasse cruise past, but more common visitors are flowery cod, wrasses and beautiful parrot fish weaving around the stunning hard and soft corals.
“Our guests really appreciate discovering our little clowns, the four types of anemone fish that can be seen at Briggs Reef.
“Our talk also helps guests to understand the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and the importance of reef conservation before they join the marine biologist snorkelling on the Reef.”
Pure Snorkelling departs the Cairns Marlin Marina at 12pm with only 40 people and is $199, including afternoon tea and new quality snorkelling gear.
