(18-05-10) One of the major goals of the diving world, where the splendour of coral is added to a great variety of life forms, large and small. Everything fits into the magical world of the Australian Great Barrier.

    The Great Barrier Reef is the highest concentration of coral in the world, a sort of living wall of about 2,300 km long, located on the northeast coast of Australia. It is the world's largest living structure and visible from space, but paradoxically it is made up of tiny coral polyps. Around it, one of the biggest underwater shows of the world is being developed. An experience that every diver should live, at least, once in life.

Coral gardens Ribbon Reef

    Ribbon Reef is a reef, o better said, a series of ten large longitudinal reefs that extends over a total of over 100 km and perfectly represents what this vast ecosystem reef is. Beginning its exploration from the south we can enjoy authentic gardens where hard corals such as acropora, always present, are in perfect conditions. Its location further north has prevent them from the harmful bleaching that can be seen in more southern areas.

    On the other hand, legal measures of protection taken strictly on cruise ships, along with citizenship of divers, allow us to keep enjoying this beautiful submerged nature. Is it a wonder "let us go" by the events and enjoy the huge variety of life forms that lie in this huge aquarium. It is fun to explore the recesses of the reef and find not only different fish species but also whole families competing in a waste of colour and design.

    If we look at the blue we can see some small white tip sharks patrolling and some populated shoals of carangids. On the contrary, on the bottom there is show with shell shape. Numerous giant clams of different sizes and colours appear to be the guardians of the secrets of the depths, such as the huge giant guitar fish rising in our wake. A sample of what we will see.

Cod Hole, grouper territory

    Undoubtedly we are on one of the true emblems of the diving in the Great Barrier. If its name does not give us a clue of the place we are in, if we mention the resident most famous species: the potato grouper (Epinephelus tukula), there is no doubt about the place. It is a true paradise for photographers and divers in general, to enjoy these enormous and curious animals is a true pleasure. This site, located inside Ribbon Reef, began to be known in the 70’s, thanks to the pictures taken by Ron and Valerie Taylor. The protective measures and the feeding, at times, have ensured loyalty of a population of these large fish, calculated, depending on the time of the year, between 6 and 30 specimens.

    The potato grouper is unmistakable in appearance and size. Predominantly grey, a stained design highlights, perfect for camouflage on the reef. But perhaps what most attracts attention is its size. It can be over 1.5 m long and weight 150 kg, becoming one of the largest reef fish. The quality for consumption, similar to the rest of the family, has led it to a very delicate situation, and on the Great Barrier there is one of its greatest populations.

    Like the rest of the serranidae, they have a curious nature to the diver in non-harassment situations. Here also feeding sessions are practiced, so animals often seek the diver. It is a delight to enjoy, quietly, without oppression by these enormous specimens, a real trophy for the gallery of underwater images of our retina.

    In any case Cod Hole offers other attractions, often cornered because of the imposing presence of large animals. A very well conserved reef and different fish shoals or, more recently, the discovery of small pygmy seahorses, give an idea of the richness in the place, where the marine diversity in its extremes joins, from the biggest to the smallest.

Light House Bommie, meeting the snake

    “Bommies” are small coral formations that arise from the bottom, usually not very deep. We could say that they are small coral towers. Its relative isolation makes life there focus on very little space, which offers the diver very "profitable” dives.

    In this case, despite the abundance of life, our lens is focused on one species that we have never seen. We could say that we enter in one of those categories of animals with bad reputation, in general, although mithyfied by many cultures. We are talking about sea snakes. We are in one of the places to observe the Aipisurus laveis, which is the sea snake living in these waters. It is greenish yellow and about 1 m long, and it is usually found in the cracks in the coral. We travel the bommie searching it, guarded by a small bank of barracudas. We scrutinize every corner, which helps us to discover a huge Wobbegong shark dozing quietly in his cave.

    Finally, between a clump of coral our protagonist appears, gliding gracefully among the sharp coral structures. Its flattened tail allows it to swim with good performance. Unlike the often shy character of its fellow on land, sea snake is curious, especially with its reflection in the dome of the housing and the flashes. It has a terribly harmful poison, the most toxic of nature, but it is not aggressive at all with the diver. A tolerance lesson.

Stevies Bommie, life in full swing

    We could say that if we had no time to visit the Great Barrier and we could only dive once, it should be in Steves Bommie, the perfect place to get an idea of what these waters keep. It is difficult to find more variety in smaller space. It is complicated to focus attention on something, as everywhere we look at will discover a new surprise to us. If we are dedicated to the small world, we can see the always interesting loaf fishes, with different colours, which with their shape and quietness are ignored by their preys and predators, as they are moved by rhythm of waves. If we talked about poison of snakes above, now we can discover the deadly stone fishes, perfectly camouflaged, almost impossible to see.

    Going down a bit more, large schools of yellow snapper swimming in unison, like a real underwater ballet, will be the protagonists in magical moments, especially when the sun is reflected in their bodies. While gray sharks patrol incessantly the blue, ready to intervene at every opportunity. A turtle crosses the blue to go to rest in the sheltered cave.

    The whole area presents another interesting phenomenon that occurs in summer. It is the migration of Minke whales or lesser rorqual moving in recent months along the Great Barrier Reef. They are small (about 8 m) and are very curious, so they often interact with the divers who stay near the boats holding on ropes and only with snorkel, not to disturb the animals.