Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

The marine biologist conducted a fish feed at the northern end of Marine World to introduce some of the resident fish to all the guests. Our ever friendly maori wrasse-Wally delighted all with his antics of territorial behaviour, scattering the red bass, blue lined trevally and paddle tailed snappers away from the action.  Guests’ snorkelling were able to get up close and personal to the wild life as the marine biologist explained the ecology of different species.

The forecast for the next few days has improved greatly compared with the last couple of months.  Marine World, in only 90 mins from Cairns on our fast stable catamaran and its position tucked in behind the reef is the perfect refuge with spacious decks, no crowds, and a full 5 hours to relax or take advantage of the full range of activities available.

Water Temperature: 27C
Underwater Visibility: 15m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: SE winds 15 knots
Low Isles: SE winds 10 knots
Green Island: SE winds 21 knots
Cairns Airport: SE winds 13 knots    
                   
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm
Thursday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Friday: SE winds 10-15 knots
Saturday: SE winds 10-15 knots

Canapé classes at Orpheus Island

Orpheus Island Resort - Orpheus Island Resort News Feed

Renowned for its fine dining, Orpheus Island Resort on the Great Barrier Reef, is now offering canapé classes for guests. Executive chef, Lance Canning says the key to success is to limit each canapé to three ingredients - contrasting colours, textures and taste. Lance demonstrates three to four examples and then it’s time for the guests to create their own culinary delights. Think Crispy tamarind duck breast on an Asian pancake with snow peas, Roaring forties blue toasted walnut and apple wonton or Smoked salmon chevre and fried capper roulade.

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

With the present conditions the most comfortable option when visiting the reef is to access it direct from Cairns, spending as little time as possible travelling. Reef Magic cruises to our stable Marine World pontoon in just 90 minutes where guests enjoy a spacious, stable base from which to explore the reef.

Highlights in the water today included Giant Maori Wrasse, Trevally, Schools of colourful Sweetlip, some Alligator Gar Fish and 3 Black Whalers on the Outer Reef wall. Even with the overcast conditions of late, the sun manages to shine through on the reef, keeping the water temperature at a very comfortable 26c.

The guided Marine Snorkel Tours continue to prove extremely popular…the afternoon tours head to the outer reef Wall of Moore Reef (complete with all sorts of flotation devices) and spend the next hour casually swimming back to Marine World with our Marine Biologist pointing out the wonders of the reef en route…there is no better way to see some of the most colourful and best preserved corals in the region and learn a little on the way!

Water Temperature: 26c
Underwater Visibility: 10m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today:-
Marine World: SE winds 18 knots
Low Isles: SE winds 19 knots
Green Island: SE winds 23 knots
Cairns Airport: SE winds 16 knots    
                   
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm
Sunday: SE winds 20-30knots
Monday: SE winds 20-30 knots
Tuesday: SE winds 20-25 knots

Reef Magic

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

Guests were meet with superb conditions on the water toady at Marine World; 60klms due East of Cairns at the Moore Reef Site.  Activities on and under the water offered guests an exciting opportunity to spot some of the wondrous native marine life: Pencilled Surgeonfish, Half-circled Angelfish, Schooling Bannerfish, Black & Pineapple Sea cucumbers, Giant Clams & various Hard & Soft Corals.

Some Interesting Facts about Whale Sharks…
The whale shark is the biggest shark and the biggest fish. It is NOT a whale. It has a huge mouth which can be up to 4 feet (1.4 m) wide. Its mouth is at the very front of its head (not on the underside of the head like in most sharks). It has a wide, flat head, a rounded snout, small eyes, 5 very large gill slits, 2 dorsal fins (on its back) and 2 pectoral fins (on its sides). The spiracle (a vestigial first gill slit used for breathing when the shark is resting on the sea floor) is located just behind the shark's eye. Its tail has a top fin much larger than the lower fin.  The whale shark has distinctive light-yellow markings (random stripes and dots) on its very thick dark gray skin. Its skin is up to 4 inches (10 cm) thick. There are three prominent ridges running along each side of the shark's body.  This enormous shark is a filter feeder and sieves enormous amounts of plankton to eat through its gills as it swims.

Water Temperature: 26 C
Underwater Visibility: 25m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of: 4pm Today
Marine World: ESE winds 12 knots
Low Isles: SE winds 14 knots
Green Island: SE winds 19 knots
Cairns Airport: ESE winds 16 knots          
             
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Friday: SE winds 15-20 knots
Saturday: SE winds 15-20 knots
Sunday: SE winds 15-20 knots

Reef Report

Reef Magic - Reef Magic News Feed

Fortunately, the weather gods are looking favourably upon us, producing beautiful conditions on the Outer Barrier Reef. Clean clear skies and wind between 10 to 15 knots, it doesn’t get much better. The fish surely seem to enjoy these conditions. Schools of Sweetlips, Damsels, Silver Bait fish, Yellow Tailed Fusiliers, Red Bass, Snapper and some Hump Headed Parrotfish were seen by snorkellers throughout the day. This large array of colourful marine life made snorkelling and diving conditions close to perfect. Certified divers along the outer wall were also lucky enough to sight LOADS of small colourful Nudibranches, turtles as well as some reef sharks.

The Semi-Submarine tours today show-cased much of the above mentioned marine life, including Reef Sharks and Barricuda. The tour also showed the large array of beautiful hard and soft corals to be found around Marine World, ensuring that guest’s that did not enter the water snorkelling got some great memories, photo opportunities and information about the ecology of the Great Barrier Reef.

Water Temperature: 26C
Underwater Visibility: 20m

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS
As of 4pm Today

Marine World: SE winds 10 knots
Low Isles: SE winds 12 knots
Green Island: SE winds 14 knots
Cairns Airport: SE winds 14 knots  
                     
3 DAY OUTLOOK
As per Bureau of Meteorology-Cooktown to Cardwell at 3pm

Monday: SE/NE winds 10-15 knots
Tuesday: SE/NE winds 10-15 knots
Wednesday: SE/NE winds 10-15 knots

Clown Fish Balloon Launch

Raging Thunder - Ballooning - Raging Thunder News Feed

Raging Thunder Adventures are pleased to announce the arrival of one of 2 new iconic Aussie Balloon Envelopes which have commenced flying over the Atherton Tablelands. The well known image of the Clown Fish is symbolic with the Great Barrier Reef and enhances Raging Thunder’s ongoing international and domestic marketing activities in promoting Cairns as the destination from which to explore the reef.

When inflated, the new B-400 envelope stands at 28.7 metres high (or 15 storys) and can carry up to 20 people and one Pilot per flight, making it one of the largest commercial Balloon’s available. As the premier envelope in Raging Thunder’s current fleet of 6, the Clown Fish will fly every day (excluding scheduled maintenance days) as the first flight of each day.

On completion of the Balloon flight, passengers are returned to the Mareeba Heritage Centre which is home to some fascinating displays on the history of the local region that passengers can explore at no additional cost. They also enjoy a delicious hot and cold champagne buffet breakfast, and get to participate in a unique Aussie Animal Experience which includes an educational presentation by well known animal handler, Mark Culleton, and the opportunity to handle a range of native animals such as a crocodile, wedge tailed eagle, python, owl and the endangered spotted quoll.

A competition to name the new Clown Fish Balloon will be announced soon, and a second Aussie icon Balloon Envelope will take to the skies shortly.

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