Guest blog post by Alive Outside Snorkelling Safari participant, Shreya (12 years old)
The waves slithered onto my feet as I took a step closer. The sun was scorching and the water was cooling, just a perfect snorkelling day. I splashed into the water and slipped on my fins and started walking backwards, so that I didn’t fall.
We all gathered around the Dive2U instructor who explained stuff about the coral and marine life. If you fear stingrays like I did before I met the fabulous EcoCentre team, don’t fear them! They won’t harm you unless you step on them, which has only happened once in 20 years. The Dive2U team zipped up the trust that you’ll return alive!
We began our snorkelling; due to the wet suit you could float, and with the snorkel mask you could breathe underwater. We had two official goals: to have a wonderful snorkel while observing the marine life, and to look out for pollution.
As we were snorkelling we came across a reef and spotted a teeny tiny cute little turtle. There were many of these brown striped fish around, and these transparent fish. As I swam I felt like a whale swimming in the ocean!
Just then I spotted a wallet and a Medicare card. I told our guide, and he dived in and grabbed those things. There was a debit card too, but it had expired in 2005.
We swam for a long time spotting some starfish. As we were returning I spotted a medium-sized stingray. I was so amazed, it was just fabulous. I immediately informed the guide. He looked for it again, but no luck. We spotted some more starfish, and luckily no pests.
Our return swim was calm and peaceful. I just kept my head under water, looking at all the marine life, and then it had come to an end.
I had reached the shore, there was an EcoCentre educator waiting for us. She asked me how the snorkelling experience was. I mean, the answer was obvious: the experience was unforgettable, the most bravest thing I have ever done! I loved it a lot.
Thank you to Dive2U and the EcoCentre who slipped off my fear of the ocean. If anyone wants to spend summer, winter, spring or autumn by the sea, choose snorkelling!
Alive Outside is provided in partnership with City of Port Phillip
