BLUE: a moment of joy for water lovers

By Fleur Bainger

Find your own moment of joy

Australia is surrounded by some of the cleanest and clearest blue seas on the planet. From above, their sparkling hues emanate calm and tranquility, but dive a little deeper and you’ll soon discover the joyful surprises of Australia’s underwater playground. Here are three ways to immerse yourself in the truest blues Down Under.

Discover delightful tranquility in the beautiful blue hues of our islands

Australia has more than 8,000 islands scattered around its edge like confetti. Many have pale sands which illuminate the surrounding blue like a highlighter, while reef or seagrass create swirls of colour like the contrasts of a blue opal gem. Escaping to one, with nothing but endless blue on the horizon, is a sure way to find happiness and serenity. Hire your own yacht and gently glide between the unbelievably perfect Whitsunday Islands in Queensland. Soak up the island blues from the sky, by calmly coasting above the Great Barrier Reef’s islands in a parasail. Find your happy zen by diving beneath the sapphire surface and snorkelling with the rainbow-hued fish that call this natural aquarium home.

Joyously wild encounters in the deep blue

Aqua blue shades envelop Australia, from its enormous blue-skies to its deep blue oceans teeming with marine life that joyfully play beneath the turquoise waves; some of the friendliest being the Australian sea lions, or ‘puppies of the sea’ as they are commonly referred to. Spotting one playfully twirling through the ocean, it's impossible to not feel that same joy and elation – there’s really nothing quite like it. Slip into the clear teal waters of Baird Bay or Port Lincoln, on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, to swim with these spirited, seal-like creatures known for their friendly and curious nature.

Let our waters wash away your worries

With shores surrounded by three of the cleanest and clearest blue oceans on the planet – the Pacific, Southern and Indian – it’s not hard to see why water is such an important part of Australian life. For many, the ocean is more than just a calming blue hue painting the horizon; it’s a way of life, an escape that provides an uplifting sensation of unrivalled liberty. You can experience this effect for yourself by indulging in any cherished local pastime; above or below the water. By swimming, sailing, snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, or any one of the multitude of water activities on offer in Australia, you’ll be sure to experience the sense of freedom gifted by the water and so loved by Aussies.

If you prefer to stay closer to shore and still experience the pure joy of the life aquatic, head to one of Sydney’s famous ocean pools.