I'm lucky it's not peak season or my boat would have been crowded. I'm also lucky that there was no other certified divers on board, or i would have had a really crap dive. I do have a really leisurely day on a boat, cruising around some of the Whitsunday Islands, lazing on Whitehaven beach, snorkeling and attempting to freedive at Mantaray Bay (no manta rays), eating a buffet lunch and chocolate cake, and reading a good book. White sandy beaches, blue sea, no sea sickness in sight - this is bliss. Remove most of the other 22 customers and this would be heaven :-) The Whitsunday islands are very nice, a 3 day sailing trip would be good.
I like Airlie beach, the beach is man-made and there's a long stinger season (people wear strange black stinger suits - strangely i have no photos of me wearing one), half the town is being built, and it has little charm. I still like it, it has a nice esplanade, large free swimming pools, good views, sun, sea, boats...
My time is short, this is the east coast, the tourist part and the bit i least want to see as a result. 2 more weeks and i would be happy though - so i can see South West Rocks, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Hunter Valley. Oh well, next time again.