Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay found at the southernmost point of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.  Sitting in the protected Green Zone, the island is known for its pristine coral reef, diverse marine life, and incredible snorkeling and diving.  Lady Elliot also has the highest seabird diversity of any other island on the reef. 

The island is truly a nature lover’s paradise with fully accessible snorkeling in warm shallow reef waters hosting an unimaginable array of marine life.  The protected lagoon area on the eastern side of the island is home to innumerable “turtle cleaning stations,” where turtles sit patiently while small fish clean them.  The deeper water lies on the island’s west side where you will find walls of coral reef full of vibrant colors and the most beautiful fish. 

When you finally drag yourself out of the water for rest, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the small island on foot, observing the new growth of Pisonia trees. If you happen to visit during Australia’s summer months, you might be treated to nesting shorebirds and sea turtles. 

The resort prides itself on minimizing its environmental impact and creating a beautifully pristine habitat for its wildlife.  Guest accommodations are comfortable and dining is offered in the form of a buffet for breakfast and dinner and a small menu for lunch.  The resort’s activities center offers many educational activities such as turtle hatchling releases, bird identification walks, and talks on a variety of marine life, including the spectacular manta ray.  The dive shop offers dive boat tours and glass bottom boat snorkeling as well as gear rentals.

Getting to Lady Elliot Island requires a flight on a small plane departing from a number of Australia’s eastern cities.  Reservations are limited on the island and sell out well in advance, so start planning your trip now!

Tip:  Make sure you bring a Go-Pro or other waterproof camera.  Supplies are incredibly limited on the island, so you’ll want to pack all the essentials, especially sunscreen!