If you looking for some amazing things to do on Lady Elliot Island, then I have the answers for you! After a short 80 min local flight leaving from the Redcliffe (Brisbane) airport, you can be on this beautiful beach location enjoying many activities suited for the whole family. What’s even better is that you can choose to either go for the day or stay in the eco-friendly Lady Elliot Island Resort, on the Great Barrier Reef.
Reef Walking
Make sure you bring your reef shoes for this one, or you can hire them on the island! At low tide, you can walk along the sand paths in between the coral to view the amazing fish life like sea cucumbers, starfish, sea urchins, clams and crabs. You could also chose to jump on one of their guided reefs walk which could teach you all about the underwater life that inhabits Lady Elliot Island.
Glass-bottom Boat
The glass-bottom boat will go out at the same time as the guided snorkel tours. Also, it gives you a chance to snorkel a little further out. The guide will take you to a few viewpoints and tell you about the underwater ecosystem. If you’re lucky, you will run into a few more turtles!
Swimming
Swimming in the warm waters of Lady Elliot Island can be enjoyed all year round, but make sure you check with the Dive Shop on the tide times and get advice on the spots to swim throughout the day. Maybe the beach isn’t what you’re after, there is always the resort pool for swimming or relaxing.
Snorkelling
Once again check on the tide times, as low tide can be very shallow on one side of the Island and a longer walk on the other side. Easy enough to bring your own gear or hire the snorkel and fins when you get there. Walk out and swim at your own place to discover the many wonders of the coral reef that surrounds the Island. Be sure to look out for turtles sleeping, or swimming around!
Diving on Lady Elliot Island
There are 20 dives sites available on the island with 2 dives a day (weather dependant). This is a great way to get up close and personal with the local marine life and explore the area. The Dive shop caters to every level of diver and don’t forget to bring your certification card.
Kayak tour
Have you been in a clear bottom kayak before? They are now available on Lady Elliot Island dependant on tides and weather. You will get an educational commentary about the marine life and surrounding reef. The tours take about 1 hour and you can book this at the Dive Shop.
Sunset cruise
Watching the sunset on the water with a drink at hand along with snacks, can’t be missed. During the winter months, you might also see the migrating whales breaching. Take your camera for this one to capture the moment to sun hits the ocean
Fish Feeding
On most afternoons there will be a fish feeding experience in the rocks pools. This only goes for about 15 minutes so make sure you are on time. The guide will explain about the different species of fish visiting on the day
Bird Watching tour
With over 100 varieties of birds on Lady Elliot Island it will be easy to join the 45 mins tour to learn about these Permanent or Temporary residents. Easy enough to be up close a personal just walking around yourself and you might catch the babies too!
Turtle Laying and Hatching
During the Months of November to March, a number of turtles will come up the shores to lay their eggs, having them hatch 45 to 75 days later. Lady Elliott Island has night tours to help witness this happening and if you are lucky, you might see both!
Reef Education centre
The Reef Education Centre is open every day, so feel free to enter and explore at your own pace. It’s a learning facility with beautiful underwater murals painted on the walls as well as facts sheets, information and the programs they run. There are some display boxes for kids to experience via touch and feel. They also hold presentations and documentaries for school, university and research groups.
Star Gazing on Lady Elliot Island
An experience missed out on by people that live in the big cities – Star Gazing! Lady Elliot Island has limited light pollution and it’s very easy to walk along the beach and be amazed at the number of stars present. Are you an avid Photographer, then a chance the photograph the Milky Way might be on the cards?
Don’t forget to check out the Lady Elliot Island Day Trip Video on YouTube by Aquarius Traveller to give you a visual idea of the Lady Elliot Island experience.
About Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island (LEI) is a coral cay situated at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef. We are located approximately 80 kilometres north-east of Bundaberg and nestled in between Fraser Island and Lady Musgrave Island. Lady Elliot is the closest Great Barrier Reef island to Brisbane, Queensland’s southern capital. The Island lies within a Marine National Park ‘Green Zone’ and forms part of Australia’s World Heritage Listed Area on the Great Barrier Reef. Lady Elliot Island is regarded as one of the best snorkelling and diving destinations on the Great Barrier Reef. The Island is a haven for marine life including manta rays, turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks and the entire cast of ‘Finding Nemo’ – over 1,200 different species of marine life can be found around the Island. From beginners to advanced snorkelers or divers, you will experience the true wonder of the Great Barrier Reef without the need for a long boat trip.
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