LADY ELLIOT ISLAND ECO RESORT ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF - FEBRUARY 2025

My wife and I spent three nights on Lady Elliot Island situated on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The island is situated about 50 miles from the Queensland Coast of Australia. The waters around the resort are considered to have the best snorkelling in the world. The waters are protected by legislation and so it was a treat to visit an intact reef ecosystem. Visitors can see huge Manta Rays which feed year round near the island. The half hour flight to the island is a fun experience for those who have never flown on a small plane. Seeing the Island and the surrounding reef from the air is an unforgettable experience. Lady Elliot island is the only place where a wheeled aircraft can land on the GBR. The access to the GBR is typically by watercraft and this can be very uncomfortable in adverse seas and weather conditions. Flying is also much quicker and there are several flights daily from different airports. Lady Elliot Resort has a wide range of accommodations and there is a very good restaurant. The staff are helpful and getting a tour of the reef at low tide was very interesting as it was given by the Resort's resident naturalist. You will see a myriad of birds on the island and it is fun seeing these birds up close as they are not frightened of humans. We have also been to Heron Island which is also located in the GBR to the north, which seemed to me to have a greater number of seabirds, many of whom were nesting when we visited in February 2017. Both are excellent and have their pluses. I found the access to the snorkelling was better on Lady Elliot. However, I saw more nesting turtles on Heron Island but that could have been just due to timing. Heron Island also has excellent snorkelling and beautiful coral. If you want a first class eco experience, with wonderful snorkelling and viewing of sea birds, Lady Elliot resort is hard to beat.