Lady Elliot Island, located on the southern edge of the Great Barrier Reef, is one of over 2,000 coral reef islands in the reef. Covering 40 hectares, it is surrounded by living coral reefs and is considered one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the world, attracting enthusiasts from all over.
The island’s only mode of transportation is by sightseeing flights, with planes departing from Gold Coast, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, and Brisbane.
From November to April, during the peak seabird breeding season, over 40,000 seabirds come to the island to lay their eggs, creating a spectacular sight. There are also many sea turtles nesting here, and if you’re lucky, you might witness the dramatic scene of baby turtles making their way to the ocean.
The island has only one hotel—the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. When we booked, we were informed that only the last two rooms were available, and they weren’t beachfront. It’s clear that accommodations here are in high demand. Even before arriving, we felt the hotel’s attentive service. Since the next hotel, Heron Island Remote Resort, hadn’t confirmed our flight time, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort repeatedly asked us about our departure flight to make arrangements. The difference between the two hotels was significant; Heron Island Remote Resort was dismissive, and in the end, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort had to contact the airline directly for us. This initial experience left a very positive impression of the hotel.
We flew from Brisbane on a 13-seater sightseeing plane, which took about an hour and a half (AUD 325 per person), to reach the island. From the air, the island didn’t look very big—it’s roughly comma-shaped, or you could say heart-shaped, with the runway cutting right across it. Everywhere we looked, there were flocks of birds, and as soon as we stepped off the plane, we were greeted by the sound of chirping all around us. Along with the breeze came a faint whiff of bird droppings, giving us a pretty good idea of just how many birds call this island home.
After disembarking, staff first briefed us on island guidelines, activity schedules, meal times, and other details about the island. We were also given information about diving regulations and risks and were required to sign a safety waiver.
The front desk is located inside a small shop, keeping things simple. Check-in was quick—just give your name, get your room number, and you’re done. The accommodations here are divided into three types, all of which are modest eco-cottages. One option is the duplex units, located along the seaside. Each unit consists of two spacious suites, and they even come with air conditioning, making them the best rooms available.
The second type of room is set in the row behind the beachfront units. These come in sets of three per row, with slightly smaller spaces and no air conditioning. The third option is even more compact, about 16 square meters, resembling a tent. Inside, there are two wooden bunk beds with barely any extra space. These units have only a fan, with no private bathroom or drinking water. However, there are clean shared restrooms outside, separated by gender, each with two toilets, two sinks, and two showers.
Our room was the second type—a simple unit in a row of three. Though not very large, about 25 square meters, it was clean and comfortable. The floors and furniture were made of solid wood, with natural wood tones complemented by all-white walls and linens, giving the space a bright and minimalist feel. There was a 1.5-meter-wide bed, with towels folded into the shape of a stingray, the resort’s symbol. In addition, the room had a wooden bunk bed. The mattresses were on the firmer side, and no blankets were provided, just sheets. Each side of the bed had a small nightstand, one of which contained foam earplugs. All doors and windows were screened, keeping insects out. There was no air conditioning, only a wall-mounted fan to keep things cool.
A small fridge was provided, with an electric kettle and complimentary tea and coffee on top. The tap water was safe to drink after boiling, with no noticeable taste. The bathroom was compact, shaped like a triangle, with a toilet and sink on one side and a shower on the other, separated by a curtain. They provided eco-friendly shower gel, and guests were required to use only the provided toiletries to help protect the environment. The shower pressure was excellent, and hot water arrived quickly, likely thanks to a gas-powered on-demand system.
Dining options on the island are limited to a single restaurant, which serves all three meals. Breakfast and dinner were offered buffet-style, included in the stay, with a variety of Western dishes and plenty of fresh fruit. Breakfast was the same each day, but the dinner menu varied—on the first night, they served crab and beef, while the second featured grilled lamb and other barbecue items. The desserts were a highlight, surprisingly better than those at many luxury hotels.
Lunch was not included and could be ordered from a menu or chosen from the buffet. Regardless of whether you opted for the buffet or à la carte, the dining system was self-service—you were expected to clear your own plates, utensils, and glasses to designated stations. The staff focused solely on food service, and I found this system quite efficient and worth recommending.
Despite being the only restaurant on the island, the prices were reasonable. For example, the seafood platter, which included two lobsters, prawns, and oysters, was AUD 29. A 250-gram portion of wild prawns cost AUD 14, and the buffet was AUD 24 per adult and AUD 18 per child—much cheaper than in most big cities.
The island features a small swimming pool, primarily used for beginner snorkeling lessons. There’s also a beach volleyball court, as well as pool and ping-pong tables, though these rarely get much use since most guests prefer to explore the island in their own way.
The birds on the island are everywhere and vocal throughout the night. At first, we tried sleeping with the doors and windows open to get some ventilation, but the constant chirping made it impossible to sleep. We ended up closing all the windows and doors, which are well-sealed with uPVC frames, significantly reducing the noise. Although it got a bit warm inside, it was manageable enough to sleep. That’s when we truly appreciated the earplugs provided in the room. For anyone who struggles with both heat and noise, earplugs are essential. If you stay in one of the tent-style rooms, using them will be almost mandatory.
There’s no cell signal on the island, so phone calls are out of the question. However, there is Wi-Fi available near the hotel’s dive center, though only within a 5-meter range. The Wi-Fi isn’t cheap, with a 1GB package costing AUD 39, although smaller plans are available for AUD 10.
The hotel also offers a glass-bottom boat tour around the island, which ends with nearly an hour of snorkeling. This activity is included in the room rate, making it a great way to explore the nearby marine life.
The birds here are incredibly unafraid of humans, behaving almost like domesticated chickens. They often land right next to you and don’t fly away even with close interaction. During meals, you have to keep an eye on them, as they won’t hesitate to snatch food right off your plate if you’re not careful. These birds are also quite affectionate, always seen in pairs, making it hard not to feel a bit envious of their companionship.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, the chances of getting hit by bird droppings are pretty high (I got hit three times myself). Capturing photos of birds in flight is effortless—just stay still for a bit, and soon enough, one will fly by. On the island, it’s strictly prohibited to feed the birds or fish to avoid disrupting their natural behavior and to help maintain the ecological balance.
The greatest strength of this hotel is that it doesn’t feel profit-driven. While it would be understandable if they charged for drinking water or diving equipment, they do not. The restaurant offers both hot and warm drinking water, and the dive center provides chilled water, all available anytime. You can borrow dive equipment freely, with staff carefully helping you select the right size and ensuring a proper fit by having you try everything on before use. Their dedication and responsibility are truly commendable.
Every morning, staff patrol the beach, diligently recording the number of sea turtles that visit the island and posting the results for everyone to see. They also trust their guests completely—there’s no need to register for diving gear, and you just leave it at the designated spot when finished. None of the rooms have locks, creating a unique sense of safety, where it feels like being part of one big family. The staff are always patient, helping solve practical problems without hesitation.
The island’s main advantages include the abundance of seabirds, easy snorkeling access just a short walk from shore, and a calm sea that’s suitable even for those prone to seasickness. However, there are some downsides: the living conditions are quite basic, and there is no sandy beach—only coral fragments cover the shore.
A word of advice: if you plan to visit, avoid doing a day trip. One day simply isn’t enough to fully enjoy what this island has to offer. Given the high cost of the flight to get here, it’s worth staying for at least one or two nights to explore at a relaxed pace. Most guests staying on the island are from Europe or North America. If you’re only considering a day trip, you might be better off renting a boat to explore an uninhabited island instead.
After our two-night stay, the hotel staff waved us off warmly as we left. Farewell, little island—we haven’t had enough of you just yet. Hopefully, we’ll be back someday to enjoy it all over again!
