Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

family members from Canada and NZ we all visited the Island and the trip was amazing from the moment we arrived at the Hervey Bay airport and booked in the staff had every thing under control our group had 2 children under 3.When we arrived there was agreat introduction along with a greeting cuppa and cakes,the lunch meal was a credit to the chef ,we attended the snorkelling and the fish feeding and could not fault the knwledge and help provided.Again well worth the money and the experience

Lady Elliot Island is my happy place ! I am so lucky I can go every year for my birthday. I love the incredible reef, excellent visibility with easy access to lagoon and shore snorkeling and diving. I’ve seen sooo many incredible creatures over the years. I’ve swam with mantas whales dolphins squids octopus and a ton of turtles. Never ever ever disappointed never! The newly renovated accommodation is beautiful and there is always plenty of delicious food. My absolute happy place. Feeling incredibly grateful for the LEI team all who love the reef the island and their work !! I’m am truly blessed 💜😎😊 JUST GO !

I visited this island with my mum and unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing. Prior to the trip, I called and emailed them to confirm whether previous snorkeling experience was required, and was clearly told via phone and email it was not. Upon arrival, we were given a tablet to complete a form that asked for our experience level. Shortly after, we received an email stating we were “Novice Snorkellers,” which should be useful for their staff somehow but it wasn't Once onboard the boat, I requested a life jacket—as advertised they have it available for those that want to feel safer —but was abruptly told by our guide, “We don’t have it on the boat.” This was shocking, especially considering we were heading out to the open sea with around 20 people. I find it hard to believe that a commercial/touristic boat wouldn’t have life jackets readily available. Isn’t that a basic safety requirement??? When we entered the water, my mum, already nervous, held on to the boat’s steps but couldn’t overcome her fear enough to swim. She struggled for 15 minutes while the “captain” sat inside the boat, just a few steps away, watching without offering help. When I asked for assistance, his response was, “I can’t help you from here, just let go the steps and swim.” Meanwhile, our guide had already swum off with the more experienced group, leaving me, my mum, another girl on her 20', and an elderly lady behind, all clearly struggling holding on the boat from the water. During the so-called “training session” in a pool earlier, which lasted 5 minutes, the guide showed no effort in helping the majority of people who were clearly unfamiliar with snorkeling—even struggling to put the gear and glasses on. The staff had no preparation to support beginners and showed a complete lack of care or professionalism. I’ve snorkeled at Musgrave Island twice before for a fraction of the price and had a vastly better experience—safe, supportive, and stress-free. This trip was not only overpriced, but deeply upsetting. I can’t express my frustration enough as who has travelled from overseas, miles way to have this experience. I’m sharing this review as much as I can in hopes of preventing others from having their holiday ruined by what felt like a careless and disrespectful operation. Vacations take time, effort, and planning—and customers deserve much better.

I have been scuba diving and snorkelling seriously for 30 years although my last scuba dive was some time back. I am certified as a Master Scuba Diver with PADI. My wife and buddy have dived all around Australia, Heron Island, Lord Howe Island, off Port Douglas and in Vanuata. We have snokelled with the whale sharks off Exmouth, Manta Rays at Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef WA and the dolphins and seals at Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne. We booked well in advance and were very much looking forward to our Lady Elliott Island 4 day trip. The weather was lousy. We did snorkel in the lagoon and the lighthouse side but the conditions were not the idyllic and not as portrayed on the promotions and website. That's understandable. I don't have a gripe with any of that. It’s sold as a eco-resort with diving and the best snorkelling, quoting Loney Planet guide, as the best in the world. It could be if you experienced good weather and saw a manta ray or two and a couble of reef sharks. We saw neither. The coral is more colourful in the lagoon than in the lighthouse side. It’s good but not more than three star, and not the best in the world. Its expensive. As a resort, you could go to Bali all inclusive of flights and accommodation for half the price. The “Eco” bot does little but add costs. Food and accommodation was good, but not value for money absent any diving and snorkelling experience. Not a place for young children. The beaches are sharp coral not sand. There is little to do, really nothing, to entertain young children. Of course if the weather had been fine, the seas calm, there were sightings of what is promoted I probably would give a five star rating. But based on my single experience its a 3 star. The dive shop is very professional. Good gear and well run by a team of instructors and five masters. One comment though: at the airport before departing for the island a staff member showed us live scene of conditions on both sides of the island. When on the island when we asked at 9:00 am about conditions on the lighthouse side, the response was “We haven't been over there yet”. Hey, not good enough. The cancellation policy is a trap. You can't cancel based on the weather forecast. Generally your travel insurance will not cover you either. Best tip: book a week out when you know the weather and when the tides suit. High neap tide gives you about 300 mm or so clearance of the coral in the lagoon. Look for the higher of the two high tides in a day to be during daylight hours.

We eagerly looked forward to our day trip to the Lady Elliot Island, with us flying in from Hervey Bay. The staff provided every little help required for a physically disabled person in our party, right from boarding to deboarding at the island. The snorkelling was definitely a highlight, with diving guides Kai (and a few other staff) going out of their way to provide all the help, to make it a truly inclusive and memorable trip. Definitely recommend if you visit Queensland.