Forget the Whitsundays, this Queensland island is a true bucket-list spot
Updated . First published
It might be on the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef, but it's an island most Aussies have never even heard of.
Lady Elliot Island is a tiny haven off the Queensland coast.
It's the most remote of all the islands on the reef, and an amazing spot for an off-grid holiday.
READ MORE: This is the cheapest time to go skiing in Australia
Lady Elliot Island is a tiny haven off the Queensland coast. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Lady Elliot Island is a sanctuary to over 1,200 species of marine life and is famous for its giant manta rays and turtles.
And while those exotic beaches may appear to be made of white sand, they're actually crushed coral.
And if you're a fan of sustainable travel, it's somewhere you'll want to see - the whole island runs on renewable energy.
It's 80km north-east of Bundaberg, and north of K'gari (Fraser Island).
But despite being so close, it's not really on the radar of most travellers.
READ MORE: One of the world's best hiking spots is just a short flight away
Lady Elliot Island is a tiny paradise on the Great Barrier Reef. Tourism and Events Queensland
How to get to Lady Elliot Island?
You can't get to the remote island by boat - you must fly on a small plane.
Charters are run by Seair Pacific and start at $540 return for adults and $390 for children.
You can fly from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg, which takes around 80minutes.
You can also book a flight from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
READ MORE: What to do when your flight lands at 6am but you can't check in until 2pm
The snorkelling is amazing. Tourism and Events Queensland
Lady Elliot Island day trips
It's possible to visit the unique island for the day - trips depart from Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast or Bundaberg by plane.
But at $595 for adults, it's a lavish day out.
Visits include a tour, a glass bottom boat or guided snorkelling tour with gear, lunch and a guided activity.
READ MORE: These are the best places to ski around the world
There's only one place to stay, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Supplied
Lady Elliot Island accommodation
There's only one place to stay, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.
Otherwise, it's a private destination.
You can choose a range of accommodation from tents to shared and private cabins.
It's all inclusive, including food, snorkelling and island tours.
READ MORE: The Bali alternative that Aussies are embracing for an easy holiday
It's a great spot for a couples' getaway. Tourism and Events Queensland
Lady Elliot Island things to do
It's all about the ocean and the reef on this special piece of paradise.
Lonely Planet voted Lady Elliot Island the best place to snorkel in the world for 2025, and you can do it right off the reef.
There are beginner, intermediate or advanced snorkel trails. Some travellers have even told experts Lady Elliot Island is the best snorkelling they have ever done.
The island also offers glass-bottom boat tours.
If you want to dive, there are 20 sites to explore, and a dive shop.
They run a minimum of two dives per day, and optional night dives available, with all levels allowed.
READ MORE: Forget the Gold Coast and Noosa, this is your new coastal reset destination for winter
It's one of the best places to snorkel in the world. Tourism and Events Queensland
The depth of water is between 20m and 40m. The island's website highlights some of the trails.
They include Maori Wrasse Bommie where "you'll find turtles sleeping in nooks and crannies, trumpetfish, malabar grouper and moorish idols" and "a couple of resident white-tip reef sharks," it says.
Then there's Coral Gardens "a virtual aquarium with schools of big-eye trevally, fusiliers, garfish, surgeon fish, unicorn fish, coral trout, blue-green chromis,"
Plus Anchor Bommie sits at 19m and is a great spot to find manta rays cleaning, a process where small cleaner fish remove bacteria and detritus from manta rays, resort island bosses say.
The manta rays the island is famous for are seen in bigger numbers in the winter. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Best time to visit Lady Elliot Island
For the best water visibility, May and June are prime time.
The manta rays the island is famous for are seen in bigger numbers in the winter (June to September) too.
Green and Loggerhead turtles nest on the island between November and March.
Turtle hatching season runs from February until April.
From June to October whales migrate past the island - and whale song can even be heard under the water.
