Lizard Island Resort

Paradise, beautiful, amazing snorkeling, food, drink and service.

From the very beginning planning the visit to Lizard Island resort, I found the staff I was in communication with prompt in answering my queries, and very helpful in answering my questions. From the complimentary pick-up from our hotel in Cairns to the complimentary drop-off back to our hotel in Cairns this trip was amazing. The driver picked us up on time, and we waited at the Hinterland lounge for our flight which was very comfortable. The flight was great, and although it was a bit rainy when we left we were still able to see the GBR from the air. The team welcomed us at the tarmac (very Fantasy Island or White Lotus depending how old you are). We were given cool cloths and a golf cart ride to the resort. The resort is beautiful, and we were immediately escorted to a wonderful lunch, welcomed and the ins and outs of our stay explained. They had asked us if we were celebrating anything special, and we told them this was our 40th wedding anniversary trip. We were so surprised to find that they upgraded us to a garden view suite and were given a bottle of champagne. Many of the staff wished us a happy anniversary and our dessert came out with happy anniversary written on it. I felt so spoiled and special. The room was lovely, quiet and clean. Water pressure and WiFi were great. We went to the beach club and got outfitted with snorkel gear that was kept for us and dedicated to us for the entire trip. The food, drinks were amazing and the staff incredibly nice and helpful. A big shout out to Flor, James, Sara, Paul, David and everyone who truly made this a special trip. We snorkeled right off the beach and loved it, and we did that every day of our 3-day stay. We were supposed to do a full day snorkeling tour, but it was too windy to go out to the outer reef that day, and it got cancelled. We were able to make use of the dinghy instead, and they brought us to a different bay than the ones we had already snorkeled, and we snorkeled it. We were the only ones there, and it was truly lovely. This was the best coral and sea life I have seen snorkelling. This was truly one of the most special experiences I have ever had. It was the start of our month-long anniversary trip to Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti, and I can say this was hands down the highlight of our trip. I put a big check mark by my bucket list item to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and not do it with 200 other people at the same time. Lizard Island Resort, although expensive, was truly worth the money for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

the service, food, drinks and accommodation are excellent. there is no traffic, no crowds, and peace and tranquility reigns. water activities can be undertaken right off the sandy beach in front of the resort where encounters with coral, reef sharks and turtles are likely. but for a better snorkel experience ribbon reef no 10 is the spot - one hour in the resort boat - the cod hole is good but for a snorkel dynamite reef is much better, with plenty of coral and fish. just off the island the coral gardens, watsons wall and mermaid cove are worthwhile snorkel sites. watsons bay is a must visit spot and snorkelling can be done from the beach. blue lagoon beaches teem with sea life and are magnificent. cooks look is a hard, hard hike, not for the faint hearted - some sections of sheer granite which may call for down on hands and knees scramble - spectacular views - try it if you are fit - but if first 200 metres are hard, give up - it just gets harder. on the island look for lizards, skinks, sun birds - and their nests - king fishers, insects