FAQs

The Day Trip to Lady Elliot Island includes:

• 6-7 hours to explore the Island and reef
• Return scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island
• Welcome drink/Orientation tour
• Guided reef walk tour at low tide (Tide dependent)
• Glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour
• Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel & fins) and lesson if required
• Hot & cold buffet lunch served in the Beachfront Dining Room
• Use of day guest facilities (shower facilities and towels)
• Environmental management charge

The Day Trip to Lady Elliot Island includes:

• 6-7 hours to explore the Island and reef
• Return scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island
• Welcome drink/Orientation tour
• Guided reef walk tour at low tide (Tide dependent)
• Glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour
• Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel & fins) and lesson if required
• Hot & cold buffet lunch served in the Beachfront Dining Room
• Use of day guest facilities (shower facilities and towels)
• Environmental management charge

The Great Barrier Reef Day Tour includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop off (limited areas apply)
• Return scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island
• 5 hours to explore Lady Elliot Island and the reef
• Welcome drink/Orientation tour
• Combined glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour
• Use of snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins & short wetsuit) and lesson if required
• Hot & cold buffet lunch including beer, wine and soft drink
• Use of day guest facilities (storage facilities, shower facilities, towels)
• Towels, sunscreen, snorkel equipment and reef walking shoes provided
• Fish feeding in the lagoon fish pool
• Fully guided tour

The Great Barrier Reef Day Tour includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop off (limited areas apply)
• Return scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island
• 5 hours to explore Lady Elliot Island and the reef
• Welcome drink/Orientation tour
• Combined glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour
• Use of snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins & short wetsuit) and lesson if required
• Hot & cold buffet lunch including beer, wine and soft drink
• Use of day guest facilities (storage facilities, shower facilities, towels)
• Towels, sunscreen, snorkel equipment and reef walking shoes provided
• Fish feeding in the lagoon fish pool
• Fully guided tour

Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances. 

The below deposit & cancellation policy is for direct bookings. These terms can be amended and may be subject to change. The group cancellation policy will be advised at the time of booking as applicable. Travel agents, please refer to your agreed deposit & cancellation terms. 

Payment Policy: 

• Full payment is due 7 days prior to travel. If travel is within 7 days full payment is due at the time of booking

Cancellation Policy: 

• No cancellation fee applies if the booking is cancelled outside 48 hours prior to departure
• Cancellation within 48 hours of travel – 50% cancellation fee applies  
• Cancellation within 24 hours of travel – 100% cancellation fee applies 
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended. If you are unable to travel for medical reasons, weather events, flight cancellations or any other reason, refunds will not be given. A letter of support for your insurance claim can be obtained from the Reservations Team. 

Day guests please be aware that Lady Elliot Island cannot be responsible for the weather. Should weather conditions result in cancellation of the tour by the operator, you will be able to transfer your trip to another date at no additional cost. If your travel plans do not allow you to postpone, a full refund will be issued. Please note that weather conditions may vary whilst on the island and result in cancellation of water activities. Once the day trip has commenced no refund will be issued. 

The overnight tariff/rate includes:

• Full buffet breakfast and dinner daily served in the Dining Room
• One free glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour per person
• Free use of snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) and lesson if required
• Range of free guided Island activities/tours
• Environmental Management Charge

Travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances. 

The below deposit & cancellation policy is for direct bookings. These terms can be amended and may be subject to change. The group cancellation policy will be advised at the time of booking as applicable. Travel agents, please refer to your agreed deposit & cancellation terms. 

Payment and Deposit Policy:

• For travel within 14 days: Full payment is required at the time of booking 
• For travel outside 14 days: A deposit of $300 (per room) is required to secure the booking
• Payment can be made either by credit card or direct deposit (from Australian bank accounts only) 
• No credit card surcharges apply 

Cancellation Policy: 

• Cancellation outside 57 days (8 weeks) before arrival: $100 (per room) cancellation fee applies 
• Cancellations between 56-15 days before arrival: A cancellation fee equal to the deposit applies 
• Cancellations inside 14 days (2 weeks) before arrival: 100% cancellation fee applies to total booking including flights, accommodation and pre-paid inclusions 
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended. If you are unable to travel for medical reasons, weather events, flight cancellations or any other reason, refunds will not be given. A letter of support for your insurance claim can be obtained from the Reservations Team. 

Date Change and Booking Modifications:

• Date changes outside 29 days (4 weeks) before arrival: Will incur an alteration/change fee of $30 per amendment 
• Date changes within 28-15 days before arrival: Will incur a change fee equal to 100% of the deposit 
• Date changes inside 14 days (2 weeks) before arrival: Not permitted. 100% cancellation fee applies to the total booking including flights, accommodation and pre-paid inclusions 
• All date changes are subject to availability and subject to pricing changes applicable to the new dates 
• Once a date change has been made to your original booking, any additional changes resulting in the cancellation of the booking will incur the loss of all monies held
• Name changes on bookings can be made up to 24 hours before travel 

Multi-Room Bookings (2 or more rooms): 

• Should one or more rooms cancel as surplus, the above deposit & cancellation policy applies, and cancellation fees will be charged as stipulated above. Cancelled room deposit will only be transferred to existing rooms if cancelled outside 57 days before arrival 
• Payments will only be accepted from the primary guest. For payments from different persons, individual bookings are required

Family Policy: 

• • Infants (0-2 years): Free of Charge 
  • Children (3-12 years): Based on resort accommodation and flight rates 
  • Rollaway: Free of charge. Bedding no charge. Child rate applies. Rollaways unsuitable for persons 13+ years. 
  • Porta-cot: One off fee applies, payable at the time of booking 

Environmental Management Charge (EMC): 

The Environmental Management Charge (EMC) is a fee paid by all visitors to the Great Barrier Reef. All funds collected are used for the day-to-day management and conservation of the reef. For bookings from the 1 April 2024, a fee of $8.00 per person per day for up to 3 days (four years and older) will be added to your booking total balance. The maximum amount charged is $24.00 per person. All funds received as Environmental Management Charge payments are collected on behalf of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. 

We are permitted to have 150 overnight guests and 100 day visitors on the Island at one time, however, we rarely reach this figure.

The length of stay varies depending how much time you have available, however ,we recommend at least three days to really experience all that Lady Elliot Island has to offer. Our ‘Stay 5 Pay 4’ night offer is particularly popular (note this package has exclusion and room type restrictions). Please enquire with Lady Eliot Island Reservations. 

You will not be sharing with any other guests not included in your booking.

Linen and towels (bath and beach towels) are supplied in all rooms.

Please refer to the local accommodation directories for these regions.

http://www.visitfrasercoast.com/accommodation/

http://www.bundabergregion.org/accommodation/

Room Check In is at 1:00pm and Check Out is at 10:00am. It is possible that your room may be available sooner, however, it will depend on how busy the Resort is.

It may be possible for you to extend the check out time, however, it will depend on the forward bookings for your room. Please check with Island Reception the afternoon prior to your departure.

We recommend that you wear your swimmers under your clothes so that you are ready for your underwater adventures when you arrive on the Island. Your luggage will be stored in the Departure Lounge until your room is ready so that you can access your gear. You can collect towels from Reception/Departure Lounge and you will have access to the Day Guest facilities until check in time at 1:00pm (please check with Reception, it is possible that your room will be ready sooner).

The 2BR Beachfront Units have ceiling fans in the bedrooms and a separate air-conditioned lounge room. All other room types are fitted with a ceiling fan. 

There are no televisions in the rooms (this is one of our draw cards!). However, there is one television in the Lagoon Bar that is used on special occasions/ events and not used for general viewing. The Manta Lounge has a television for viewing DVDs, Lady Elliot has a selection of documentaries and general movies.

In our Reef Units, Glamping Tents and 2 bedroom Beachfront Units guests are provided with 300ml pump shampoo/conditioner and soap bars from the Natural Earth amenities range. The Natural Earth range is made from recycled packaging combined with salon grade formulations containing Active Manuka Honey. Their environmentally conscious range is sourced from New Zealand and is vegan friendly.

All other room types are fitted with GOJO green certified hair and body wash.

Power is supplied to all rooms at 240 Volts 50Hz and uses the 3-pin dual power point. This is the same voltage and plug shape used in mainland Australia and the following countries: American Samoa, Argentina, China, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Okinawa, Panama, Papua New Guinea, St. Vincent, Tajikistan, Tonga, Uruguay.

Reception has a supply of various adaptors which they are happy to loan should you happen leave yours behind.

Guests have a choice of four (4) housekeeping services. Rooms will be serviced daily between 09:00am-03:00pm.

Full Service
Beds made, bins changed, floor swept, bathroom cleaned, top up of tea, coffee and milk, towels placed on floor will be refreshed (linen changed after third day unless requested at reception)

Green Service
Beds made, bins changed, floor swept, bathroom cleaned and top up of tea, coffee, milk etc (no towel or linen change)

Towel Refresh
Fresh towels, bath mats, pillows and blankets

Privacy Please
Room will not be entered

Yes, arrangements can be made for a babysitter (subject to staff availability). Price: $50/hr for 1-2 children, $5/hr for each additional child thereafter. Once child minding is confirmed; a fee will be incurred for no show or cancellation within 2 hours. Request must be confirmed by 3:30pm the day before child minding is required. Please see our Kids Activities page for further information.

Yes, portacots are available at a cost of AU $28.00 cot hire per booking (1 x cot only). Please request when making your booking with our Reservations Team.

During most QLD and NSW public school holidays our Reef Rangers Club will entertain the children during morning and afternoon sessions. Please see our Kids Activities page for further information.

Reef Rangers is available for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years, please see our Kids Activities page for further information.

We don’t have reef shoes for hire, however, we do have some second hand reef shoes in children’s sizes that can be borrowed. Please keep in mind that there are limited numbers so it would be advisable to bring some reef walking shoes (covered toes) or crocs with you.

Yes, but stock and sizes are limited.

There is no mobile phone Reception on the Island (this is one of our draw cards!). A public phone is available and phone cards can be purchased from Reception and the Lagoon Bar.

Wi-fi access is available in selected areas of the Resort. Guests can purchase wi-fi from Reception from $20 for 1 GB. Please keep in mind that we operate on a satellite internet service and connection is dependent on prevailing weather conditions. Speed is enough for emails but not for streaming, approximately 2Mbps down 0.5Mbps up.

A fax is available on request at Reception.

Yes, you can snorkel straight off the beach on Lady Elliot Island, you are not required to catch a boat to snorkel. Please see the Snorkel page for more information.

Snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel and closed heel fins) is included in the rate or overnight tariff. Please visit the Dive Shop upon arrival to collect your snorkel gear, this can be kept for the duration of your stay.

Unfortunately, you are not permitted to dive and fly on the same day. As per regulations, divers must allow 18 hours between last dive and flying, therefore, divers must stay on the Island for at least one night.

Our certified PADI Dive Instructors accompany ALL dives conducted around the Island.

We do offer ‘Purchase 4 dives get 5^th dive FREE’ (not available during Peak Season or School Holidays). Please purchase the dive package from the Dive Shop upon arrival.

Please see our Dive Prices & Hire Gear

Please see our Dive Prices & Hire Gear. Dive gear is included in most Dive Courses.

Yes, a range of PADI certified Dive Courses are on offer ranging from ‘Discover Scuba’ (Resort Dive) to advanced courses for certified divers. Please see our Dive Courses page.

No, all dive equipment is included in the price of the lesson.

10 is the minimum age for Divers on Lady Elliot Island (excluding Discover Scuba Diving, Rescue Diver and Enriched Air where the minimum age is 12 years).

Certified free divers that present their certification card are permitted to hire a weight belt (up to three weights only). Note you will be required to sign a free diver waiver. If you are not a certified free diver, you will not be permitted to hire a weight belt. 

There is an in-water risk to the user. Full face snorkelling masks are not permitted on Lady Elliot Island guided activities. Can be used if self-snorkelling, will be required to sign a waiver. Please see Dive Shop on arrival. 

Yes, you can bring your own dive gear, please be aware that there is 15kg weight limit per person on luggage on your flights. If you require extra luggage it is AU $16.00 per kilo return (we cannot always guarantee that it will fit on the same flight as you are booked on) and must be pre-arranged with Reservations before your flight departure. 

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort charters Seair Pacific to provide scenic air transfers to Lady Elliot Island. Seair operates aircraft that can carry up to 19 passengers. The size of your aircraft will depend on passenger numbers travelling for that particular day.

The flight time from Bundaberg is approx. 30mins, Hervey Bay 40mins, Brisbane 80mins and the Gold Coast 100mins. On some occasions the Gold Coast and Brisbane flights may stop at another airport on route which will add a small amount of time to the trip. Flights are subject to change and flight times vary depending on weather, aircraft type and possible transit stops. Our Reservations Team will book your flights in conjunction with your accommodation, please refer to our Booking Enquiry page.

Yes, there is a luggage limit on our planes of 15kg per person.

There is no toilet on the plane so we recommend a quick toilet stop before you board the aircraft. Please note that all scenic flights are less than 2 hours.

For overnight guests, full buffet dinner and breakfast is included in the tariff and is served in the Dining Room. Full buffet lunch is included for day guests.

A buffet lunch is available in the Dining Room and the Beachfront Café offers a variety of light meals and snacks.

Yes, our kitchen is able to cater to most dietary requirements, please advise upon booking.

Due to licensing regulations you are not permitted to bring your own alcohol. However, Lady Elliot Island is fully licensed and has a well stocked bar at reasonable prices.

Yes, our desalinated water is suitable to drink straight from the tap. As per our Eco commitment, we are no longer selling plastic water bottles on the Island. However, guests can bring reusable bottles or buy one of our LEI Water reusable bottles (Recycled Plastic & Stainless Steel) from the Resort Shop that can be filled from drinking fountains located around the Resort or from taps in the rooms.

No, general groceries are not sold on the Island. Soft drinks, ice cream and chips are available from the Bar/Café. Snacks are available from the Dive Shop during hours of operation. Souvenirs, toys, sterling silver and fashion jewellery as well as convenience items, batteries, sunscreen and limited pharmaceutical lines are available from the Gift Shop located in Reception.

No, there are no cooking facilities in the rooms. 2-bedroom Beachfront Units can access microwaves (on request) and are equipped with a small fridge and tea & coffee making facilities. Reef Units and Garden Units have a small fridge and tea & coffee making facilities. Eco Cabins have a communal area that has a small fridge and tea & coffee making facilities.

Unlike islands further north, Lady Elliot Island is not affected by the stinger season and it is safe to swim all year round.

For your own safety, guests must wear reef walking shoes (with covered toes) or crocs when Reef Walking or joining any of the Glass Bottom Boat/Snorkel tours. We sell reef walking shoes/crocs in the Gift Shop and we also have some reef shoes that our guests can borrow, please note that limited sizes are available.

Lady Elliot is a wonderful holiday destination all year round. Please refer to our Nature’s Calendar and Weather/Climate charts to determine when you would like to visit.

Sorry, we do not offer a pensioner or family discount. Please refer to our Packages page for packages and special deals.

Yes, please advise our Reservations Team upon booking and we can provide a cake for your special occasion at a small cost.

As most of the Islands walkways consist of crushed coral, wheelchair access is limited. We do have a disabled shower and toilet facility on the Island as well as limited wheelchair access, please contact our Reservations Team regarding your special needs.

One (1) combined Glass Bottom Boat/Guided Snorkelling Tour is included in your daytrip or overnight rate. Extra trips are available at a cost.

Yes, you are most welcome to participate in all the usual activities and use of the day guest facilities available on the Island. Please keep in mind that you will need to congregate at the departure point at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure.

There is no dress code. The Resort is very low-key and casual clothing will be suitable for your stay on Lady Elliot Island. However, due to health and safety regulations, shirts and footwear must be worn in the Beachfront Dining Room and Lagoon Bar. Comfortable walking shoes, reef walking shoes or crocs will come in very handy while walking around the Resort.

We have a qualified Senior First Aid Officer on the Island for any First Aid issues. We also have a well equipped First Aid room including oxygen, defibrillator, a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) emergency medical kit as well as other standard first aid equipment. In the event of a medical emergency we have access to the Royal Flying Doctors Service for direct support and assessment and/or evacuations if required.

No, the only access to Lady Elliot Island is by aircraft and our Reservations Team will book the scenic flight transfer with your accommodation. The scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island is a spectacular start to your holiday!

As there are many individual considerations, please discuss this with our Reservations team prior to booking.

No, Lady Elliot’s air service operator is the only service permitted to land on Lady Elliot Island. 

We will take your reservation at any time subject to availability. During peak times and holiday periods we advise you to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

That will depend on where you are flying from, we offer scenic flights from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast, Brisbane (Redcliffe) and the Gold Coast. Please see our Getting Here page for further information.

We do not provide airport transfers in these locations. Local shuttle services are available.

Hervey Bay – contact Bay2dore Shuttle on 1300 005 505 or 0417 637 447

Bundaberg – contact Bundaberg Shuttle on 0421 413 446

Secure parking facilities are located at both Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast and Bundaberg Airports.

Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast: http://www.frasercoastairport.com.au/car-park-fees-18-19.html

Bundaberg: https://www.discoverbundaberg.com.au/airport-parking

In addition to the 15kg checked luggage allowance, small personal items totalling up to a maximum of 2kg can be carried on board. These items may include handbag/purse, tablet or laptop in thin case, camera, coat/wrap. These items must be placed on the lap as there are no overhead lockers and no stowage facility under the seats.

Yes, all overnight guests are entitled to the 15kg luggage allowance.

Additional luggage allowance for dive gear can be pre-purchased for AU $16.00 per kilo return (to a maximum of 10kg). If you are not a diver and unable to store your excess luggage please speak to our Reservations team. Price valid from 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024. 

Storage is available at our Gold Coast, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg offices, we can store your excess luggage for the duration of your stay on Lady Elliot providing you are returning to the same port. Unfortunately, storage is not available at Redcliffe.

Due to the limited capacity of the aircraft baggage compartments, individual items cannot exceed 15kg and 70cm x 40cm x 30cm. Items larger than this are unable to be carried.

Day guests are limited to a small backpack (max 4kg) or personal items eg. Handbag/purse, tablet or laptop in thin case, camera, coat/wrap. Items must be carried on the lap or put in the baggage compartment as there are no overhead lockers and there is no stowage facility under the seats.

A deposit is required at time of booking and the balance is required 14 days prior to the commencement of your overnight stay. For bookings less than 14 days prior to departure, full payment is required upon booking. For Day Tours full payment is required 7 days prior to travel. Secure online payments can be made via BPoint or payment can be made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex or JCB). Australian bank account holders can pay by direct deposit, bank details for direct deposit are available from our Reservations Team. If you are a Travel Agent, please refer to your payment terms. 

An account will be set up at your check-in with a credit card imprint. You may charge to your account from the Lagoon Bar, Dining Room, Gift Shop and the Dive Shop. This account can be settled upon check out using Credit Cards, Cash or EFTPOS. There are no cash withdrawals.

If you do not have a credit card, you can make your purchases using EFTPOS or cash.

Simply bring along your swimwear, hat, sunscreen, camera and some footwear suitable for getting wet eg. old sneakers, reef walking shoes (covered toes) or crocs.

Pack some casual clothes along with your toiletries, swimwear, hat, sunscreen, camera, chargers and some comfortable footwear. Ladies may wish to bring shampoo, conditioner and a hairdryer. Make sure you also bring some suitable footwear for getting wet eg. old sneakers, reef walking shoes (covered toes) or crocs.

No, both beach and bath towels are provided during your stay on Lady Elliot Island.

Sorry, as Lady Elliot is situated within a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ‘Green Zone’ (NO take zone), fishing is not permitted from any part of the Island or its surrounding waters.