Accommodation
Day Visits
Getting Here
Snorkel & Dive
Sustainability
With more than a decade living and working on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Jessica has become one of the island’s leading voices on reef ecology, marine wildlife, reef stewardship and sustainable tourism.
Jessica is known for translating the complexities of the Great Barrier Reef into engaging stories and immersive experiences that inspire curiosity, connection and conservation. Her career with Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort started in guest services in 2013, however, Jessica quickly discovered her passion lay beyond the front desk. After moving into guest activities, where she led snorkel tours, guided walks, and educational presentations, she became recognised for her ability to connect people with the natural world through storytelling, immersive experiences and a deep passion for the Great Barrier Reef.
In 2018, Jessica was selected as part of the inaugural cohort of the Great Barrier Reef Master Reef Guide Program. The experience transformed the way Jessica approaches guiding.
As Activities Supervisor, Jessica helped develop many of the engaging environmental storytelling experiences that have become a hallmark of the guest experience today. She also established Lady Elliot Island’s reef protection program, combining conservation with guest education before progressing into the role of Environmental Education Officer. There, she brought together reef stewardship, educational tours, museum curation, staff training and environmental management, before being appointed Environmental Manager in 2023.
Today, Jessica leads environmental programs across the island, including:
- Reef health monitoring
- Crown-of-Thorns Starfish and Drupella control
- Wildlife monitoring
- Environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives
She also oversees environmental education, interpretation, and training, helping ensure every guest experience is grounded in scientific credibility, conservation outcomes and a meaningful connection to place.
In 2023, she led the development of Lady Elliot Island’s Cultural Heritage Museum, researching the island’s history, collaborating with former lighthouse keepers and curating stories that connect visitors with the island’s rich cultural heritage.
She is passionate about helping guests discover the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary, revealing the intricate relationships, behaviours and adaptations that make the Great Barrier Reef one of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems.
Whether guiding a first-time snorkeller, training team members, supporting researchers, speaking with media or leading conservation projects, Jessica’s goal is to create meaningful experiences that reconnect people with nature. She hopes to spark curiosity, inspire stewardship and leave people feeling hopeful about the future of the Reef. Jessica believes that while coral reefs face significant pressures, hope, meaningful experiences and practical conservation stories are far more powerful motivators for change than fear alone.
Jessica received recognition including Silver in the 2024 Queensland Top Tour Guide Awards, recognising her contributions to environmental interpretation and visitor experiences, and continues to mentor guides and support the next generation of reef storytellers and environmental leaders.
For Jessica, the most rewarding part of her work is watching someone experience the Great Barrier Reef for the first time. More than a decade after arriving on Lady Elliot Island, she remains driven by the belief that meaningful experiences can change the way people see the natural world. Her goal is simple: for every visitor to leave not only with unforgettable memories, but with a deeper connection to the Reef and the inspiration to help protect it for future generations.
Media Topics
Jessica is available for interviews, media appearances, documentaries, educational programming and hosted experiences on topics relating to the Great Barrier Reef, marine conservation and sustainable tourism, including:
- Great Barrier Reef health and resilience
- Sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship
- Climate change and coral reef ecosystems
- Coral predator management: Crown-of-Thorns Starfish and Drupella Snails
- Citizen science and reef monitoring
- Marine wildlife behaviour and ecology
- Manta rays, turtles and reef megafauna
- Life and work on a remote coral cay island