Lizard Island is Australia’s northernmost island resort, located 240km north of Cairns and 93km north east off the coast from Cooktown. Lizard Island is an absolute tropical paradise, a haven of isolation, gratification and relaxation.
In 1770 Captain James Cook first ventured into these uncharted reaches as the last chance for a crew seeking freedom from the beautiful but deadly coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. Cook anchored in one of the island’s bays and climbed to the top of the hill now known as Cook’s Look. There he surveyed a suitable passage away from the island.
On Lizard Island, goannas can be found almost everywhere, and were so common when James Cook first landed that it didn’t take him long to name the island after them.
Today, Lizard Island offers the best of the Great Barrier Reef, both the inner and outer Reef experiences. Here you can snorkel off a secluded beach, there are 24 powdery white beaches just waiting to be explored, and swim in the famous Blue Lagoon.
Venture a little further a field, set your sights on the sheer magnificence of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Lizard Island is a National Park covering over 1000 hectares, the highest peak being Cooks Look at 359 meters, and the prolific bird life will amaze. It has its own airstrip and Royal Flying Doctor medical facilities, with 24 hour radio contact with the Flying Doctor base in Cairns.
Those in search of real escape continue to voyage from all corners of the earth to experience this rare and remarkable reef adventure. They come to experience the complete freedom, the breathtaking views and countless tropical delights this exotic destination affords the discerning traveler.
Lizard Island Resort
Shrouded with tropical palms and deserted sandy shores, the ultra-exclusive Lizard Island Resort is situated right on the world famous Great Barrier Reef.
Accommodation consist of private rooms with a balcony overlooking magnificent sandy beaches and native gardens.
Activities include, but are not limited to tennis, windsurfing, water-skiing, catamaran sailing, glass bottom boat trips, paddle skis, outboard dinghies, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, bushwalking, hiking and picnics.
The diving is the best in the world, and there are no day-trippers to clatter past, just attentive service, heaped plates of tropical fruit and freshly cooked seafood, the soft breeze on your veranda, absolute quiet, champagne, and each other. Basically, this Resort is paradise!
Diving at Lizard Island
Lizard Island is renowned for its diving. At the world famous ‘Cod Hole’, one of the many unforgettable dive sites that are close by and a favourite spot that fascinates divers, you’ll get to experience the countless and dazzling array of tropical fish, and come face to face with a massive yet curious Potato Cod swimming right up to inspect you with child-like curiosity.
For a more up close experience of this lively underwater world, Lizard Island Resort can arrange diving trips out to the heart of the great barrier reef. There are also night dives and diving tuition available for guests. The following video shows the Cod Hole, just near the island.
Getting to Lizard Island
There is no direct connection from Cooktown to Lizard Island, however, you can head to Cairns and make your way to the island from there. There are no regular scheduled flights or boats to and from Lizard Island, except as part of a resort package.
Any visitors to the island (except resort guests) will need to arrange their own transport by chartering commercial flights or vessels, or by making use of private aircraft or boats.