If your holiday time is limited and the Great Barrier Reef is high on your checklist of things to see, this tour is for you. This day tour, including return flight to Lady Elliot Island, offers the only way to see the "true" Great Barrier Reef in a single day.
Departing early in the morning, you'll visit Lady Elliot; a true coral cay island located at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef. The island is regarded as one of the best diving and snorkelling locations on the reef and is famous for its unspoilt coral reef and amazing array of spectacular marine life. With exceptionally clear water year round, visitors will discover a diverse range of coral and colourful fish, and they might even encounter turtles, manta rays, dolphins and more.
As soon as you step off the plane you'll be greeted with spectacular sights from the lush greenery on the cay to the vibrant waters and coral surrounding it. You can swim and snorkel straight off the beach as the Great Barrier Reef surrounding the cay is considered one of the world's richest marine eco-systems where you can come face-to-face with a range of marine life including turtles, coral and schools of reef fish.
Step right off the plane and onto the beach to snorkel or swim swim with an array of sealife. Lady Elliot Island is known as the 'home of the manta ray'. Known as the 'kites of the reef' these giant creatures are known to breed and feed in the area at various times throughout the year (with peak season being May - Oct) providing guests with the chance to swim amongst them. Hosted by trained guides, you will spend the day snorkelling and fish feeding, exploring the reef on a glass bottom boat ride, reef and island walks, and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. You can see all of this in one day from the Gold Coast and be able to tell your friends you snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef!
Inclusions
- Return 'scenic' flight
- 5 hours to explore Lady Elliot Island
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Orientation / Island tour
- Combined glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour
- Hot & cold full buffet lunch including fresh prawns, wine, beer and soft drink
- Use of snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins & short wetsuit)
- Fish feeding in the Lagoon Fish Pool
- Snorkel lesson (if required)
- Use of Day Guest facilities (storage facilities, shower facilities, towels, sunscreen, reef walking shoes)
- Fully guided tour
- Hotel transfers (limited areas apply)
- Environmental Management Charge (EMC)
Itinerary
- 6:15am: Arrive at the Seair Hanger Coolangatta to check in for your scenic flight
- 6.45am: Depart Seair Terminal, Gold Coast for a Scenic Flight to Lady Elliot Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the aerial view of the Queensland Coastline
- 8.45am: Arrive on Lady Elliot Island, Southern Great Barrier Reef
- 9am-2.30pm: Enjoy the activities on Lady Elliot Island, brief Island Orientation Tour, Combined Glass Bottom Boat/Guided Snorkel Tour, Buffet Lunch and Afternoon Activity (tide dependent)
- 2.30pm: Depart for Scenic Flight back to the Gold Coast
- 4:30pm: Return back to Gold Coast
- The above itinerary may be subject to change. Flight times indicative. May include transit stops and dependent on weather.
Highlights
- Spectacular 90 minute scenic flight from the Gold Coast
- The only day tour of it's type in Australia
- View one of the most pristine sections of Australia's Great Barrier Reef from the air as well as from above and below the water
- One of the best snorkelling and diving locations on the Great Barrier Reef
- Guided tour on a glass bottom boat/guided tour
- Snorkel amongst the most amazing coral formations and marine creatures
- The coral gardens surrounding the island are a breeding and feeding area for the giant "kites of the sea" Manta Rays
- Aerial views of the Gold Coast, North & South Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island and Fraser Island
- Delicious Buffet lunch
Time
- Departure Time: Hotel pickup from 5:45am
- Check in 14-16 Lores Booney Circuit general aviation Coolangatta Airport
- Departure from Seair Pacific Hanger at 6:45am returning at approximately 4:30pm
- Flight time is 120 minutes
What To Bring
- Swimsuit
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Camera
Additional Information
- One light backpack only for all day tours (max 4kg)
- All activities are subject to weather and tide conditions
- Travel insurance is recommended
- Please provide each passenger's name and contact details in the booking note
- Cancellation fees apply
- No flights available Christmas day
Cancellation Policy
- No Cancellation Fee applies if the booking is cancelled outside of a 24 hours prior to departure.
- 100% cancellation fee applies if the booking is cancelled after 4:00pm the day prior to travel.
- 50% cancellation fee applies if the booking is cancelled before 4:00pm the day prior to travel.
- Day guests please be aware that Lady Elliot Island cannot be responsible for the weather. Should weather conditions result in cancellation of the tour, 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.
Booking Information
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- Offers and inclusions are subject to change without notice
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 48 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- The operator reserves the right to update their rates without notice