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Australia was recently voted the world’s ultimate wildlife destination, home to hundreds of fascinating species found nowhere else on Earth. While kangaroos and koalas get all the press, you need to dive below the surface to experience the true breadth and beauty of our ecosystem. Nowhere is this more breathtaking than the Great Barrier Reef, where Lonely Planet has just named one secret island among the world's ten best snorkelling spots.
The underwater wonderland in question is Lady Elliot Island – a 45-hectare coral cay at the southernmost tip of Queensland’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Sitting in one of the marine park’s highly protected “Green Zones”, this sanctuary is a strictly enforced “no-take” area where marine life is left completely undisturbed. Thanks to these top-tier conservation efforts, the island’s waters are thriving with more than 1,200 spectacular marine species.
Dubbed the ‘home of the manta ray’, Lady Elliot Island is one of the rare places on Earth where you can swim with giant manta rays and turtles in their natural habitat. Peak season (May to July) draws more than 700 rays to the island, which you can spot from the sky, the shores and, of course, while snorkelling in its crystal-clear waters.
Year-round, you can walk right from the island's coral-sand beaches to snorkel alongside resident green and loggerhead turtles. Time your visit between November and March for nesting season or February to April to watch tiny hatchlings make their break for the ocean. Then from June to October, keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales. Visit during these months, and you’ll often hear whale songs echoing underwater as you snorkel and dive around the island.
According to Lonely Planet expert Coralie Modschiedler, “The shallow lagoon fringing the eastern side of the island is best for families and beginners, while the coral gardens on the western side have deeper waters ideal for the more seasoned snorkeller.”
You can reach Lady Elliot Island via an incredibly scenic flight from Hervey Bay (40 minutes), Brisbane (80 minutes) or the Gold Coast (100 minutes). The island is also home to an award-winning eco-retreat that hosts up to 100 day guests and 150 overnight guests, with stays inclusive of meals, snorkel hire and lessons, a glass-bottom boat tour and more.
The 10 best places in the world to snorkel
- Lady Elliot Island, Australia
- Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
- Thumbi, Malawi
- Cebu, Philippines
- Radhanagar, Andaman Islands
- Hanauma Bay, Hawaii
- Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
- Tofo Beach, Mozambique
- Roatán Island, Honduras
- Abu Dabbab Bay, Egypt