Liveaboard Diving in Lizard Island
What To Expect On A Lizard Island Liveaboard
Often used by Australian liveaboard cruises to start or end their itinerary, Lizard Island is a tiny tropical paradise, with picture-perfect white sandy beaches leading to fringing reefs teaming with colorful coral and marine life. This will allow guests to complete the other leg of the journey to/from Cairns aboard a low-level reef flight, from which the views of the reef are unparalleled. As the name suggests, the Lizard Island National Park is located on the island and is situated to the very north of the Great Barrier Reef - a perfect spot to relax at the end of a memorable liveaboard dive trip or become inspired at the very start. The waters surrounding the island have superb diving and snorkeling, and many famous sites, such as Cod Hole, are within easy reach.
The island was first stumbled upon by Captain James Cook on the 12th of August 1770, who named it after the famous Goanna - a large Australian lizard that roams freely all over the national park. Located approximately 230 kilometers from Cairns and 1600 kilometers from the Queensland state capital, Brisbane, Lizard Island gives the traveler a sense of remoteness in very few places across the globe. A great way to experience the crystal clear waters around the island is as part of a liveaboard diving cruise.
What You Can See
Although the stunning scenery and secluded picturesque powdery beaches on Lizard Island are worth the trip themselves, it's what lies beneath the surrounding waters that is the star attraction here. Snorkeling and diving are possible from a liveaboard in the fringing reefs surrounding the island, with easy access to nine beautiful sites. There's a wide spectrum of reef life, including chilled-out turtles, sleek reef sharks, and dazzling coral. Very few tourists make it to Lizard Island, so the snorkeling and diving spots are quiet, allowing you to admire your surroundings in peace.
The rarely visited sites of Bank's Bank, The Plateau, and North Direction Island are within easy reach of Lizard Island. A little further out is the world-famous Cod Hole, which will certainly be on your itinerary if you visit Lizard Island on a liveaboard diving cruise. There's no site quite like this on the planet where you can swim next to the friendly and sociable human-size giant Potato Cod that has given this great spot its name.
How To Get To Lizard Island
Access to this stunning speck of granite and sand is limited, meaning that only a handful of tourists can travel here. It's possible to fly directly from Cairns, but this is a pricey option, as journeys can be upwards of $500! The alternative and best way to get to Lizard Island is as part of an Australian liveaboard cruise lasting a few days and nights, which gives you ample opportunity to relax in style while sailing through and jumping in amongst the best of what the Great Barrier Reef offers. Many liveaboard operators also include a scenic flight to or from Lizard Island.
Liveaboard.com has several comfortable and luxury liveaboard dive boats, setting sail from Cairns in the north of Queensland. Regular daily flights arrive here from large Australian cities such as Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne; however, you'll likely be able to fly into Cairns directly from overseas, as it has a well-equipped international airport. The airport is close to town and has various accommodations from where most liveaboard operators will arrange to pick you up.
