Description

Lizard Island is Australia's northernmost island resort. It is located 150 miles north of Cairns and 57 miles north east off the coast from Cooktown.

The island was named Lizard Island by the famous Captain Cook, the first European ever to explore the island, because the only land animals seen by his crew there were lizards. Lizard Island is an absolute tropical paradise, a haven of isolation, gratification and relaxation with no fewer than twenty-four sandy beaches and you wake to bird call and rushing waves. Lizard Island is the best spot for tourists and professional divers to explore the famed coral wonderland of north Cooktown's Great Barrier Reef. For about 30 years now, the island's waters have been drawing thousands of marine biologists and divers, making it home to one of the most significant reef research stations in the world. A magnificent tropical island with over 1000 hectares of National Park, Lizard Island prides itself for being a renowned, world class diving and marine life destination.

Diving around Lizard Island is like coming face to face with the marine park's underwater treasures. This excellent diving destination hosts a spectacular site of interlocked reefs and coral-ringed isles. Snorkel over 150-year-old giant clams -- as well as gorgeous underwater coral -- in the Clam Garden, off this exclusive resort island northeast of Cairns is an unforgettable experience.

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef is a truly memorable experience, especially in these still relatively untouched northern waters. The size, variety and sheer quantity of corals and sea life have to be seen to be believed, and you never know what you might encounter on each dive – there always seems to be something different. For non-divers, the snorkeling is utterly superb; you can float over the reefs’ truly pristine sun-dappled shallows and not miss a thing.

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. Divers can also go way below the site's sandy floor area to watch the fish feeding activities on the surface water. Other famous marine life found in Cod Hole are the Whitetip, giant clams, anemones, feather stars, average coral covers, reef sharks, and Solomon's Sweetlip.

The dive site is suitable for novice divers, the depth of dive being 10-15 meters.

WDR.