Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Southern Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island, Queensland 4805 Australia
Full view
View all photos(2,109)2,109
Room & Suite (209)
Videos (2)
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
About
4.5
#1 of 1 resort in Lady Elliot IslandLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay located at the southern tip of Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef, 80kms north-east of Bundaberg (north of Fraser Island). The island is regarded as one of the best snorkelling and diving destinations on the Great Barrier Reef and is famous for its unspoilt coral reef and amazing array of spectacular marine life including turtles, manta rays, reef sharks and the entire cast of Finding Nemo. Lonely Planet voted Lady Elliot Island # 2 of “The 7 best beaches for snorkelling around the world” in February 2020. Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort provides a range of low key accommodation options ranging from 2BR Beachfront Units to our new Eco Cabins for those on a budget as well as two Glamping Tents for couples. The overnight rate includes: Buffet dinner and breakfast daily; One free glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour per person; Free use of snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins); Snorkel lesson if required; Range of guided Island activities/tours; and Environmental management charge. Scenic flight transfers depart daily from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast, Brisbane (Redcliffe) and Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Paid internet
Pool
Restaurant
Beach
Diving
Books, DVDs, music for children
Children's playground
Gift shop
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Kid-friendly buffet
Special diet menus
Snorkelling
Table tennis
Board games / puzzles
Highchairs available
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers / beach chairs
First aid kit
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Private bathrooms
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Walk-in shower
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English
Location
Reviews
4.5
1,498 reviews
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is praised for its snorkeling facilities and array of activities, offering comfortable yet modest accommodations. Guests appreciate the cleanliness of the rooms, although shared facilities might need self-cleaning after heavy use. The service at the resort is often highlighted as friendly and helpful, contributing to memorable stays.
While some guests find the resort to be on the expensive side, many feel that the unique experiences justify the price. However, it's noted that some accommodations may not cater well to the elderly.
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Satisfactory
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
1,498Reviews87Q+A100Room tips
Traveller rating
- 1,176
- 238
- 54
- 15
- 15
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
If you're a fan of snorkeling then this is the place for you! We stayed for two nights on Lady Elliot Island, and we went for one of the Garden rooms whilst we were there.
The reef is literally straight off the beach, don't take that as a figure of speech, it really is! The Lagoon, which in front of the resort, is perfect for kids/beginners, whilst the Lighthouse and Coral Gardens are the deeper areas where you will see the larger sea creatures including sharks, rays and turtles. Check the turtle breeding season before you go, as we went in January and got to see the turtles laying eggs.
As part of our stay, we did the glass bottom boat ride, and we also paid for the snorkel safari, which allowed us to go a little bit further out and see some of the bigger sea creatures, and got to see a number of sharks, turtles and rays. Would highly recommend doing.
The island is also a sea bird sanctuary, so be prepared for the noise and smell, but you get used to it. The resorts provides ear-plugs which I strongly recommend using if you're planning on staying.
Accommodation was basic so don't expect much, especially on the air conditioning side of things, as all we had was a fan in the room. Beds were still pretty comfortable, plenty of hot water and could get your towels cleaned if you so wished daily (though it wouldn't be very environmentally friendly if you did!).
Quality and variety of the food available was much better than I expected, and they also cater for vegan, gluten-free and vegetarians.
All staff were happy, smiling, friendly, helpful and informative, and special shout out to Tanile and Rachel for doing an awesome job.
All in all, it's definitely what you call a once in a lifetime experience, and although it may be a tad pricey, it's well worth it.
The reef is literally straight off the beach, don't take that as a figure of speech, it really is! The Lagoon, which in front of the resort, is perfect for kids/beginners, whilst the Lighthouse and Coral Gardens are the deeper areas where you will see the larger sea creatures including sharks, rays and turtles. Check the turtle breeding season before you go, as we went in January and got to see the turtles laying eggs.
As part of our stay, we did the glass bottom boat ride, and we also paid for the snorkel safari, which allowed us to go a little bit further out and see some of the bigger sea creatures, and got to see a number of sharks, turtles and rays. Would highly recommend doing.
The island is also a sea bird sanctuary, so be prepared for the noise and smell, but you get used to it. The resorts provides ear-plugs which I strongly recommend using if you're planning on staying.
Accommodation was basic so don't expect much, especially on the air conditioning side of things, as all we had was a fan in the room. Beds were still pretty comfortable, plenty of hot water and could get your towels cleaned if you so wished daily (though it wouldn't be very environmentally friendly if you did!).
Quality and variety of the food available was much better than I expected, and they also cater for vegan, gluten-free and vegetarians.
All staff were happy, smiling, friendly, helpful and informative, and special shout out to Tanile and Rachel for doing an awesome job.
All in all, it's definitely what you call a once in a lifetime experience, and although it may be a tad pricey, it's well worth it.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
+1
We stayed overnight on the Lady Elliot Island resort. We were travelling as a family: myself, husband and 1 year old.
If you don’t love NATURE this is NOT the island adventure for you.
The scenic flight over was amazing, a small plane allowed us to see the nearby coast, the pilot circled over the island as we got closer so we could see the beautiful Cay as we were coming into land.
At this time of year it is bird season, as I’ve said above if you don’t LOVE nature this may not be the place for you. There were an incredible amount of birds, this did make certain areas of the island very chirpy (which we loved) and sometimes a little smelly as you’d expect with birds nesting. This is a tiny price to pay to see the most beautiful birds. I’m sure it would only be like this during nesting season.
We stayed in one of the reef rooms, the beach on our doorstep. The island is breathtaking and well looked after. The water is crystal clear and the reef is abundant with coral, fish and turtles.
We came during turtle laying season and saw a hatchling.
The rooms are very basic but clean, you really don’t need anything more than what is provided as you are too busy exploring the nature of the island.
The food is a buffet style or you can pay and order from the bar, they have a slightly different menu. They cater for everyone, I was happy as they had coconut milk. You can order drinks or cocktails for sunset watching.
They are set up for children and infants, but I would say that this island is for adventuring so your little one will need to be ok with travelling without comforts. You can’t really use a pram on the island, a carrier is preferable.
The staff are friendly and helpful, they are very knowledgeable.
The glass bottom boat was amazing, we saw 3 Manta Rays, so many turtles and lots of beautiful coral and fish. It’s a great part of the reef.
Well worth the trip, I only wish we had stayed another night.
I’ve seen some reviews on here that are whingey about aspects of the island. Please remember this isn’t a tropical resort, it’s a island to see all the incredible protected species. It’s 80km plus off shore, be excited that you are staying in the middle of the ocean among nature. If you want TVs, reception, waiters, luxe food and pools maybe stay at a resort on the mainland. If you want to see untouched reef, beautiful scenery, sunset and sunrise with no interruptions... stay here! It’s bliss
If you don’t love NATURE this is NOT the island adventure for you.
The scenic flight over was amazing, a small plane allowed us to see the nearby coast, the pilot circled over the island as we got closer so we could see the beautiful Cay as we were coming into land.
At this time of year it is bird season, as I’ve said above if you don’t LOVE nature this may not be the place for you. There were an incredible amount of birds, this did make certain areas of the island very chirpy (which we loved) and sometimes a little smelly as you’d expect with birds nesting. This is a tiny price to pay to see the most beautiful birds. I’m sure it would only be like this during nesting season.
We stayed in one of the reef rooms, the beach on our doorstep. The island is breathtaking and well looked after. The water is crystal clear and the reef is abundant with coral, fish and turtles.
We came during turtle laying season and saw a hatchling.
The rooms are very basic but clean, you really don’t need anything more than what is provided as you are too busy exploring the nature of the island.
The food is a buffet style or you can pay and order from the bar, they have a slightly different menu. They cater for everyone, I was happy as they had coconut milk. You can order drinks or cocktails for sunset watching.
They are set up for children and infants, but I would say that this island is for adventuring so your little one will need to be ok with travelling without comforts. You can’t really use a pram on the island, a carrier is preferable.
The staff are friendly and helpful, they are very knowledgeable.
The glass bottom boat was amazing, we saw 3 Manta Rays, so many turtles and lots of beautiful coral and fish. It’s a great part of the reef.
Well worth the trip, I only wish we had stayed another night.
I’ve seen some reviews on here that are whingey about aspects of the island. Please remember this isn’t a tropical resort, it’s a island to see all the incredible protected species. It’s 80km plus off shore, be excited that you are staying in the middle of the ocean among nature. If you want TVs, reception, waiters, luxe food and pools maybe stay at a resort on the mainland. If you want to see untouched reef, beautiful scenery, sunset and sunrise with no interruptions... stay here! It’s bliss
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
We spent 5 days on the island in Octobe r2020.
It is going to be a hard review to write because I loved the experience overall but there could be some improvements.
The little plane trip from Harvey Bay was a great way to start.
Upon arrival the island immediately brings peace to the senses.
The Reef rooms are simple, have been refurnished recently and very comfortable, the view from our room was superb.
The Reef cottages come in a block of three, so if you are after total privacy, this will not suit.
we had great neighbors on either side and it turned out to be a plus.
The verandas are a great place to sit if you want to read or simply enjoy the beauty.
The outside furniture is very basic and uncomfortable, some kind of bench arrangement against the wall.
This I feel could be improved as one spends a fair amount of time there.
The common areas are well appointed and the views are beautiful wherever you are while there.
My biggest disappointment was the food.
It felt like I had gone back to the 70s in Australia..
The food is served as a buffet style served individually because of covid.
It reminded me of my boarding school days.
The coffee was undrinkable, too hot and too milky, I drank tea.
The staff is a mixture, some were good and some were average, overall it felt like the staff did not have a lot of hospitality skills.
There was a young girl behind the bar, I called her snappy.
The snorkeling was a beautiful experience and the staff at the activities center was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.
Considering the cost of staying on the island in a Reef cottage is by no means cheap, the food needs improvement, the presentation of the food needs improvement.
The dining room at night is very sombre, the lighting requires more warmth.
Overall I would still give the Resort 4 stars.
The food and dining experience one star.
The beauty of the island a 5
The activities a 54 and a half
The sunset beach 5 stars.
It is going to be a hard review to write because I loved the experience overall but there could be some improvements.
The little plane trip from Harvey Bay was a great way to start.
Upon arrival the island immediately brings peace to the senses.
The Reef rooms are simple, have been refurnished recently and very comfortable, the view from our room was superb.
The Reef cottages come in a block of three, so if you are after total privacy, this will not suit.
we had great neighbors on either side and it turned out to be a plus.
The verandas are a great place to sit if you want to read or simply enjoy the beauty.
The outside furniture is very basic and uncomfortable, some kind of bench arrangement against the wall.
This I feel could be improved as one spends a fair amount of time there.
The common areas are well appointed and the views are beautiful wherever you are while there.
My biggest disappointment was the food.
It felt like I had gone back to the 70s in Australia..
The food is served as a buffet style served individually because of covid.
It reminded me of my boarding school days.
The coffee was undrinkable, too hot and too milky, I drank tea.
The staff is a mixture, some were good and some were average, overall it felt like the staff did not have a lot of hospitality skills.
There was a young girl behind the bar, I called her snappy.
The snorkeling was a beautiful experience and the staff at the activities center was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.
Considering the cost of staying on the island in a Reef cottage is by no means cheap, the food needs improvement, the presentation of the food needs improvement.
The dining room at night is very sombre, the lighting requires more warmth.
Overall I would still give the Resort 4 stars.
The food and dining experience one star.
The beauty of the island a 5
The activities a 54 and a half
The sunset beach 5 stars.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amy G, Marketing at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Responded 9 Dec 2020
Good morning Jeanne G, Thank you for taking the time to review Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. We are pleased to hear that overall, you have an enjoyable experience. We are sorry to hear that the food quality impacted your stay. On Lady Elliot Island we normally operate under a self-serve buffet concept for all meals plus a café option for lunch. Due to Covid-19 and the government-imposed restrictions in place we are unable to offer our usual self-serve buffet and are operating using different methods and equipment. We take on board your comments in relation to the food and will be discussing this with our team to ensure the standard does remain high for the satisfaction of all our guests. We do hope this has not deterred you from a future stay, we hope to see you again. Thank you
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Our family had to holiday in Queensland this year so after googling around we decided to venture up north.
We first drove to Susan River Homestead situated a leisurely 3.5 hrs drive north of Brisbane as our first stop for 3 nights and then drove to Hervey Bay Airport where we left the car in secure parking and flew to Lady Elliott.
Island
The island during summer. They don't even clean the verandah's with the poop on it just stays there and is disgusting, its infested with noisy birds. The birds poop everywhere and the stench is awful. They are also very loud and the noise is constant. Ear plugs are provided in your unit for night use. If you leave towels out to dry on the porch the bird will poop on them, if you leave clothes out to dry same. Its pretty awful.
Things to Do on the Island
Unless you dive (divers paradise) or snorkel there is absolutely nothing to do on the island. The island does not cater for kids there is really nothing for them to do. The pool cues were broken and not replaced so couldn’t play pool. There is a swimming pool and a TV with DVD should you so wish to watch a movie. The movie selection must be 15 years old and needs an update. Some families enjoy watching a movie with their kids and it would be nice if it was updated. There is aircon in this room.
Amount of Days on the Island
We were there 5 nights – this was way too long for this island with nothing to do.
2-3 nights is sufficient.
Wifi
There is Wifi up at the lighthouse if you are with Telstra but the resort will not tell you as they want you to pay for the internet.
Washing Facilities
There is a washing machine and dryer and iron for use (you buy the washing power from the reception).
Value for Money Resort
I don’t think this resort is value for money. Over priced for what you get.
Breakfast and Dinner (which is included)
Average nothing to rave about but it’s a buffet and you can go back as many times as you like. Due to Covid buffet was till on but staff were serving customers.
Staff
Could do with a smile for guests on occasions or be a little friendlier we are of course paying top dollar to be there.
Dive Shop
My husband was a little peeved when his and our daughter’s morning session in the pool was bumped from 9am to 10am.
He was even more pissed off when the dive that was scheduled for 2pm was cancelled (without them even trying to notify us as guests) to 3pm. We had set out day with the dive at 2pm and were then told that there were other divers more experienced and we were bumped.
Come on what about a little courtesy with telling the less experienced divers to check at least 30 minutes before the dive to see whether it’s still on – its hot hard Lady Elliott its actually JUST A COURTESY. Implement this ASAP!
Please give me a thumbs up if you liked my review – many thanks for reading.
We first drove to Susan River Homestead situated a leisurely 3.5 hrs drive north of Brisbane as our first stop for 3 nights and then drove to Hervey Bay Airport where we left the car in secure parking and flew to Lady Elliott.
Island
The island during summer. They don't even clean the verandah's with the poop on it just stays there and is disgusting, its infested with noisy birds. The birds poop everywhere and the stench is awful. They are also very loud and the noise is constant. Ear plugs are provided in your unit for night use. If you leave towels out to dry on the porch the bird will poop on them, if you leave clothes out to dry same. Its pretty awful.
Things to Do on the Island
Unless you dive (divers paradise) or snorkel there is absolutely nothing to do on the island. The island does not cater for kids there is really nothing for them to do. The pool cues were broken and not replaced so couldn’t play pool. There is a swimming pool and a TV with DVD should you so wish to watch a movie. The movie selection must be 15 years old and needs an update. Some families enjoy watching a movie with their kids and it would be nice if it was updated. There is aircon in this room.
Amount of Days on the Island
We were there 5 nights – this was way too long for this island with nothing to do.
2-3 nights is sufficient.
Wifi
There is Wifi up at the lighthouse if you are with Telstra but the resort will not tell you as they want you to pay for the internet.
Washing Facilities
There is a washing machine and dryer and iron for use (you buy the washing power from the reception).
Value for Money Resort
I don’t think this resort is value for money. Over priced for what you get.
Breakfast and Dinner (which is included)
Average nothing to rave about but it’s a buffet and you can go back as many times as you like. Due to Covid buffet was till on but staff were serving customers.
Staff
Could do with a smile for guests on occasions or be a little friendlier we are of course paying top dollar to be there.
Dive Shop
My husband was a little peeved when his and our daughter’s morning session in the pool was bumped from 9am to 10am.
He was even more pissed off when the dive that was scheduled for 2pm was cancelled (without them even trying to notify us as guests) to 3pm. We had set out day with the dive at 2pm and were then told that there were other divers more experienced and we were bumped.
Come on what about a little courtesy with telling the less experienced divers to check at least 30 minutes before the dive to see whether it’s still on – its hot hard Lady Elliott its actually JUST A COURTESY. Implement this ASAP!
Please give me a thumbs up if you liked my review – many thanks for reading.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amy G, Marketing at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Responded 9 Feb 2021
Dear 729traceyb, Thank you for taking the time to review Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort on Trip Advisor. We are sorry to hear that your stay on Lady Elliot Island did not meet your holiday expectations. Our team is committed to continual improvement and we do appreciate you taking the time to provide your recent feedback. Please accept our sincere apologies that your holiday did not meet your expectations. We understand that the smell of bird poop can be quite confronting to some of our guests. However, this smell is characteristic of most coral cays. Lady Elliot Island is the second largest bird rookery on the Great Barrier Reef and in the summer months it is home to hundreds of thousands of sea birds. This information is readily available on our website under the ‘Nature Calendar’ section. Due to this, it is inevitable for bird poop to be a common sight on Lady Elliot Island, and our Maintenance Team follow a routine cleaning schedule to help with keeping our buildings and grounds clean. Lady Elliot Island is a low-key 3.5-star Resort. We do not boast resort facilities, the major drawcard to the Island is snorkelling and diving on the Great Barrier Reef. We do, however, have a small games area, tv room with DVD player, children’s playground, night activities including trivia and bingo and an extensive Reef Education Centre. Other activities for children include reef walking, reef rangers’ program (inside QLD/NSW school holidays) and numerous educational Island walks and talks. In regard to your experience with our Dive Shop, we have spoken directly to the Team and have ensured this does not occur again in the future. We are sorry that this impacted your stay but please do not let this deter you from visiting again! Thank you
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent 4 nights at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort last spring. The villa was great and so was the food. There were signs marking turtle nests within a few yards of our villa. Most of the turtles had already hatched for the season, but the resort organized nightly tours for resort guests to watch the turtles hatch and run into the sea. We had to wait until it got dark, so everyone carried a flashlight. The tour guides explained that light from our flashlights could confuse the baby turtles, so we were told that as soon as we saw baby turtle emerge from the next, we should turn off our flashlights. There was no limit on the number of guests allowed on each tour. People were stepping all over the beach and could not see where there were nests. If you wanted to see baby turtles, you had to use the flashlight, which causes great harm to the baby turtles. It makes no sense that hundreds of people are allowed to walk right up to the nests and are encouraged to use flashlights (just turn them off as soon as you see a baby turtle???). Had I known we would be adding to the problem, I never would have stayed at this so-called eco-resort, which lures tourists with promises of baby turtle sightings. Instead, all areas with turtle nests should be fenced off, and no one should be allowed to go anywhere near those nests at night with flashlights.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from LEIManagement, General Manager at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Responded 11 May 2020
Dear oregonhickmans We were glad to hear that you enjoyed your villa and food during your stay at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Your review states that you stayed on Lady Elliot Island back in June 2019, however, there are no turtles nesting or hatching at that time of the year so we are a bit concerned about your feedback regarding the turtle tour. Turtle nesting and hatching season is a magical time on the island and the turtle hatching season normally runs from February through to April (turtle nesting Nov - Mar). Being a fully accredited eco resort we have a strict cap on the number of overnight visitors approved by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority so there will never be 'hundreds of people' on Lady Elliot Island at any one time. Due to our own philosophical approach to protecting the fragile ecosystem we rarely reach 100 guests which is 66% of the approved limit. We keep our guided tours small and intimate to ensure minimal disruption to the marine life and wildlife whether above or below the water. The majority of tours, including the turtle tours, are a maximum of 20 people. We have very strict Eco Guidelines in place to help ensure that our turtle hatchlings make it safely to the ocean, we ask all our guests to minimise the use of flashlights on the beach at night, we also ask guests to minimise light pollution from their rooms by keeping the outside light turned off where possible and keeping curtains closed when using internal lights. If guests are lucky enough to see the hatchlings making their way to the ocean we ask that they give the hatchlings plenty of space and do not use flashlights or flash photography (this information is passed on by our experienced guides and is highlighted throughout the resort including the in room compendiums). We take this kind of feedback very seriously, however, it is difficult to investigate a tour that happened last year and, as mentioned, there were no turtle tours in July 2019. Please feel free to contact me directly so I can investigate further, please email daniel@ladyelliot.com.au. Kind regards Daniel Lukritz – General Manager
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Went to Lady Elliot Island for a couple days flying out from Hervey bay.
Flight check in, as well as check in at the resort was easy. We arrived around 10ish in the morning and we had Glamping tent # 1, which comes with a private bathroom. The tent is just a few meters back from the shore line. no AC, but the ceiling fan cooled it off nicely. Two options for snorkeling, one for beginners, but only accessilble at high tide, about a couple hours each side of high tide. The west cost has two snorkel trails for the more advanced. food and service was great. the day of check out, you have to leave your room at 10:00 AM, but there are public showers and change rooms, so you can use the entire day.
Flight check in, as well as check in at the resort was easy. We arrived around 10ish in the morning and we had Glamping tent # 1, which comes with a private bathroom. The tent is just a few meters back from the shore line. no AC, but the ceiling fan cooled it off nicely. Two options for snorkeling, one for beginners, but only accessilble at high tide, about a couple hours each side of high tide. The west cost has two snorkel trails for the more advanced. food and service was great. the day of check out, you have to leave your room at 10:00 AM, but there are public showers and change rooms, so you can use the entire day.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Glamping tents, private bathrooms, close to the beach, birds nesting close by. You can find ear...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We recently visited LEI as part of a five week trip to Australia and it was an inspired choice. This Eco Resort, a 35 minute light aircraft flight from Hervey Bay, has everything a nature lover needs for a perfect getaway from the distractions of modern life. If you are heading here to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings that this Coral Cay has to offer, together with fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities, this could be the place for you.
The staff here are passionate about what they do, and take great care to ensure that guests understand and enjoy the wonders of nature that surround them on this island paradise.
Watching turtles lay their eggs on the beach at night brings you as close to nature as it gets.
Being alone on the beach at the Lighthouse as dawn breaks, and watching a green turtle leave its nest and return to the Ocean is an experience that will live with me forever.
The richness of the sea life and coral is breathtaking.
The food and accommodation is of a good standard, but please remember this is an Eco Resort, water and resources are precious and guests are encouraged to respect this.
This is not a Luxury resort with widescreen TV’s, fantastic WiFi and luxury pools. It is a chance to experience the wonders of nature which surround us.
There is something special about waking up in your Reef Room, metres from the Lagoon and entering the Ocean for a refreshing dip with only a handful of other people in the vicinity.
Our sincere thanks to all the resort team,pilots and of course the main residents(the wildlife) for making this one of the key highlights of our adventures Down Under!
I am only sorry that I cannot upload some of the excellent photos to share with others as the upload button won’t allow.
Happy travels....
The staff here are passionate about what they do, and take great care to ensure that guests understand and enjoy the wonders of nature that surround them on this island paradise.
Watching turtles lay their eggs on the beach at night brings you as close to nature as it gets.
Being alone on the beach at the Lighthouse as dawn breaks, and watching a green turtle leave its nest and return to the Ocean is an experience that will live with me forever.
The richness of the sea life and coral is breathtaking.
The food and accommodation is of a good standard, but please remember this is an Eco Resort, water and resources are precious and guests are encouraged to respect this.
This is not a Luxury resort with widescreen TV’s, fantastic WiFi and luxury pools. It is a chance to experience the wonders of nature which surround us.
There is something special about waking up in your Reef Room, metres from the Lagoon and entering the Ocean for a refreshing dip with only a handful of other people in the vicinity.
Our sincere thanks to all the resort team,pilots and of course the main residents(the wildlife) for making this one of the key highlights of our adventures Down Under!
I am only sorry that I cannot upload some of the excellent photos to share with others as the upload button won’t allow.
Happy travels....
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from LEIManagement, General Manager at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Responded 16 Feb 2020
You are most welcome Lamby64, we are so happy to hear that Lady Elliot Island was one of the highlights of your adventures Down Under. It sounds like you had a wonderful stay on our precious coral cay and that you were able to witness the wonders of turtle nesting season, such a magical time of the year! Wishing you safe and happy travels. Kind regards Daniel Lukritz General Manager
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Where do I begin?!
Lady Elliot Island is a true paradise, a place where you can totally forget the rest of the world exists and just enjoy your surroundings.
After a year of being in and out of lockdown in Victoria, just being able to come here at all was such a blessing. But what I was to find here far exceeded my expectations! Thanks to covid it had been over a year since my last dive, so I had a dive refresher in the pool with Naz. It was very thorough and helped me get my confidence back in no time. That afternoon I was gearing up and jumping on the dive boat, ready to get in the water.
The deepest dive we did over the 4 days was around 19m, with most dives max depth around 15-16m. There were some strong currents but we descended and normally ascended along mooring lines which helped keep us all together. Every dive guide I had was wonderful and attentive, making sure everyone felt comfortable before and during the dive.
Highlights of our dives include but are not limited to:
MANTA RAYS! It was the very beginning of the season but we saw mantas every day
Huge loggerhead and green sea turtles
Large black and white tipped reef sharks
Octopus
Huge balls of baitfish
Big bull rays
And soooo many fish
Some of the best diving and snorkelling I’ve ever done. The lagoon is incredible and I found myself jumping in at sunrise and again at sunset (you can only swim in the lagoon at high tide). So much happening in that magical place 💕
If you are a nature lover and like a no frills low fuss and relaxing holiday, this is the place for you. If you do not like birds, or if you are after a luxury resort, you should probably consider a different holiday destination.
I absolutely loved living amongst all the seabirds and the back to basics lifestyle at the island. You can pay for wifi access but to be honest it was amazing to unplug for a few days.
Meals were all delicious and catered to all variety of dietary requirements and preferences. Coffee was excellent and the margaritas I had on my final night were tasty but deadly!
Every single staff member I met on the island was wonderful and passionate about their job.
I’d absolutely recommend Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort to anyone and everyone - and already have been to anyone who will listen 😂
Lady Elliot Island is a true paradise, a place where you can totally forget the rest of the world exists and just enjoy your surroundings.
After a year of being in and out of lockdown in Victoria, just being able to come here at all was such a blessing. But what I was to find here far exceeded my expectations! Thanks to covid it had been over a year since my last dive, so I had a dive refresher in the pool with Naz. It was very thorough and helped me get my confidence back in no time. That afternoon I was gearing up and jumping on the dive boat, ready to get in the water.
The deepest dive we did over the 4 days was around 19m, with most dives max depth around 15-16m. There were some strong currents but we descended and normally ascended along mooring lines which helped keep us all together. Every dive guide I had was wonderful and attentive, making sure everyone felt comfortable before and during the dive.
Highlights of our dives include but are not limited to:
MANTA RAYS! It was the very beginning of the season but we saw mantas every day
Huge loggerhead and green sea turtles
Large black and white tipped reef sharks
Octopus
Huge balls of baitfish
Big bull rays
And soooo many fish
Some of the best diving and snorkelling I’ve ever done. The lagoon is incredible and I found myself jumping in at sunrise and again at sunset (you can only swim in the lagoon at high tide). So much happening in that magical place 💕
If you are a nature lover and like a no frills low fuss and relaxing holiday, this is the place for you. If you do not like birds, or if you are after a luxury resort, you should probably consider a different holiday destination.
I absolutely loved living amongst all the seabirds and the back to basics lifestyle at the island. You can pay for wifi access but to be honest it was amazing to unplug for a few days.
Meals were all delicious and catered to all variety of dietary requirements and preferences. Coffee was excellent and the margaritas I had on my final night were tasty but deadly!
Every single staff member I met on the island was wonderful and passionate about their job.
I’d absolutely recommend Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort to anyone and everyone - and already have been to anyone who will listen 😂
Read more
Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
+1
Personally I don't think Lady Elliot Island was for me.. Although I am happy to live without all the luxuries I am used to - this place was very basic and very boring..
I don't feel like their was enough activities to do during the day although I understand snorkeling is the main draw to the island.. As a not so confident swimmer I didn't take this into consideration when I booked!
However the room we stayed in was lovely.. No TV which was disappointing but I understand is probability the intension of the island..
Buffet breakfast was reasonable and the paid lunch options were okay
Some members of staff were unfortunantly not helpful when I said I had certain dietry requirements!
However some of the staff let me use the almond milk from behind the counter for my breakfast free of charge which was greatly appreciated!
Dinner options were poor. Both evenings my partner was disappointed by the options for dinner and mostly filled up on bread.
Snorking however was an amazing experience I swam with a turtle and saw a tiger shark from a distance.
If you are looking for a very quiet and relaxing retreat where you can snorkel and chill out with no social media or television then this would be an amazing stay for you.
I don't feel like their was enough activities to do during the day although I understand snorkeling is the main draw to the island.. As a not so confident swimmer I didn't take this into consideration when I booked!
However the room we stayed in was lovely.. No TV which was disappointing but I understand is probability the intension of the island..
Buffet breakfast was reasonable and the paid lunch options were okay
Some members of staff were unfortunantly not helpful when I said I had certain dietry requirements!
However some of the staff let me use the almond milk from behind the counter for my breakfast free of charge which was greatly appreciated!
Dinner options were poor. Both evenings my partner was disappointed by the options for dinner and mostly filled up on bread.
Snorking however was an amazing experience I swam with a turtle and saw a tiger shark from a distance.
If you are looking for a very quiet and relaxing retreat where you can snorkel and chill out with no social media or television then this would be an amazing stay for you.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
+1
Good stuff first:
1) Beautiful environment and surrounds - that is without question.
2) Reef and outdoor activities staff really pleasant and you can tell they love their jobs and sharing with guests.
Now for the the less good stuff:
Accommodation is mega underwhelming. Nostalgic of school camp days from the freezing cold, canvas walled humpy on the first night ($1,100 dollars plus per night BTW) to the reef room which felt like luxury due to an internal loo and shower ($1,300 plus per night).
F&B was really reflective of a tired and uninspired set of side order cooks - definitely not chefs. Ingredients were really decent quality but the output was 1980's bowls club on a good day. The food service felt like a staff canteen where we had the displeasure of paying for it.
Photos attached of cubed cheese, cabana and every horrible cured meat one can imagine, packet salads, mucky deserts and your grandma's slices. When the least worst deserts ran out at 6pm the comments were that "they only made one tray of that", day after day. With little more effort so much better food can be produced.
My advice is stay on the mainland and go to Lady Musgrave on a couple of day trips.
Overall, I felt the experience was about 40% overpriced for a family of four to stay on the island. 3 nights total costs c.$5,000.
Or, save up and go to the Maldives when the world opens up.
Let's see if this honest review gets the usual aggressive response from Management who can't seem to look at their offering objectively.
1) Beautiful environment and surrounds - that is without question.
2) Reef and outdoor activities staff really pleasant and you can tell they love their jobs and sharing with guests.
Now for the the less good stuff:
Accommodation is mega underwhelming. Nostalgic of school camp days from the freezing cold, canvas walled humpy on the first night ($1,100 dollars plus per night BTW) to the reef room which felt like luxury due to an internal loo and shower ($1,300 plus per night).
F&B was really reflective of a tired and uninspired set of side order cooks - definitely not chefs. Ingredients were really decent quality but the output was 1980's bowls club on a good day. The food service felt like a staff canteen where we had the displeasure of paying for it.
Photos attached of cubed cheese, cabana and every horrible cured meat one can imagine, packet salads, mucky deserts and your grandma's slices. When the least worst deserts ran out at 6pm the comments were that "they only made one tray of that", day after day. With little more effort so much better food can be produced.
My advice is stay on the mainland and go to Lady Musgrave on a couple of day trips.
Overall, I felt the experience was about 40% overpriced for a family of four to stay on the island. 3 nights total costs c.$5,000.
Or, save up and go to the Maldives when the world opens up.
Let's see if this honest review gets the usual aggressive response from Management who can't seem to look at their offering objectively.
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2021
Service
Room Tip: do not accept room Eco 13 - you will want to leave straight away
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Lady Elliot Island, Marketing at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Responded 5 Aug 2021
Dear Adam, Thank you for taking the time to review your recent stay at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. As you requested in your on-island guest feedback form provided at check-out, I reached out to you last week via email to discuss your stay with us. Happy for you to contact me on the details provided in that email. Look forward to hearing from you to see how we can improve on future guest experiences. Best regards, Daniel
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thank you for contacting us. We do have a microwave in the laundry room which can be used by guests staying in the Eco Cabins.
In regards to breakfast, as we are an eco resort, we tend to encourage guests to have breakfast in the main restaurant where we can ensure food waste is properly disposed of. Breakfast is served between 6.30am and 9am, however we do cater to divers with a late breakfast if required.
I would suggest speaking with our Reservations team on +61 7 5536 3644 or alternately with the kitchen team upon arrival to the island. We are more than happy to assist you with ensuring some breakfast is available for you after your morning snorkel. We hope you have a wonderful stay on the island.
Thank you for your query. Our team would be delighted to discuss this further with you. If you could please contact our reservations team via email to inform us of which airport you are flying from, we can then look at possible storage options.
Thank you for your query. We have very limited availability and therefore I would suggest contacting our Reservations Team or checking our website Availability Calendar for accommodation options. Our Eco Cabins have shared bathroom facilities, however, all other room categories have their own ensuite bathrooms. Our Reef Units and Glamping Tents are a lovely option for couples.
In regards to diving, this will need to be arranged upon arrival to the island. Our Dive Shop can assist you with booking these in when you first land on beautiful Lady Elliot Island.
Hi Sue, Thank you for your question. We do have wifi available for purchase on the island, however please be aware that it is only available in the main resort restaurant area. We encourage our guests to enjoy the digital detox on the island. Full face masks (for snorkelling) are not permitted, however we do provide snorkel masks on the island for you to use. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact our team on +61 7 5536 3644
Thank you for sending through the above query. All of our room categories have hairdryers, apart from the Eco Cabins. If you are staying in an Eco Cabin, we have hairdryers available from reception.
…
"Book sunset drinks at the bar before 2:00pm. Your phone is unlikely to get reception so come to peace with that and enjoy the tranquility!"Read full review
"Definitely book as much in advance as you can! We booked for 2 nights but wish we booked at least double that!"Read full review
"Winter months there are no noisy birds & lots of manta rays which can be seen 100metres off beach both snorkelling & scuba."Read full review
"Be prepared for rustic accommodations that are entirely appropriate for the natural setting and support their sustainability goals."Read full review
"Read reviews, websites so you know what to expect. It's the 4 Seasons of snorkelling, not of hotelling, but that's great."Read full review
…
ALSO KNOWN AS
lady elliot island eco hotel lady elliot island
LOCATION
AustraliaQueenslandLady Elliot Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
44
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingLADY ELLIOT ISLAND ECO RESORT - 2024 Reviews - Photos of Resort - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
What are some of the property amenities at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and breakfast buffet.
What food & drink options are available at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, complimentary tea, and free instant coffee during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Is Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.3 km away from the centre of Lady Elliot Island.
Does Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.
Is Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.