• Snorkel the Southern Great Barrier Reef at Lady Musgrave Island departing from 1770 next to Agnes Water, closest access point to Lady Musgrave Island.
• Lady Musgrave Island has it's own protected lagoon for you to snorkel the almost 10 kilometres of coral reef wall that is teaming with brilliant marine life
• Enjoy a guided walk on Lady Musgrave Island and learn all about her history and wildlife attractions
• At different times of the year you will see the Great Eight of the Great Barrier Reef. Whales, Manta Rays, Clown fish, Sharks, Giant clams, Potato Cod, Maori Wrasse and Turtles on our Lady Musgrave tours  
• Enjoy a glass bottom boat tour around the Lady Musgrave Island lagoon and see the colourful marine life and corals
• Small group tour (school holiday excluded) led by friendly local crew members.
• Exceptional water quality. Protected lagoon provides safe and calm conditions for year round snorkelling in crystal clear water.
• Daily encounters with turtles, reef fish, birds and other marine life, even whales during the migration season

Lady Musgrave Island tours depart from Seventeen Seventy daily for snorkel tours of the magnificent and safe 10 kilometre coral walled lagoon around the island that is simply teeming with a huge variety of marine life.

What to Expect

Lady Musgrave Island snorkelling tours from Seventeen Seventy next to Agnes Water. Discover the pristine beauty of Lady Musgrave Island on a daily snorkel tour departing from Seventeen Seventy based on the various tide times. This idyllic coral cay, nestled within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, boasts a magnificent 10-kilometer coral-walled lagoon teeming with diverse marine life.

Check-in at 1770 Marina and enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise to Lady Musgrave Island. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the friendly crew and provided with an overview of the Great Barrier Reef day tour activities. The reef tour includes snorkelling, guided island walks, and glass bottom boat tours, allowing you to experience the Great Barrier Reef both above and below the water.

Features and Highlights

• Unique Coral Cay: Lady Musgrave Island is the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a navigable lagoon and island.
• Abundant Marine Life: Home to 1,300 species of tropical fish and 350 species of hard and soft corals.
• World-Class Snorkelling: Enjoy unparalleled snorkelling experiences in calm, clear waters.
• Nature and Eco Tours: Swim with turtles and see magnificent manta rays year-round. Spot migrating humpback whales from June to September. Witness turtle breeding from October to December, and hatchlings from January to April.
• Glass Bottom Boat Viewing: Explore the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet on a 12-meter purpose-built glass bottom boat.
• Island Walks: Learn about Lady Musgrave Island's flora, fauna, and rich birdlife with a guided walk through the Pisonia Grandis forest.
• Great Barrier Reef Location: Located in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, a region renowned for its clear waters and vibrant marine ecosystems.
• The Great 8 Marine Icons: Lady Musgrave Island is one of the few places in the world where you can see all of the Great 8 marine icons, including whales, manta rays, clownfish, reef sharks, giant clams, potato cod, Maori wrasse, and turtles.

Lady Musgrave Island - Sample Day Tour Itinerary

• 8:30am: Check-in at 1770 Marina (time varies with tides and can be from 5am or 11am).
• Morning Tea: Fresh scones with jam and cream, and biscuits during the transfer.
• Boat Departure: Approximately 1.5-hour cruise to Lady Musgrave Island.
• Arrive at Island: Begin activities including guided island walk and glass bottom boat viewing.
• Lunch: Salad wraps with ham, salami, or chicken. Dietary alternatives available on request.
• Snorkelling: Explore the lagoon's underwater wonders.
• Afternoon Tea: Cheese platter and fresh fruit during the return trip.
• 5:30pm: Arrive back at 1770 Marina (time varies).

Catering Onboard

• Morning Tea: Freshly made scones, biscuits, and cakes.
• Lunch: Salad wraps with a choice of chicken, ham, or salami.
• Afternoon Tea: Antipasto platter and fresh seasonal fruit.
• Beverages: Tea, coffee, and chilled water available throughout the tour. Soft drinks and extra snacks available for purchase.

Activities on Lady Musgrave Island

Snorkelling

• Snorkel within the pristine Lady Musgrave Island lagoon.
• Snorkel session duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
• Snorkel location: our boats has a mooring in the lagon and stays there the whole day, this is where you will snorkel from
• The lagoon is abundant with 1,300 varieties of tropical fish and 350 species of hard and soft corals.
• Home to resident turtles year-round, with daily sightings and frequent encounters while snorkelling.
• The coral wall creates calm waters for snorkelling, making it very safe for non-swimmers and first-time snorkelers.
• Flotation aids including lifejackets and pool noodles are available for guest comfort.
• Fully supervised by a qualified crew member, with a rescue tender as an added safety precaution.

Guided Island Walk

• A 45-minute guided walk over less than 1km.
• Explore the Pisonia Grandis forest and learn about the symbiotic relationship between the trees and birds that makes life on Lady Musgrave Island possible.
• 300,000 migratory sea birds visit the island to nest each year between September to May, including wedge-tailed shearwaters.
• Buff-banded rails, eastern reef egrets, and other species of sea bird are resident year-round.
• During turtle nesting season (Oct – Dec), Loggerhead and Green Sea turtles return to the island each night to lay their eggs. Hatching season is from January to April.

Glass Bottom Boat Coral Viewing Tour

• Explore the Lady Musgrave Lagoon from above, including coral bommies abundant in fish.
• Local guides share knowledge on the lagoon and surrounding ocean habitats.
• Learn about the lagoon's intricate ecosystem and how species interact to survive within it.
• Lady Musgrave Island’s coral is exceptionally healthy, being far enough south in cool waters. It has not experienced any coral bleaching events in the past 10 years.

Experience the magic of Lady Musgrave Island with our all-inclusive snorkelling tour. Book now for an unforgettable adventure on the Great Barrier Reef!

See all tours and attractions in Seventeen Seventy and Agnes Water.

What Are The Activities On This Tour To Lady Musgrave Island?

Whilst at Lady Musgrave Island guests may choose to spend all of their time in the water snorkeling the 10 kilometer coral lagoon walls or join in the fascinating glass bottom boat tour and/or an eco-island walk to see the birds and wildlife and learn all about the history of the island and the Great Barrier Reef. 

This area of the Great Barrier Reef is famous for the sighting of squadrons of Mantaray and people come from far and wide to see them as they perform underwater ballet.

The size of the Mantaray is impressive as is the way they gently glide through the water feeding on large quantities of zooplankton and small fish.

A fascinating fact for you is each Manatray is identifiable by its unique underbelly marking and no two are the same.

Everyone loves sea turtles and we have plenty of them here at Lady Musgrave Island for you to snorkel alongside.

Guests are always impressed with the huge variety of marine life, health and the colours of the corals surrounding Lady Musgrave Island.

See some of the other "Great Eight" Great Barrier Reef living icons can be seen in an article here for your reading pleasure.

During our Great Barrier Reef tour guests will enjoy morning and afternoon tea and a buffet luncheon.

Now you have visited Lady Musgrave Island take a scenic flight and day tour to Lady Elliot Island.

Take a look at our private charter boat tours in Agnes Water

Sample Day Tour Itinerary

8.30am (*) - Check in at 1770 Marina

Depart 1770 Marina

Morning tea during transfer – Fresh scones with jam and cream and biscuits

Arrive Lady Musgrave Island

Guided Island Walk

Glass Bottom Boat Viewing

Lunch throughout the day – Salad wraps with choice of ham, salami or chicken. Dietary alternative on request.

Snorkeling

Depart Lady Musgrave Island

Afternoon tea during transfer – cheese platter and fresh fruit.

5.30pm (**) - Arrive 1770 Marina

(*) Check in times change daily with the tides. Can be as early as 0500 and as late as 1100.
(**) Return time is approx. 8-9hrs after check in. Return may be earlier or later at 1770 Reefs discretion, based on conditions and passenger requirements.

Catering Onboard

• Hand made on site each day.
• Lunch consists of salad wraps with a choice of chicken, ham or salami.
• Morning tea is freshly made scones and biscuits and cakes.
• Afternoon tea is an antipasto platter shared between 2 and fresh seasonal fruit.
• Tea, coffee and chilled water available throughout the tour.
• Galley onboard to purchase soft drinks and extra snacks.

Snorkel Lady Musgrave

- Snorkeling within the pristine Lady Musgrave Island lagoon.

- Lagoon is abundant in 1300 varieties of tropical fish and 350 species of hard and soft corals.

- Home to resident turtles year round, with daily turtle sightings and frequent encounters while snorkeling.

- Coral wall creates calm waters for snorkeling. No swell or currents in the lagoon. Very safe for non-swimmers and first time snorkelers.

- Flotation aids including lifejackets and pool noodles for guest comfort.

- Fully supervised by qualified crew member, with rescue tender as an added safety precaution for guests.

You will get between 1.5 and 2 hours of snorkelling time.

Guided Island Walk

- Guided walk of approximately 45 minutes over less than 1km.

- Explore the Pisonia Grandis forest and learn about the symbiotic relationship between the tree’s and birds that makes life on Lady Musgrave Island possible.

- 300,000 migratory sea birds visit the island to nest each year between September to May including wedge tailed shearwaters.

- Buff-banded rails, eastern reef egrets and other species of sea bird are resident year round.

- The clean white sand, which is created by ground coral, is soft under foot and is the canvas to the lagoons pristine waters. 

- During turtle nesting season (Oct – Dec) Loggerhead and Green Sea turtles return to the island each night to lay their eggs. Hatching season is from January to April.

Glass Bottom Boat Coral Viewing Tour

- 12m purpose built glass bottom boat for Lady Musgrave Island launched in April 2023. 

- Explore the Lady Musgrave Lagoon from above, including coral bommies abundant in fish.

- Local guides share knowledge on the lagoon and surrounding ocean habitats.

- Interpretation of the lagoons intricate ecosystem and how species interact to survive within the lagoon.

- Lady Musgrave Island’s coral is exceptionally healthy, being far enough south in cool waters. Has not experienced any coral bleaching events in the past 10 years.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Seventeen Seventy

Departure Time

• Check in times change daily with the tides. Can be as early as 5.00am and as late as 11.00am
• Return time is approx. 8-9hrs after check in. Return may be earlier or later at the operator's discretion, based on conditions and passenger requirements.

Departure Instructions

• This trip departs from 1770 Marina located 535 Captain Cook Drive, Town of 1770, 4677
• Guests staying in Agnes Water drive to Seventeen Seventy marina just a few minutes down the road. Plenty of parking.
• 1770reef does not offer a shuttle service.

Destinations

Lady Musgrave Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Departure times depends on tides, times may vary - Check in time varies between 5.00am and 11.00am
Transfer to Lady Musgrave from 1770: 90min approx
Please note Public Holiday rates may apply

Duration

8 to 9 hours approx.

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Galley onboard to purchase soft drinks and extra snacks.
• Wetsuits available to hire onboard. $10 each

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

• Travel during some conditions is not suitable for passengers with back conditions, severe illnesses and infants. We will notify passengers in advance in these circumstances.
• General fitness is required for some activities during the tour. The guided island walk is suitable for most fitness and ability levels. The walk is mostly flat on an unpaved, uneven path, less that 1km in duration and completed over approx. 45mins.
• Snorkeling requires minimum physical exertion. Conditions inside the lagoon are pool like. We cater for non-swimmers with the provision of life vests and pool noodles to aid flotation. Crew will guide snorkels where needed.
• Limit of one carry on sized bag per person. Bags must be able to be stored under your seat or at your feet. No dedicated luggage storage facilities are available on board.
• Strollers/ Prams may be brought on board for midday naps/ect. Must be small when folded and stowed during transit. Cannot be taken on the glass bottom boat or to the island.

Additional Information

• 15% public holiday surcharge will be applied and added to your booking total on all Queensland public holidays.
• Self Drive: Six hours drive north of Brisbane and eight hours drive south of the Whitsundays travelling on the Bruce Highway. Turn east at Miriam Vale and then follow the signs to Seventeen Seventy (Town of 1770) and Agnes Water.
• By Train: Queensland Rail train services operate to Miriam Vale with coach connections available to the Town of 1770 and Agnes Water prior arrangement.
• By Plane: Virgin Australia and QantasLink operate regular scheduled services from Brisbane to Bundaberg, Gladstone and Rockhampton. Qantas operates regular services from Sydney direct to Gladstone.
• Hire vehicles available at Bundaberg, Gladstone and Rockhampton airports and coach connections available by prior arrangement.
• By Bus: Greyhound coaches operate daily from both north and south into the Town of 1770 and Agnes Water.

• Swimming costume
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Camera (charged)
• Water bottle
• Reusable cup/mug if you have one
• Towel
• REEF SAFE Sunscreen
• Warm change of clothes for the trip home.
• Shoes that are able to get wet, for the island walk.
• Money if you require drinks or snacks

• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children
• Infants 3 years and younger incur a small fee
• Children & Infant must be accompanied by a responsible person
• Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Children must be supervised by their responsible person at all times, including on the glass bottom boat, island walk and while snorkeling.