Australia · The northern Great Barrier Reef
Lizard Island yacht charter: amazing fishing, and the northern Reef on the doorstep
Lizard Island is the end of the line on the northern Great Barrier Reef: amazing fishing, a great resort and restaurant, and Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs a day away. It has its own airstrip, so you can fly home from the island. The best months are June to October, and our week from Cairns to Lizard Island is the way to do it.
Where
The northern Great Barrier Reef, about 15 nautical miles off the mainland, north of Cooktown
Fly to
Cairns, and fly home from Lizard Island's own strip
Best months
June to October
Give it
A week from Cairns, or ten nights with the Ribbon Reefs
Known for
Fishing, the resort and restaurant, Cod Hole and Cook's Look
Water
Reef water, with the best visibility of the year from June to October
Why go
Lizard Island, honestly
Lizard Island has amazing fishing, a great resort and a great restaurant, and it sits at the end of the northern Reef. It is where our week from Cairns ends: the Low Isles, Port Douglas, the Agincourt reefs, the Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole, and then the island, with an airstrip to fly home from.
The island is one of the best places on the Reef to be on a boat. Watsons Bay is the anchorage, the Clam Gardens are a snorkel off the beach, and the walk up to Cook's Look is the view Captain Cook climbed for when he was looking for a way out through the reef. The resort restaurant is the one night ashore, and we can book it.
The fishing is the other reason to come. We arrange a dedicated fishing tender with its own crew, and the Reef, from the shelf edge to the lagoons, does the rest.
Where we anchor
The anchorages, in the order we use them
- Watsons BayAnchorage, overnightThe main anchorage, sheltered and a short tender ride from the resort.
The Clam GardensSnorkel stopExplore the Clam Gardens and Watsons Bay to see giant clams and turtles.
- Blue LagoonDay anchorageThe swim on the other side of the island, and a beach with nobody on it.
Cod Hole and the Ribbon ReefsDay tripPotato cod the size of a person, and the best diving on the Reef. A day away by yacht.
Ashore
Lizard Island off the boat
Not a directory. If it is here, we have sat at the table or stood at the bar.
Eat
One resort, one night ashore, booked by us.
Saltwater RestaurantLocal produce in elegant fine dining overlooking the Great Barrier Reef.
Sunset beachside diningAdmire the sunset vistas over a seven-course tasting menu.
The HousePrivate-chef indulgence on your own beachfront villa.
Fish and dive
What most people come for.
- A day's fishingA dedicated fishing tender with its own crew, half or full day, and the chef cooks the catch.
Snorkel the kaleidoscopic reefsExplore the Clam Gardens and Watsons Bay to see giant clams and turtles.
Paddleboard and kayakGlide through the island's crystal waters and explore hidden coves.
Do
A walk, a spa and a research station.
Hike to Cook's LookClimb to the top for panoramic views of the reef and the surrounding islands.
Lizard Island Research StationDiscover coral science with a behind-the-scenes tour.
Essentia Day SpaLuxury spa treatments and wellness experiences.
A scenic flightA low-level scenic flight from Cairns or Cooktown for aerial views of the island and the reef.
Where it sits
Lizard Island on the chart
Lizard Island is the northern end of the Reef, about 15 nautical miles off the mainland, north of Cooktown. The week runs north from Cairns and finishes here, with a flight home from the island's own strip.
Drag to move. Double-click or ctrl-scroll to zoom.Zoom with the buttons, then drag to move.
When
When to be in Lizard Island
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- June to October: the season. Dry, settled, and the clearest water of the year.
- June and July: the dwarf minke whales visit the Ribbon Reefs.
- September: black marlin fishing begins, and the diving visibility is at its best.
- November to April: the wet season and the cyclone season. We would send you to Sydney instead.
Itineraries
Itineraries that call at Lizard Island
Full plans, day by day, with the boat each one runs on. Send one to the people coming with you; we reshape it around your yacht and dates.
Whitsundays, two weeks
Whitsundays
Time for the outer reef properly, Bait Reef and the Ribbon Reefs, and lazy days nobody plans.
Open
Cairns to Lizard Island: the northern Reef
Cairns7 stopsLizard Island
The Low Isles, the Agincourt reefs, the Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole, ending at Lizard Island with a flight home from its own strip. The Reef at its best, and almost no other boats.
OpenYachts
Yachts in the northern Reef now
Fewer yachts work this far north, and the ones that do are booked for the season. Tell us the dates and we find the boat.
BELUGA
Moonen · 35m · 2006, refit 2024
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
A$179k – 196k
PARADISE
Horizon · 35m · 2014
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
A$210k
NORTHERN ESCAPE
Benetti · 41m · 2022
12 guests | 6 cabins | 8 crew
A$350k
ORRAIA
Horizon · 28m · 2024
10 guests | 5 cabins | 4 crew
A$132k
ENCORE
Horizon · 30m · 2011, refit 2021
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
A$90k
LUMIR
Heesen · 37m · 2005, refit 2013
10 guests | 4 cabins | 6 crew
A$140k
MASTEKA 2
MonteFino · 38m · 2009, refit 2022
12 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$125k
PAZIENZA
Cantiere delle Marche · 35m · 2024
11 guests | 5 cabins | 5 crew
$150k
FENG
Sunreef · 22m · 2013, refit 2023
8 guests | 4 cabins | 4 crew
$45k
TRUE NORTH
null · 50m · 2005, refit 2020
36 guests | 18 cabins | 22 crew
A$645k
TELEOST
Feadship · 49m · 1998, refit 2023
12 guests | 5 cabins | 10 crew
$195k
4A
Sanlorenzo · 39m · 2007, refit 2008
10 guests | 5 cabins | 6 crew
$120k
12 yachts in rotation. The order changes with every visit so no boat is always last.
Questions we get asked
Lizard Island, answered
Common questions
When is the best time to charter at Lizard Island?
June to October, in the dry season, when the weather is settled and the water is at its clearest. June and July bring the dwarf minke whales to the Ribbon Reefs, and black marlin fishing begins around September.
How do we get to Lizard Island?
Fly to Cairns and board there; the week runs north along the Reef. Lizard Island has its own airstrip, so you can also fly home from the island, or fly in to meet the yacht there.
Can we go fishing at Lizard Island?
Yes, and it is one of the best reasons to come. We arrange a dedicated fishing tender with its own crew for a half or full day, and the chef cooks the catch.
What is there to do at Lizard Island?
Snorkel the Clam Gardens, walk to Cook's Look, eat at the resort's Saltwater Restaurant, take the tender to the Blue Lagoon, and dive Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs a day away.
Want Lizard Island in your week?
Tell us the dates and who is coming. We will say which nights to give it, which berth to hold, and whether the week you want is still open.