A Great Barrier Reef island north of Cairns, surrounded by white sand beaches cascading into fringing coral gardens
Why go there?
History / Voyages Resort / Fishing / Diving & snorkelling / Research Station
- Cooks Look is perhaps the most well known feature on Lizard Island. Captain James Cook ascended the highest peak on the island, 359 metres above seal level to find a way out of the maze of reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is now a popular, somewhat challenging walk for visitors. It is easy from here to imagine Cooks frustration at not being able to find a safe passage for his Endeavour. Cook named the island after the large Monitor lizards that are frequently seen basking on the powder soft sand.
- 110 years after Cooks visit a group of intrepid entrepreneurs arrived at Lizard intent on harvesting the prolific beche-de-mer (sea slug). The wife of one of these fishermen, Mary Watson, and her servants were ambushed by local Aborigines. Keeping the marauding Aborigines at bay with her gun, the lone surviving servant, Mrs Watson and her baby launched themselves into the sea in a beche-de-mer boiling tub in a desperate attempt at escape. At the mercy of the trade winds, they eventually perished from thirst on what we now call Watson Island. Remains of Mrs Watson’s House still stand on the beachfront.
- Multi award winning Voyages Lizard Island Resort offers luxury seclusion in just 40 suites. Tucked in behind one of the 24 beaches on the island, the resort pampers guests (in a child free environment) with an all-inclusive tariff including fine wine and food. Boaties are welcome to utilise the beachfront Marlin Bar.
- Game fishermen travel from around the world, particularly between August and November, in search of the biggest and most exciting game fish, the black marlin.
- Snorkellers and divers are easily mesmerised by vibrantly alive coral reefs. With their gently swaying fronds and kaleidoscopic colours, coral reefs are entrancing for hovering snorkellers. Mrs Watson Bay offers an easily accessible snorkelling site, with its Giant Clam Garden.
- Lizard Island Research Station was established during the early 1970s, instigated by US philanthropists Henry and Jacqueline Loomis. The philosophy behind the station, then, as now, is to provide facilities for coral reef research and education.
Anchorage
Mrs Watsons Bay is one of the finest trade wind anchorages in far northern Queensland. It is therefore a popular turnaround point for east coast cruisers. It is not uncommon to find the bay filled with vessels at the end of the cruising season, around October, as they wait for the south easterlies to go around to north, promising a down wind run south.
Approaching from the northwest, the bay has a large reef section in the middle, marked with white GRMPA buoys. Anchorage can be taken over good holding sand anywhere northeast of this section, avoiding the odd bombie as the shore closes. The large peak of Cooks Look can generate fairly strong bullets that race down into the anchorage.
Anchorage location: Lat 14deg39.6S Long 145deg27.0E
Best time to go:
The tropical cyclone season officially begins in November and ends at the end of April. Known as ‘the wet’ this is the wrong time of year for mariners to be in far north Queensland. Lizard Island offers no cyclone ‘bolt holes’ for vessels, in the event of a cyclone approaching,
The dry season from May to October will usually find consistent southeasterly winds, low humidity and daytime temperatures in the high 20’s to low 30’s
How long will it take to get there?
Lizard Island is approx 140nm north of Port Douglas. With the prevailing winds coming from the southeast, it is generally a pleasant trip north with ocean swells calmed by the outer barrier reef.
Where to obtain fuel, water or provisions
There is no jetty or refuelling station at Lizard Island. All supplies arrive by barge or small aircraft from Cairns. The large game fishing fleet that is often based in Mrs Watson Bay refuels by arrangement with Voyages Resort. Water must be carried out by dingy in jerry cans. There is no shop on the island.
Information contained in this article should be used in conjunction with current nautical charts and aids. Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure all information is correct at the time of writing, the author cannot accept responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies.
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