Destinations.
Emerald Lady is berthed at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas, internationally famous as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Port Douglas is located just under an hour drive north from Cairns International Airport.
The idyllic tropical village is the perfect base for exploring the World Heritage Daintree rainforest and the cruising grounds of the Great Barrier Reef.
Port Douglas is an ideal departure point with it’s vibrant restaurant, bar and cafe scene, and world class hotels, tours, attractions and boating facilities.
Your destination on the Great Barrier Reef is limited only by your imagination. We venture to the farthest corners of the Coral Sea, to Princess Charlotte Bay, Portland Roads. We can take you to remote reefs perfect for either reef fishing or scuba diving, sand cays for romantic picnics or family gatherings, islands brimming with marine life, and the expansive outer reef for prized gamefishing and sportfishing experiences.
Lizard Island is a popular base, and can be used as both an arrival or departure point.
Lizard island is the premium luxury vacation destination in the Great Barrier Reef. Lizard Island is the perfect stepping stone for arrival or departure for your boat charter Port Douglas or fishing charter Cairns or mothershipping charter for the annual Lizard Island game fishing tournament.
Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is an incredible natural wonder that is of enormous importance to Australia and the world. It is a symbol of the incredible diversity and beauty of the natural world, and a reminder of the importance of taking action to protect our planet for future generations.
FIRST NATIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Emerald Lady acknowledges the wisdom and the connections that inform the guardianship of the seas and the lands we explore for millennia. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners as the guardians of this land and sea Country, and value the traditional knowledge which informs the management and stewardship of the Great Barrier Reef for now and for future generations.
ABOUT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
The World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef National Park is one of the most famous and magnificent natural wonders of the world. Located off the coast of Queensland in Australia, it is the world's largest coral reef system, covering an area of over 344,400 square kms stretching more than 2300 kms along the coastline.
The reef system comprises more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands that are home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life.
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IN NUMBERS
70 million football fields in area the Great Barrier Reef is home to:
1625 fish species
Over 600 coral species
Over 100 species of jellyfish
3000 varieties of mollusc
more than 30 species of marine mammals such as whales, dugong and dolphins
more than 130 species of shark and rays
INDIGENOUS CONNECTIONS TO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
More than 70 Traditional Owner groups have long and enduring connection with the Reef and its catchment, stretching back over 60,000 years.
The value of the Great Barrier Reef to Traditional Owners is interconnected with identity, self and culture. This includes a connection to and caretaking responsibilities for clan group totems (natural objects, plants or animals inherited as spiritual emblems).
Lizard Island.
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Lizard Island is located 240km north of Cairns, 93km north east from Cooktown. and 27km off the coast of far north Queensland. It is a National Park covering 1,013ha with over twenty beaches and bays.
Lizard Island National Park comprises Lizard, Osprey, Palfrey and South Islands, as well as Seabird Islets and Eagle Island, located several kilometres west of Lizard Island.
Lizard is unique in that it is the only continental island located in close proximity to the outer barrier reef.
Emerald Lady charter guests are encouraged to explore the desolate beauty of this continental island, and to perhaps consider a sunrise hike to Cook’s Look, the tallest peak on the island, rising 359m above sea level, where the view over the pristine sparkling turquoise waters of Blue Lagoon, Mermaid Cove and Anchor Bay, and vibrant rich fringing reefs is absolutely breathtaking.
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Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities to Lizard Island via Cairns. Charter flight and regional flight operators provide the connecting flight between Cairns and Lizard Island, which takes around 60 minutes.
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Exclusive luxury resort Lizard Island Resort and a marine research station.
It has its own airstrip and Royal Flying Doctor medical facilities, with 24 hour radio contact with the Flying Doctor base in Cairns.
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During his exploration of the northern East Coast in 1770, Lieutenant James Cook named the island for the predominant resident lizards, the yellow-spotted monitor Varanus panoptes.
Cook anchored in one of the island’s bays and climbed to the topmost peak of the island, now known as Cook’s Look.
He surveyed a suitable passage for the Endeavour away from the island, heading for what is now known as Cooktown.
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The Lizard island group is rich in cultural significance for the Dingaal people, containing sacred sites for initiation, ceremony and Dreamtime storytelling.
The Lizard islands were a base for collecting shellfish, fish, turtles and dugong.
Shell middens provide evidence of historical communal feasting on crustaceans, shellfish and molluscs, including clams, oysters, spider shells and trochus shells.
A Dreamtime creation story for the Lizard Island group is associated with the stingray—Jiigurru forms the body of the stingray while North Direction Island, South Direction Island and Dingaal (Cape Flattery) form the tail.
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Lizard Island is internationally renowned as a diving destination. The island is located in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, giving visitors unparalleled access to one of the most diverse and beautiful marine ecosystems in the world. With more than 1,500 species of fish and 600 species of coral, there is no shortage of things to see and explore under the water. Whether you are an experienced diver or a beginner snorkeler, there are many opportunities to experience the wonders of the reef.
There are a number of world-class dive sites in and around Lizard Island, each offering its own unique blend of coral formations, fish species, and other marine creatures. Some of the most popular dive sites on the island include Cod Hole, Pixie Pinnacle, and the Lizard Island Coral Gardens.
At Cod Hole, divers can swim with the famously curious and friendly potato cod, who are known to approach divers for a closer look. This dive site is also home to a wide variety of other fish species, as well as schools of colourful tropical fish and majestic manta rays. ‘Cod Hole’ is a simply unforgettable dive site and experience where when scuba diving, you can come face to face with the resident potato cod and maori wrasse, curious, gentle giants of the sea, holding fort over a kaleidoscope of other tropical fish and marine life.
Pixie Pinnacle is a popular site for advanced divers, offering the chance to explore a towering coral pinnacle that rises from the ocean floor. The pinnacle is covered in a wide variety of hard and soft corals, providing a home to an array of marine creatures, including sea turtles, reef sharks, and octopuses.
For those looking for a more relaxed and beginner-friendly dive experience, the Lizard Island Coral Gardens are a great option. This shallow dive site features a stunning array of soft and hard corals, as well as an abundance of brightly colored tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine life.
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In addition to the incredible marine life, Lizard Island is also home to a variety of unique and beautiful wildlife.
Visitors can see monitor lizards, sea turtles, and a wide range of birds and other creatures that are native to the area.
There are also many opportunities to explore the island's diverse landscapes, including rugged hills, lush rainforests, and secluded beaches.
More than 40 species of birds inhabit the island group.
Jiigurru, Dingaal Country, Far North Queensland
Lizard Island is a stunning tropical paradise located in the Great Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Known for its beautiful sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and spectacular coral reefs.
Lizard Island is a dream destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty and tranquility of the Australian wilderness.
The Ribbon Reefs.
The Ribbon Reefs are a series of coral reefs located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of northeastern Australia. They are part of the Great Barrier Reef system, which is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Ribbon Reefs stretch for approximately 130 kms along the edge of the continental shelf, and are named for their long, narrow shape. The reefs are situated between 20 and 80 kms offshore, and are accessible by boat or helicopter.
Emerald Lady yacht charter guests can tick Temple of Doom, Dynamite Pass, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, giant clam gardens and Steve’s Bommie off the bucket list!
Given its remote outer reef location, these reef systems are pristine and rarely visited. Coral gardens, plate corals, bommies, caves and pinnacles are home to an abundant plethora of tropical fish and marine life. During the winter season you may be fortunate to encounter minke and humpback whales. Sharks, rays, schools of fish abound year round.
Emerald Lady’s anchorages provide comfortable access to diving or snorkelling, diverse fishing-onshore, offshore, bluewater, reef, light tackle lure casting, game, sports fishing, mackerel, tuna and wahoo, GTs, marlin and sailfish.
Low Isles, Port Douglas.
Low Isles is a small coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef system, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is a popular destination for tourists and visitors to the region, offering a range of activities and experiences.
THE CORAL REEF AT LOW ISLES
Low Isles is surrounded by a beautiful coral reef, home to a diverse range of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and other creatures. Visitors to Low Isles can explore the reef by snorkeling or scuba diving, or by taking a glass-bottom boat tour.
THE HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE AT LOW ISLES
Low Isles is home to a historic lighthouse, which was first established in 1878. The lighthouse is still in operation today and offers visitors a glimpse into the history of the region.
WALKING TRAILS ON LOW ISLES
Low Isles offers a number of short walking trails for visitors to explore. These trails take visitors through the island's lush vegetation, offering opportunities to spot native wildlife and prolific seabird life and enjoy some of the culture, biology and history of this significant unique island.
BEACHES at low isles
Low Isles is tiny but its beaches are grand! Crystal clear waters soft sand and shade…just steps away from a kaleidoscopic underwater world!
SNORKELING at low isles
Low isles is an ideal location for polishing your snorkelling skills-it is safe and protected, nad. before you know it, you’ll be lost in the incredible marine life-there are plenty of resident turtles, colourful corals and reef sharks.
Cultural experiences at low isles
Low Isles is also home to the Kuku Yalanji people, the Traditional Owners of the land. The history of the island is presented at a small museum located in the centre of the island, as well as via signage around the island.
Opal Reef.
Opal Reef is one of the many coral reefs located in the Great Barrier Reef system, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is situated about 60 kms northeast of Cairns, and covers an area of approximately 6.5 square kms.
Opal Reef is known for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral. Some of the marine species commonly found in the reef include sea turtles, reef sharks, giant clams, and a variety of colourful fish.
Princess Charlotte Bay / Bathurst Heads and islands.
Princess Charlotte Bay is a large bay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park located at the base of Cape York Peninsula, 350 km NNW of Cairns.
Protected from the prevailing south-easterly trade winds, Princess Charlotte Bay is a wide sweeping bay with extensive mangrove river and creek systems, broad lagoons, headlands, a maze of islands, sand cays and offshore reefs.
The Bay encompasses Bathurst Head, Bathurst Bay and the Flinders group of islands, and when the local rivers are running, you will be mind blown by the quality of the fishing and the diversity of the fish life.
The intrepid angler will enjoy a diverse range of fishing for species such as barramundi, coral trout, fingermark, red emperor, GTs, mackerel, sportsfish and pelagic species. And of course, this destination provides the perfect opportunity to catch a crab for your Singapore chilli mudcrab fiesta!
Departure.
Board Emerald Lady at Port Douglas, Cairns or Lizard Island.
Choose to depart with the vessel, fly in to Lizard Island or Portland Roads, or transfer by helicopter direct to the onboard helipad.
Emerald Lady can also relocate to an alternative location, ready and waiting for your arrival.
