Manta Rays of Lady Elliot Island

Fly to Lady Elliot Island, around 30 minutes from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg, or approximately 2 hours from the Gold Coast or Redcliffe. The island guide meets you on the airstrip for an orientation and an explanation of the day’s available activities. Rooms are available from 1pm; luggage storage is provided on arrival. The afternoon includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the island’s infrastructure. Lady Elliot runs entirely on solar power and rainwater collection, with no mainland supply lines. At sunset, head to the lighthouse with a drink from the bar, followed by dinner in the beachfront dining room. Overnight: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Meals: L/D.

Meet your Project Manta researcher guide for an introduction to the expedition and an overview of citizen science methods used to study manta rays, turtles, sharks and reef biodiversity. The centrepiece of the day is a private boat charter to search for reef manta rays and sea turtles, joining a trained researcher to collect photo-identification data on manta rays and turtles and the surrounding reef biodiversity. Watch for humpback whales on their seasonal migration. Back on shore, a presentation covers manta ray biology, ecology and the history of Project Manta, established in 2007 at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Optional snorkelling and scuba diving (at your own expense) are available at leisure. Overnight: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Meals: B/L/D.

A second private boat charter continues manta ray and turtle data collection. On shore, an in-depth session covers photo-identification techniques and the history of individual manta rays recorded in these waters; the group helps analyse the data gathered so far during the expedition. A lagoon snorkel for the Tag-free Turtle Project contributes non-invasive data on green and loggerhead turtles – the project focuses on turtles’ role as herbivores on the reef. In the evening, a presentation on the Leaf to Reef project covers the relationship between the island’s revegetation program and the surrounding reef, from groundwater quality and coral health to nesting bird populations. Overnight: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Meals: B/L/D.

A guided reef walk at low tide explores the lagoon using reef walking poles and sea scopes – sea cucumbers, starfish, sea urchins, coral, clams, crabs and reef fish at close range. A third private boat charter continues the manta ray and turtle data collection program before the researcher guide farewells the group in the afternoon. After dinner, the Night Explorer Tour covers Lady Elliot by night: ghost crabs, land hermit crabs, frogs and roosting seabirds, finishing with a stargazing session on the island’s airstrip. Overnight: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Meals: B/L/D.

A final buffet breakfast before checking out. Spend any remaining time before your return flight snorkelling the lagoon, walking the island or watching the seabird colony before flying back to the mainland. Meals: B.