Low Islands, Coral Reef Cruise

Set like a jewel in a Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Low Isles is an idyllic, unspoilt coral island that appeals to everyone. And why not, when this is everyone's idea of a secluded tropical paradise! The wide, sandy beach and clear, calm lagoon waters are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and families.

Visitors are limited to protect the reef's ecology, so you'll experience this island heaven with a select few. So Relax - the whole of this beautiful, palm fringed island beach is yours to explore and enjoy.

Cruise Timetable

Set like a jewel in a Great Barrier Reef lagoon, Low Isles is an idyllic, unspoilt coral island that appeals to everyone. And why not, when this is everyone's idea of a secluded tropical paradise!

Low Isles (145.5592°E, 16.3842°S)

Situated 15km north-east of Port Douglas Low Isles is a 4 acre coral cay surrounded by 55 acres of reef. The corals are very close to the island, which makes snorkelling an enjoyable experience. On the island we erected permanent thatched umberellas for our passengers' comfort. Your experience can be as educational as it is relaxing - many activities are available for your participation. The two small islands are separate with one common reef. The larger of the two, Woody Island, is uninhabited except for a large bird population. It is a vital habitat for many species.

Low Isles' History

In 1770 Captain James Cook described Low Isles as a 'small low island' and was officially called Low Isles in 1819. The Aboriginal people know these islands as Wungkun. It is an important Indigenous and cultural site for the KuKu Yalanji and Yiragandi people as the sea country for both groups overlaps at Low Isles.

Weather data has been gathered from the island since 1887 and the historic lighthouse has been operating since 1878. In 1928 it was the base for the first scientific study of a coral reef anywhere in the world, examining the structure and ecology of the surrounding reef. Many current theories of coral reef ecology are based on the findings of this early expedition.

Low Isles' Coral Reef Environment

There are 150 different species of hard corals in the waters surrounding Low Isles, although these are dominated by 15 species of soft corals. If you look closely, the feathery tentacles of soft corals can often be seen collecting tiny food particles from the water around them. Living amongst the corals is a large variety of fish, molluscs, sea cucumbers and other animals. Colourful blue, green and purple parrotfish are a common sight as well as angelfish, damselfish, anenomefish or clownfish, trevally, rabbitfish, sweetlip, moon wrasse and fusiliers, just to name a few!

At least seven species of seagrasses grow on the intertidal sandflats of Low Isles, providing a home and food for such animals as sea cucumbers, the attractive spidershell, as well as rays, green turtles and dugongs.