In the summer months, turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Some ten weeks later, tiny turtle hatchlings make their dash for the sea. Thousands of seabirds nest in the rookeries on the two islands. Many rare birds have been attracted to these havens and Lady Elliot now has its own small colony of red-tailed tropic birds. Keen whale watchers will make many sightings of pods of Humpback whales passing close by on their annual migration.
Divers are well catered for with dive facilities on the islands and specialised dive boats.
Diving is not confined to the islands with dive sites just offshore at the Beaufort Bomber wreck, artificial reef and Evans Patch. Learn to dive courses are held regularly so everyone can enjoy the wonders of the reef. As an integral part of the marine ecosystem, the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Department of the Environment.