A Sailors Guide to Lizard Island

Anchoring and Exploration

Lizard Island is a must-visit destination for sailors exploring the Great Barrier Reef. This guide will help you make the most of your time here, from finding the best anchorage to discovering the island’s hidden gems. The island is well-known for its rich history, natural beauty, and marine life, making it a popular stop for sailors.

Weather At Lizard Island

We arrived at the island in mid-July 2024 and stayed through to the start of September, so we had South-Easterly trade winds and "winter" seasonality. It was beautifully sunny with only a few small rain squalls. The temperature was around 25 degrees Celsius most days, getting cooler once the sun sets. Us yachties love to refer to the island as "Blizzard Island", because it's so windy during this time! It was usually 20-30knts of wind, and if it was ever 15-20knts everyone would take that good weather window opportunity to either sail to neighbouring reefs or sail off to their next destination. Despite being a windy location, you can still enjoy all the luxuries of the island due to its rather sheltered bays. It’s important to check the weather forecast regularly and be prepared to move if conditions change (eg. In October when northerlies start to hit.. more on that later). During the cyclone season (November to April), it’s advisable to avoid the island as there's limited protection from severe weather. However we've spoken to many yachties who still spent many weeks anchored at the island during this time.

Navigating to Lizard Island

Lizard Island is located approximately 240 kilometers north of Cairns, Queensland. Sailing north from Cairns during this time of year means coming 'with' the trade wind which makes for a lovely sail. We took advantage of some light winds and spent a few days out on the Ribbon Reefs on the way up. We did Cairns to Mackay Reef in one day, then Mackay Reef to Ribbon 5, then Ribbon 5 to Lizard Island. Some people choose to hug the coast, stopping in at Cooktown, Hope Island, and Cape Bedford for anchorages on the way. When approaching, keep an eye on the reefs that fringe the island.

Best Anchorage Spots

Watson’s Bay is the primary anchorage on Lizard Island, offering good protection from prevailing southeasterly winds. The bay has a sandy bottom with good holding, typically in 5 to 10 meters of water. It's spacious enough to accommodate multiple boats. Since we have been here the most we saw was 20 boats in the bay and there was still plenty of space. We've heard there's been as many as 30. Our tips for anchoring are below:

• There's a section called "DRAGon Ally" or "The Slipway" where you want to avoid anchoring. There is some Shale rock underneath the sand in a bit of a channel that apparently isn't great holding.

• You want to get as close as possible! The further out the back you are, the windier it is. Ask some of the fellow yachties who have been there for a while or if you could use your tender to sound the depths to find the closest spot.

• It gets WINDY at this time of year, so let out approx 50m of chain if thats available for your boat and suitable given the available space.

• If you anchor in between the two reefs in the secon marked "2" on the map below, you will get quite a bit of tender traffic from yachties heading over to Marlin Bar as well as Resort Guests / Staff coming across for snorkelling and walks.

• Disclaimer: As mentioned, we were there during July/August with the South Easterlies. If you are there during Marlin Season and when the northerlies start coming through, you want to take a different approach with anchoring so that you don't end up on the beach when the wind turns. When the northerlies set in, apparently people anchor over in Blue Lagoon.

Shore Access and Dinghy Landings

Watson’s Bay provides easy access to the island’s main facilities and attractions. It's easy to tender ashore and safe to leave your boat there. Check the tides and remember to anchor your dinghy! The last thing you want is to come back from a walk to find your tender floating out to sea. There is some rock to avoid when leaving your tender on the eastern end of Watsons Bay.

Rubbish Disposal at Lizard Island

The Marlin Bar has a skip bin for rubbish disposal. It is not always there, but when it is, it is very handy. It is also not promoted as it is not technically for yachties to use. Remember to respect private property and avoid disturbing guests at the resort. Filling up water and disposing of rubbish should be done discreetly and the facilities not taken advantage of.

Drinking Water at Lizard Island

There is a well / bore water pump on the island however you shouldn't drink this water unless you boil it first. Most yachties use water makers however if you don't have one, the Marlin Bar has a tap that you can use for filling up water jerrys. Remember to respect private property and avoid disturbing guests at the resort. Filling up water and disposing of rubbish should be done discreetly and the facilities not taken advantage of.

Fuel on Lizard Island

You should plan to carry enough fuel for your stay and onward journey. However if you get stuck, you can radio the Resort's "Beach Club" on channel 16 to arrange to purchase some fuel from them. There is a significant markup on the price, however if yiou desperately need deisal or petrol then it is available.

Phone Reception & Internet on Lizard Island

Mobile phone reception is limited. Some people climb Cooks Look to get 4G. There is also Wifi available at the Marlin Bar. Otherwise if you have Starlink on your boat, it works great! We used our normal Roam Subscription without toggling on Mobile Priority, giving unlimited high speed internet.

Marlin Bar, Lizard Island

The Marlin Bar is the only public bar on the island, and the only place to purchase food and drinks, it also has free Wifi while the bar is open. During the time we were here it was open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5pm til late, but apparently opens more frequently during Marlin Season. On Fridays there was a pizza menu at approx $23 per pizza. And on Tuesdays there was a more mixed menu including sometimes snitty, burgers, ribs etc. It's pricy however that is expected when on a remote island. Being able to purchase dinner twice a week is really helpful for making the stores last! Especially if you get stuck at the island for longer than anticipated. If you are heading over to Marlin Bar in your tender from Watsons Bay you need to follow the channel in between the reef (map below). Remember to bring a spotlight to avoid some of the moorings and rope in the water, and if you have Navionics turn your track on when you head over there in the daylight so you can follow it back in the dark.

Hikes on Lizard Island

There's plenty of hikes to do on the island. Here's our top 4:

• Cooks Look

• Chinamans Ridge

• Blue Lagoon

• Coconuts

View our Youtube Shorts video about the walks here: https://youtube.com/shorts/dVzfWy51p8o?si=jcsBEj7RcZ_zzIlK

Snorkelling on Lizard Island

There is plenty of snorkelling from the island too. We mainly snorkelled the "Giant Clam Garden" near the anchorage. The reefs surrounding the island are all Green/Yellow zoned with no spearfishing allowed.

Environmental Responsibility

Lizard Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and it’s crucial to follow environmental guidelines:

• Reef Protection: Avoid anchoring on coral reefs. Use the sandy patches in Watson’s Bay or other designated anchoring areas to protect the fragile marine ecosystem.

• Wildlife Respect: The island is home to diverse wildlife, including nesting turtles and seabirds. Keep your distance and avoid disturbing their natural habitats.

  
  

Lizard Island is a true gem of the Great Barrier Reef, offering sailors a unique blend of adventure and tranquility. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us! We are always happy to answer any questions and chat with fellow yachties heading to the island.