LADY MUSGRAVE ISLAND PONTOON & SNORKELLING FULL DAY TOUR - DEPARTING BUNDABERG
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EXPERIENCE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF & LADY MUSGRAVE ISLAND
FROM THE COMFORT OF ‘LADY MUSGRAVE HQ’ PONTOON
LMHQ IS THE ONLY PONTOON EXPERIENCE ON THE SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF!!
Snorkel with the turtles and abundant marine life amidst the colourful corals of Lady Musgrave Island’s Lagoon the only navigable coral cay lagoon on the entire Great Barrier Reef. Lady Musgrave Island boasts stinger free snorkelling year-round and up-close turtle encounters.
Experience the Southern Great Barrier Reef from the comfort of Lady Musgrave HQ Pontoon a zero-carbon footprint eco-educational day tour platform. Departing daily from Bundaberg Port Marina we offer a full day tour at Lady Musgrave Island via our world class 3 level custom built pontoon.
Checking in at 7:00am cruising in comfort onboard luxury 35m High Speed catamaran Reef Empress from Bundaberg Port Marina to Lady Musgrave HQ Pontoon, nestled in the turquoise protected waters of Lady Musgrave Islands coral cay lagoon.
During the outbound journey relax and enjoy:
- morning tea.
- reef presentation by marine biologists and Master Reef Guides
- spectacular ocean views – look out for the dolphins year-round and whales during season (July-October)
- purchase souvenirs from our onboard kiosk
- book extra activities such as marine bio experience, non-certified discover scuba dive, certified scuba dive, VIP upgrades, guided snorkel experiences.
- chat to our team of marine biologists about your day and what you should expect to see in the water and on the island.
- informative commentary about the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Bunker Group of Islands and Lady Musgrave Island
Arriving at Lady Musgrave HQ Pontoon participate in several included activities:
- 4.5 hours of unfettered access to LMHQ PONTOON complete with 14m underwater observatory, sun-loungers on the upper deck, kiosk bar, snorkel & dive centre, 4 warm outdoor showers.
- swim with the turtles and abundant marine life amidst diverse colourful coral – snorkel gear hire included.
- informative glass bottom boat tour
- educational fish feeding demonstration by marine ecology team.
- guided island walking tour with wildlife ecologists.
- bird watching
- gourmet buffet lunch using freshest local produce Bundaberg has to offer.
On the return journey back to Bundaberg Port enjoy:
- afternoon tea service.
- purchase drinks from the licensed bar
- talk to our crew and ask them any questions you may have about the things you have experienced.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES:
VIP Upgrade: Travel in luxury and upgrade to our VIP Premium Captains Lounge where you will enjoy barista coffee/tea or hot chocolate, complimentary beer/wine or soft drink with your gourmet cheese platter, priority boarding, included wetsuit hire and personal waitstaff service.
Marine Bio Experience: Learn how to record reef health observations, the abundance of iconic reef animals such as turtles, and the important roles they play as part of this mesmerising and resilient World Heritage listed marine protected area. Participate in a marine biologist guided experience that includes in and out of water learning.
Certified Scuba Diving: Experience a shallow water dive within the Lagoon guided by one of our dive masters. Explore the Lagoons bommies and abundance of fish life and turtles in this pristine environment.
Non-Certified Introductory Scuba Dive: Suitable for beginners and novices to experience scuba diving on the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. Full instruction and assistance are provided by our qualified and highly experienced dive instructors. You will participate in the 20-minute dive skills session before dropping below the waterline to explore the underwater wonders for 30 mins.
Wetsuit Hire: Wetsuits are available on board for hire for an additional $15 (VIP upgrade includes wetsuit hire).
The Experience is Everything!
WHAT TO BRING:
- Swimwear
- Reef shoes or thongs
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, long sleeve sun-shirt etc)
- Sunscreen – REEF SAFE ONLY (available for purchase onboard)
- Cash or credit card for onboard purchases
- Towel
- Backpack
- drink bottle
THINGS TO NOTE / FAQs:
- Prices include GST (10%), GBRMPA EMC Fee ($8.50 per person) & QPWS Fee ($2.60 per person).
- List prices EXCLUDE FUEL LEVY ($20 per person) added at checkout
- Public holiday surcharge of 10% applies on public holidays.
- All tours are subject to weather conditions and minimum numbers. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and team remain our priority. If a tour is cancelled due to weather or insufficient passenger numbers, be assured that you’ll have options to re-book when it suits you.
- We do recommend taking out travel insurance as this may assist in covering accommodation and travel costs if cancelled.
- Age limits for Infant fare applies 0-3 years old
- Age limits for Child fare 4-14 years inclusive
- Student and concession fare must be able to present valid student Identification
ON DAY OF TRAVEL:
- Arrive early for 7am boarding
- If you are experiencing difficulties on the morning of your travel call 0427009911 before 7am to advise the check-in team or contact the bookings office after 8:30am on (07) 41515225.
- Tours depart from 15-17 Marina Drive, Burnett Heads, which is approx 20-25 minute drive from Bundaberg CBD. Please familiarise yourself with the area prior to tour date to ensure you arrive on time.
- Beverages, snacks, sea-sickness tablets & merchandise are available for purchase. Filtered water is available throughout the day -please bring a water bottle for top ups
- Please wait on the grass area next to the boarding gates marina side of the carpark for our check-in crew to begin boarding
- No shoes to be worn whilst on the vessel for safety reasons . If you need to wear shoes for medical reasons, please ensure they are flat with non-marking soles and advise the crew at check-in and boarding.
- Included in your full day tour is a light morning tea, afternoon tea as well as a cold salad bar buffet lunch. As this is a set buffet menu we are unable to cater to specific dietary requirements however have accommodated most needs in our set offerings. We recommend bringing extra food if you have specific dietary requirements as we are unable to offer individualised menus for individual needs.
- Arrival back to Bundaberg Port Marina is approximately 5pm
- Whilst onboard follow all crew directions as they are given to ensure your safety and comfort at all times.
- Wetsuits are available for hire onboard ($15) however are not required due to no stingers, box or Irukandji jellyfish at Lady Musgrave Island.
- Arrive early for 7am boarding
- If you are experiencing difficulties on the morning of your travel call 0427009911 before 7am to advise the check-in team or contact the bookings office after 8:30am on (07) 41515225.
- Tours depart from 15-17 Marina Drive, Burnett Heads, which is approx 20-25 minute drive from Bundaberg CBD. Please familiarise yourself with the area prior to tour date to ensure you arrive on time.
- Beverages, snacks, sea-sickness tablets & merchandise are available for purchase. Filtered water is available throughout the day -please bring a water bottle for top ups
- Please wait on the grass area next to the boarding gates marina side of the carpark for our check-in crew to begin boarding
- No shoes to be worn whilst on the vessel for safety reasons . If you need to wear shoes for medical reasons, please ensure they are flat with non-marking soles and advise the crew at check-in and boarding.
- Included in your full day tour is a light morning tea, afternoon tea as well as a cold salad bar buffet lunch. As this is a set buffet menu we are unable to cater to specific dietary requirements however have accommodated most needs in our set offerings. We recommend bringing extra food if you have specific dietary requirements as we are unable to offer individualised menus for individual needs.
- Arrival back to Bundaberg Port Marina is approximately 5pm
- Whilst onboard follow all crew directions as they are given to ensure your safety and comfort at all times.
- Wetsuits are available for hire onboard ($15) however are not required due to no stingers, box or Irukandji jellyfish at Lady Musgrave Island.
SEASICKNESS PREVENTION:
We strongly recommend that all passengers take sea-sickness medication as a precaution. Please consult with a pharmacist or doctor before taking any medication.
For those who knowingly suffer seasickness pharmacists recommend: Take Phenergan night prior to travel
Stay hydrated
Avoid alcohol 24hrs prior
Get a good nights rest before travelling
Avoid milky drinks, coffee etc morning of travel
Eat before taking seasickness medication
Take seasickness medication 40 minutes prior to boarding
- Take Phenergan night prior to travel
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid alcohol 24hrs prior
- Get a good nights rest before travelling
- Avoid milky drinks, coffee etc morning of travel
- Eat before taking seasickness medication
- Take seasickness medication 40 minutes prior to boarding
WHAT TO BRING:
- Physical Credit/debit card or cash for onboard purchases as we operate outside of mobile data reception and cannot accept contactless payments throughout our transfers. A physical credit card is required as security for onboard tabs at our kiosk or pay with cash for purchases.
- Reef Safe Sunscreen (non-reef safe sunscreen is strictly prohibited -reef safe sunscreen available onboard for $25)
- Beach towel
- Swimwear
- Reef shoes/crocs/thongs – These are mandatory when disembarking our glass bottom boat for guided island walking tours. Recommend crocs, reef shoes or thongs as they will get wet
- Cameras
- Drink bottle
- Required medications (epi-pen, seasickness tablets for the return journey)
- Dive or snorkel gear if you wish to use own
- Physical Credit/debit card or cash for onboard purchases as we operate outside of mobile data reception and cannot accept contactless payments throughout our transfers. A physical credit card is required as security for onboard tabs at our kiosk or pay with cash for purchases.
- Reef Safe Sunscreen (non-reef safe sunscreen is strictly prohibited -reef safe sunscreen available onboard for $25)
- Beach towel
- Swimwear
- Reef shoes/crocs/thongs – These are mandatory when disembarking our glass bottom boat for guided island walking tours. Recommend crocs, reef shoes or thongs as they will get wet
- Cameras
- Drink bottle
- Required medications (epi-pen, seasickness tablets for the return journey)
- Dive or snorkel gear if you wish to use own
CERTIFIED SCUBA DIVERS:
If you booked a certified scuba dive or are participating in the Outer Reef Double dive you must complete a CERTIFIED DIVER MANDATORY DIVE WAIVER prior to arrival and supply a copy of your Diving Certification. Please click the link above to complete online.
Minimum diving experience requirements for Outer Reef:– 20+ logged dives– Confident with no mooring line free ascent and descent drift diving– Recent diving experience (within 12 months)
OPTIONAL EXTRAS/UPGRADES:
- SINGLE CERT LAGOON DIVE $90 pp
- NON-CERT INTRO SCUBA DIVE $140 pp
- VIP UPGRADE $95 pp
- MARINE BIO EXPERIENCE $55 pp
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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Well done guys
The boat was clean and well looked after, as was the pontoon and amenities. While we have done better glass bottom boat tours before, the commentary and interaction from Hunter was great.
As for the snorkelling, the visibility on our visit was far superior to other tours we had done from further up on the reef. The equipment provided was well kept and very organised and easy to borrow. It was also very easy access from the pontoon to the water for myself and 2 children.
We snorkelled alongside turtles, enormous coral gardens and a beautiful array of fish species. It felt safe with children given the provision of pool noodles and life jackets and having staff in the water checking in on people too. Today, Sydney spent quite a bit of time assisting my daughter when she was out snorkelling. This wasn’t expected, but was truly appreciated!!!
Well done Lady Musgrave Experience, on employing the right employees and training them well. Customer service made this experience better than other tours we had been on.
The crew were AAA+ they honestly enhanced the experience so much, pointing out whale positions in relation to the boat so we could all view and capature the whales. The whole crew on our particular day helped us to relax and not worry about a single thing. Made sure we we're comfortable and well fed at lunch time, yummy wraps.
Perfect all round!
On the day we went, there was probably 80-90 people. We were split into groups so the activities could be coordinated and not too crowded. Worked really well.
The pontoon was great. There was plenty of places to sit and take in the views if you weren't snorkelling. The lunch was great and the snorkelling equipment & wetsuits were in excellent condition.
The snorkelling area was really well protected even though it was quite windy that day. We saw so many different reef fish and turtles. It was awesome.
Whilst there are no age restrictions, I wouldn't recommend taking young children. There isn't a lot to do once they are done snorkelling and it is a long day in and out.
We thoroughly recommend this trip experience.
Crew very experienced. Equipment provided.
Nothing prepares you for the turquoise waters and snoring experience - we saw turtles, star fish and many others.
While there were warnings, sea sickness is a thing. We were ok but over half the boat were unwell, especially on the sail to the island. It’s a quick transition to the first activity when you land at the pontoon and after two hours of sea sickness, it can be a little overwhelming.
That said, it was seriously one of the best days of my life and a must do for any family.
The crew/staff are top notch, friendly and efficient. So glad we decided to go with your company. Saw and did everything promised. Well done guys!
But regarding the trip, the ride out to the island was rather bumpy and quite a few people had to take motion sickness tablets and sit outside. But the crew was awesome and helped the best they could when people weren’t feeling well. The boat itself is very spacious and has very comfortable inside seats, some light snacks, and a coffee bar for purchase along with souvenirs. They also play various nature/ocean videos on the TVs which is a nice way to pass the time.
Once out there, the whole experience was very well organized and I felt like we had plenty of time to snorkel, relax, and do the island tour and glass bottom boat. Tons of turtles when we went in early April and a small manta ray even swam by once. The pontoon is also very spacious and lunch wasn’t actually pretty good in my opinion, even if it was simple. They had make-your-own Mediterranean wraps/sandwiches, and on the pontoon boat coffee and tea were complimentary.
So overall, we had an amazing time. The island and surrounding reef are very beautiful and teeming with life. You get this feeling that you never know what will show up - a turtle, a ray, a shark…could be a surprise! And the cost for all of this was a great deal in my opinion!
The staff treated us so well, and kept us comfortable (even with unusually rough seas for our journey to the reef). The equipment is fantastic, modern & comfy.
The snorkelling was awesome with great equipment for us to use. They made sure we were safe every single step. We easily saw turtles, sea snakes, many fish (large & small) and the southern Great Barrier Reef coral. Wow. Now I want to do their scuba experience as well.
The glass bottom was fantastic as was the island tour. Staff were knowledgeable a kept us comfortable every moment.
They provided lunch, morning and afternoon tea and coffee, and we could purchase other things on board and on the pontoon at the reef. Thanks all for a beautiful experience. DO NOT MISS THIS EXEPRIENCE
A huge shoutout to the amazing crew—Jade, Emma, and Benji—who truly made the day extra special. Their warmth, professionalism, and genuine care for everyone on board didn’t go unnoticed. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and having the best possible experience.
If you’re thinking about exploring the Great Barrier Reef, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s one of those days you’ll be talking about long after it’s over 🌊🐠
A huge shoutout to the amazing crew—Jade, Emma, and Benji—who truly made the day extra special. Their warmth, professionalism, and genuine care for everyone on board didn’t go unnoticed. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, informed, and having the best possible experience.
If you’re thinking about exploring the Great Barrier Reef, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It’s one of those days you’ll be talking about long after it’s over
Before heading out to Lady Musgrave our group of 13 thought the highlight was going to be snorkelling with turtles, Nemo the clownish, manta rays and oodles of other tropical fish in a stunning location. What we did not envisage was the exemplary service, sublime chef-prepared meals and commradery created through sharing this experience with others.
A three-course meal of beef rainbow summer rolls, confit duck with smashed pototoes and veges, and berry pannacotta topped with freshly baked brownies all served with a smile topped off a terrific first day.
The glamping beds on Lady Musgrave HQ are surprisingly comfy, and our every whim was catered to where possible.
Waking in the morning to a view of the lagoon with the island in the distance was an incredible way to kickstart our second day.
None of this would have been possible without the Lady Musgrave Experience team. A huge thank you to Emma, Mats, Xante, Jack, Callam, Benji, Alessia, Matt the skipper, Chef Eamenn, and, in the galley, Savanna, Suz, and Makayla. They made this a lifetime memory bar none.
The only suggestion we’d make is that the guides made zero reference at any point to the indigenous heritage of the island. This is very strange as the same company runs a dedicated tour in collaboration with a local indigenous group. It’s really important to acknowledge that not everything began with Captain Cook.
Amazing the birds and fish were not afraid of people. My favourite part was snorkling with a school of purple iridescent fish. My suggestions are: Have afternoon tea on pontoon prior leaving as it became very choppy on way back. Also have a wall showing different fish and coral with names on the pontoon so you can identify what you saw snorkling.
Thankyou to all the amazing staff for such a wonderful experience
Paul and Penny Johnson
The catamaran transport was about two hours each direction. Pretty comfortable overall, felt safe and had a snack and enjoyed the breeze and views.
Once there, the group was divided up and then had a schedule for things like snorkeling, lunch, glass bottom boat and island walk. Overall it worked well. We felt lucky to see two types of sea turtles, remoras, reef sharks, dolphins, octopus, many species of fish and then countless birds on the island walk. We were hoping to see turtle hatchlings which were in season, but no luck (it sounds like this mostly occurs at night). Some unforgettable memories and photos.
My only complaint was the food. As we were out for about 8-9 hours overall this was a necessary part of the experience, and unfortunately the food and food service just wasn’t very good overall. Edible but not enjoyable.
Overall we enjoyed it very much and I would give it 5 stars other than the food aspect, thus the rating of 4.
( Dive master plus 3 divers in total). The island is fascinating, it is a bird nesting sanctuary, birds everywhere. In the water heaps of fish, turtles, rays and living coral. Good visibility. Great boat and pontoon. Lots of room for everyone. Totally great day!
Although the morning was "a little bumpy"🤪🤣 and with people lining up to be sick and some throwing up everywhere, the professional crew showed genuine care and did an amazing job looking after everyone.
All the activities were fantastic, including the glass-bottom boat, the island tour, and of course the highlight: snorkelling! I saw so much marine life and was lucky enough to see many turtles thanks to it being hatching season.
The food throughout the day really helped keep our energy up. Morning tea (bread and fruit), lunch (salad, prawns, chicken and soup), and afternoon tea (celery, hummus and cake) weren’t fancy, but they were nutritious and tasty.
The views were absolutely worth it, and the crew truly showed how caring and friendly they were, always there to help with anything they could.
Special thanks to Belly, Grace and Yuka. You made my trip beyond wonderful!
I will definitely come back again.🥰
Gluten free was catered in terms of fruit salad, meat, and lunch salads.
Little over 2 hours each way (bring cards and a book). Sea sick tablets if you need that too as some choppy waves. Great crew. Highly recommend
Snorkelling over the reef edge and getting to see a wild sea turtle on the reef was unforgettable.
It was a wonderful day. The food and comfort on the boat and pontoon were fantastic also.
The tour has everything. We got to snorkel, enjoy the glass-bottom boat and walk around Lady Musgrave Island while learning about the environment and how the whole ecosystem works. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea were all really nice too.
This was my second time doing the day tour and it was just as amazing as the first. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to see the best of the Great Barrier Reef. Truly an unforgettable day.
Overall a lovely time, definitely worth doing! (I want to go back already!)
Check in was smooth and the boat is pretty nice. Takes over 2 hours to get to the island, and it will be sloshing and jumping for most of it. We took travacalm on the way out but not the way back and did not get sick.
They gave us a brief rundown of sea critters in the reef before we showed up; saw maybe half those in the water.
Our group did snorkeling first, then lunch, then island tour/glass bottom boat, and more snorkeling. Their snorkle gear is pretty good but I prefer the full face masks from Amazon if you have one. The snorkeling was amazing! So many reef fish, sea turtles, and beautiful coral. The weather was nice and bright and the water is super clear.
The lunch was okay, but I felt we didn't have enough time to eat it.
The island tour was fun, lots of weird birds, and we saw some reef sharks near the shore.
The glass bottom boat was good, though I felt the snorkeling was better.
The pontoon that you do all of this from is pretty nice as well; good layout, shade, seating, beers, etc.
My only qualm is that you spend 4+ hours at sea to get about the same amount of time in the reef.
We went in November, the weather was pretty great, but we missed rain by 1 day.
Hafeez, Pakistan
Island with the LMI Experience team. Check in was smooth, the swell a bit choppy but everyone was made to feel comfortable (crew were great with dealing with a few people suffering from sea sickness). When we arrived at the Island time flew by in the best way - an informative and excellent island tour, a cool glass-bottom boat tour where we spotted turtles, then snorkelling and a scuba dive after lunch - both were amazing, there's so much to see in the lagoon, especially The Aquarium section!
Special thanks for Alex for an awesome dive and a great chat on the way home - must do trip!
























































