Get Reeled In: 31 Barrier Reef Islands Where You Can Vacation Like a Fish

Swim, Dive, and Relax in Style: Discover the Best Barrier Reef Islands with Hotels for Your Next Underwater Adventure

The Great Barrier Reef islands are natural wonders of the world, stretching over 1429 miles/2,300 kilometers along the coast of Queensland, Australia. With its crystal clear waters, vibrant marine life, and stunning coral formations, it’s no wonder that the Great Barrier Reef islands are a popular destination for visitors from all around the globe.

While many people come to snorkel or dive on the reef, there are also plenty of beautiful barrier reef islands– either on or near the reef where visitors can stay in hotels and enjoy various activities, from swimming and sunbathing to fishing and kayaking.

This list shares the best barrier reef islands with hotels, from secluded eco-resorts to luxurious island getaways.

Here are some of the Great Barrier Reef islands where visitors can stay in hotels:

1. Agincourt Reef – Located off the coast of Port Douglas, Agincourt Reef is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, with a luxury pontoon that offers a range of activities and a floating hotel.
2. Bedarra Island – Situated in North Queensland, Bedarra Island is home to a luxury resort offering various accommodation options, including villas and suites.
3. Bedwell Island – Situated off the coast of Port Douglas, Bedwell Island is a small, secluded island with a luxury resort offering a range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, and fishing around the other barrier reef islands.
4. Brampton Island – Situated off the coast of Mackay, Brampton Island is a secluded getaway with a resort offering a range of accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and villas.
5. Daydream Island – Located in Whitsundays, Daydream Island is a popular destination with a resort offering various accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and villas
6. Double Island – Situated off the coast of Palm Cove, Double Island is a secluded island with a luxury resort offering a range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, and hiking.
7. Dunkley Island – Situated off the coast of North Queensland, Dunkley Island is a small, secluded island with a luxury resort offering a range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, and fishing.
8. Dunk Island – Located in Queensland’s Cassowary Coast region, Dunk Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef islands group and is home to a resort offering various accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and villas.
9. Fitzroy Island – Located off the coast of Cairns, Fitzroy Island is home to a resort offering various accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and apartments.
10. Great Keppel Island – Located off the coast of Central Queensland, Great Keppel Island is a popular destination with various accommodation options, including resorts, apartments, and campsites.
11. Green Island – Located off the coast of Cairns in Queensland, Green Island is a popular day trip destination but also has a resort offering overnight stays.
12. Hayman Island – Located in the Whitsundays, Hayman Island is a luxurious getaway with a resort offering various accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and villas.
13. Haggerstone Island – Situated off the coast of North Queensland, Haggerstone Island is a private island–offering remote and exclusive getaways with a luxury resort, a range of activities, including fishing, diving, and snorkeling.
14. Hinchinbrook Island – Located off the coast of North Queensland, Hinchinbrook Island is a wilderness paradise with a luxury eco-resort offering a range of activities, including hiking, fishing, and kayaking.
15. Hamilton Island: – Located in the Whitsundays, Queensland, Hamilton Island is a popular tourist destination with various accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, apartments, and villas.
16. Heron Island – Situated off the coast of Gladstone in Queensland, Heron Island is known for its marine life. It has various accommodation options, including a resort and a research station.
17. Lady Elliot Island – Located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is a popular destination for eco-tourists, with accommodation options including an eco-resort and glamping tents.
18. Lizard Island – Situated on the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is home to a luxury resort that offers a range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, and fishing.
19. Lady Musgrave Island – Located off the coast of Bundaberg, Lady Musgrave Island is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, with a range of accommodation options, including camping and glamping.
20. Long Island – Situated in the Whitsundays, Long Island is a picturesque destination with a resort offering a range of accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and apartments.
21. Magnetic Group – Located off the coast of Townsville, the Magnetic Group of the barrier reef islands includes Magnetic Island, Great Palm Island, and Orpheus Island, all offering a range of accommodation options.
22. North Stradbroke Island – Located off the coast of Brisbane, North Stradbroke Island is a popular destination with various accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, and holiday houses.
23. Orpheus Island Lodge – Located off the coast of North Queensland, Orpheus Island Lodge is a luxury resort focusing on sustainable tourism, offering a range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, and kayaking.
24. One&Only Hayman Island – Situated on Hayman Island, One&Only Hayman Island is a luxury resort with various accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and villas.
25. Palm Cove – Located in Far North Queensland, Palm Cove is a picturesque destination with various accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, and apartments.
26. Palm Island Resort & Spa – Situated off the coast of Townsville, Palm Island Resort & Spa is a luxury resort with a range of amenities, including a spa, a swimming pool, and a range of dining options.
27. Pumpkin Island – Situated off the coast of Yeppoon, Pumpkin Island is a small, eco-friendly island with various accommodation options, including cabins, tents, and glamping.
28. Reef View Hotel – Located on Hamilton Island, Reef View Hotel is a luxury hotel with a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, a gym, and a day spa.
29. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas – Located in Port Douglas, the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is a luxurious destination with various accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and villas.
30. South Molle Island – Located in the Whitsundays, South Molle Island is a popular destination with a resort offering a range of accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and villas.
31. Wilson Island – Located off the coast of Gladstone, Wilson Island is a secluded island with a luxury eco-resort offering a range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, and kayaking.

Did you know?

The Great Barrier Reef Islands are home to a unique species of fish known as the “Bumphead Parrotfish” or “Bolbometopon muricatum.” These fish are one of the largest parrotfish species in the world and can grow up to 1.3 meters in length and weigh over 40 kilograms.

Bumphead parrotfish are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes a large, bony forehead that they use to headbutt the coral reefs, breaking off chunks of coral to feed on.

This process is essential to the reef’s health, as it helps to break down the old coral, making way for new growth. Bumphead parrotfish are also considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, leading to overfishing and declining numbers.

A little history:

The Great Barrier Reef islands– the total reef is believed to have formed around 25 million years ago due to geological shifts and movements of the earth’s crust. However, the reef as we know it today was largely shaped during the last 10,000 years as sea levels rose following the ice age.

The indigenous peoples of the area, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have lived on Great Barrier Reef islands region for thousands of years and have a deep cultural connection to the land and sea.

In 1770, the barrier reef islands were first sighted by the British explorer Captain James Cook, who famously ran his ship, the HMS Endeavour, aground on a reef near Cooktown, causing significant damage to the vessel. It was later mapped and surveyed by several explorers, including Matthew Flinders, who sailed around most of the reef in 1802.

Throughout the 1800-1900s, the barrier reef islands became popular destinations for fishermen, pearl divers, and tourists and has since become one of the world’s most essential and iconic natural wonders.