From Bundaberg, Lady Musgrave

Bundaberg: Lady Musgrave Island and Great Barrier Reef Tour

★ 4.8 368 reviews

from $237 per person

Opens the live page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 14 days before.

Duration: 10 hours
Meeting point: Bundaberg Port Marina, Burnett Heads
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 14 days before
Run by: Lady Musgrave Experience

Overview

This ten-hour day trip runs from Bundaberg Port Marina at Burnett Heads out to Lady Musgrave Island, on the southern stretch of the Great Barrier Reef. The catamaran cruise out includes morning tea, and the base for the day is Lady Musgrave HQ, an advanced eco-certified pontoon powered entirely by wind and solar, fitted with snorkel and dive platforms, an underwater observatory and a licensed bar.

In the lagoon around the island, snorkellers swim over coral gardens. Snorkelling gear is provided, and divers can pay extra for either an introductory dive or a certified dive. Non-swimmers are catered for too, with a glass-bottom boat tour, the underwater observatory at the pontoon, and a guided walk on the island itself. Back on board there is a buffet lunch built around local Bundaberg produce, warm freshwater showers, and afternoon tea on the return leg.

It suits confident swimmers, nervous first-timers and people who never intend to get wet. Reviews repeatedly single out the crew, with two travellers describing patient, hands-on help for anxious or inexperienced snorkellers. Note that hotel transfers are not part of the package; everyone makes their own way to the marina.

Catamaran at the Lady Musgrave Island lagoon on a day trip from Bundaberg.

What's Included

Included

Catamaran cruise
Morning and afternoon tea
Gourmet buffet lunch with local produce
Premium Mares snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, and fins)
Guided island walk
Glass-bottom boat tour
Access to warm freshwater showers

Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Non-certified introductory dives and certified dives (available to purchase)
Premium upgrade
Cheese and sparkling (available to purchase)
Wet suit (available to rent)

Itinerary

Meet at the marinaCheck in at Bundaberg Port Marina, 17 Marina Dr, Burnett Heads. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off.
Cruise to the reefBoard the catamaran and head out to the Southern Great Barrier Reef with morning tea served on the way.
Arrive at Lady Musgrave HQDock at the wind and solar powered pontoon, which has snorkel and dive platforms, an underwater observatory and a licensed bar.
Snorkel or dive the lagoonSnorkel the coral lagoon with the included Mares gear. Introductory and certified dives are optional and cost extra.
Glass-bottom boat and island walkTake the glass-bottom boat tour and join the guided walk on Lady Musgrave Island, both included and both dry options.
Lunch and showersEat a gourmet buffet lunch with local produce at your leisure, then rinse off in the warm freshwater showers.
Sail backReturn to Bundaberg Port Marina with afternoon tea served during the ride.

What To Expect From The Tour

A full day on open water needs a bit of planning. These are the practical points that come up across traveller reviews.

$237from, per person

10 hoursduration

4.8across 368 guest reviews

Seasickness prep. Bring motion sickness prevention, and reviewers back that up, with one advising you have to be more than usually seaworthy for the trip out. Sitting outside on the boat helped another traveller. Tablets are cheap insurance for a long day.
What to pack. Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, waterproof shoes, biodegradable sunscreen, cash and a credit card. Wetsuits are not included but can be rented, and cheese and sparkling is available to purchase.
Help for nervous swimmers. If the water worries you, the glass-bottom boat, the observatory and the island walk all work without getting wet.
Food and drink. Morning tea, afternoon tea and a buffet lunch are all included. Reviewers have praised both the lunch and the snacks provided across the day.
Crowd management. One reviewer noted that even with a full boat it never felt crowded.
Getting there. You make your own way to Bundaberg Port Marina at Burnett Heads, since transfers are not included. Plan to arrive with time to spare before the boat departs.

Check availability →

Common issues. One reviewer found the morning and afternoon tea limited and basic, and some travellers mention that clearer timing between activities and lunch would help the day feel less rushed. Diving, wetsuit rental, a premium upgrade and cheese and sparkling all cost extra, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Bring motion sickness prevention, and one reviewer reported a rough ride out, so plan for open water. Cancel up to 14 days in advance for a full refund.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

No. Transfers are not part of this tour, so you meet the boat at Bundaberg Port Marina, 17 Marina Dr, Burnett Heads. You need to arrange your own transport to and from the marina.

What Is Included In The Price?

The catamaran cruise, morning and afternoon tea, a gourmet buffet lunch with local produce, Mares snorkelling gear, the guided island walk, the glass-bottom boat tour and warm freshwater showers are all included. Dives, wetsuit rental, a premium upgrade and cheese and sparkling are extra purchases.

Can I Join If I Don't Swim?

Yes. The listing highlights the three-level pontoon, the glass-bottom boat tour and the guided island walk as dry ways to see the reef. One reviewer with a disability also praised the crew's assistance and guidance.

How Long Is The Tour?

The full experience runs about ten hours, including the cruise out, reef and island activities, lunch, and the sail back to the marina.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 14 days in advance for a full refund. Inside that window nothing is stated about the terms, so check with the operator before you commit.

What Should I Bring?

Swimwear, a towel, beachwear, waterproof shoes, biodegradable sunscreen, cash and a credit card are all on the list. Motion sickness prevention is also recommended, as one reviewer found the crossing rough.