15 Dec
The Ultimate Adventure Seekers Guide To Fitzroy Island
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The Ultimate Adventure Seekers Guide to Fitzroy Island

When you picture a tropical island getaway, you don’t necessarily have visions of a holiday filled with adventure and thrills. The scene that generally comes to mind for most people is lazing the days away under a palm tree on a secluded beach, sipping away on fruity cocktails.

Well, of course palm trees and secluded beaches are a must for any tropical island, but if you’re an adventurer at heart and are looking to add some excitement and activity into the mix, then you can’t go past Fitzroy Island.

Fitzroy Island is just off the coast of Cairns in Far North Queensland and is situated amongst the world famous Great Barrier Reef. It has a relaxed, friendly vibe and is blessed with warm weather all year round, which is great for all those adventurers out there who would rather be out exploring than cooped up inside.

Some of the activities on offer at Fitzroy Island that adventure seekers will love are:

Scuba Diving

It doesn’t get much more thrill seeking than scuba diving amongst one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Great Barrier Reef is home to a breathtaking array of marine creatures including 600 types of soft and hard corals, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins.

The Fitzroy Island Sports Hub is PADI-accredited and offers visitors the opportunity to get up close to some of this amazing sea life. For those who have never gone diving before, there are many options for you to learn scuba diving with qualified and highly experienced instructors, who can help you can get comfortable underwater and familiar with your scuba gear before heading out to the sheltered reefs just offshore.

For certified divers, there are a number of island reefs that you can explore close to shore. Or, if you want to go further afield, you can do a boat drop from the resort tender where you have the unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the outer barrier reef. 

Snorkelling

If you love the feeling of freedom as you glide through the warm, clear waters without the weight of heavy dive equipment, then snorkelling may be better suited to you. The breathtaking beauty of the reef can be accessed straight from the Island’s beaches and you can spend hours exploring the magical world that lies just below the ocean’s surface.

Just grab a mask, snorkel and fins and off you go.

If you don’t have your own snorkel gear then everything you need can be hired from the Resort.

Great Barrier Reef Tours

Sea Kayaking

For those adventurers who like something a little different, Fitzroy Island run 3-hour Sea Kayaking Tours where your experienced guide will firstly brief you on some basic training and safety procedures of sea kayaking, before taking you on an informative and fun kayaking adventure.

The tour takes you kayaking around Fitzroy Island, and to private beaches and snorkelling locations on the reef that can’t be accessed by boat or foot. It includes a picnic lunch, the hire of all snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) and the use of the glass bottom sea kayaks, which give you a great view of the reef and the magical sea life below.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to book in with a guided tour, you have the option to hire sea kayaks directly from the resort. This option is great if you want the freedom and flexibility to go off on your own adventure and explore the Island and reef at your own pace.

Fitzroy-Island-Kayaking

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

One of Australia’s fastest growing water sports, stand up paddle boarding, is an amazing way to get out on the water and explore!  And when you give it a go, you will see why it has become so popular.

Stand up paddle boarding is huge amounts of fun and all you need is your board, your paddle, a reasonable level of fitness and confidence in the water.

You can go at your own pace, and once you’ve mastered standing up, you are on your way to explore the magical waters beneath your feet.

The beauty of stand-up paddle boarding is that it gives you the chance to go to those smaller areas that can’t quite be reached by boat.  Walk on water and admire the majesty of the marine life below. Keep an eye out for turtles, rays, and thousands of reef fish!

You can stand up paddle board on almost any body of water, and it’s the perfect way to stay fit and strong, so you might find yourself wanting to bring this habit home.

To make it easy to your exploration underway, you can hire a stand up paddle board at the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub at the resort.

Walking Tracks

Fitzroy Island is 97% National Park, covered in lush tropical rainforest and home to some unique wildlife. There are a number of bushwalking tracks throughout the Island to explore this amazing environment, which is perfect for those adventurers who love to get out and about on foot.

There are easy 5-minute walking tracks to explore, as well as longer trails ranging from 30-minute walks to 3-hour hikes. Exploring the Island via these tracks is a great way to spend the day or afternoon. Some of the popular walks are:

  • Secret Garden Track – 1km return, 45 minutes duration

Explore the western edge of the jetty, taking in the giant granite boulders and lush tropical rainforest.

  • Nudey Beach Track – 1km return, 45 minutes duration

The Nudey Beach Track is a nice leisurely walk that takes you through tropical rainforest and coastal woodlands before opening onto the stunning award-winning white coral beach. Nudey Beach was voted Australia’s #2 Best Beach, and here you’ll find calm blue waters – perfect for swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing on the beach.

Nudey Beach - Voted #2 Best Beach in Australia

These activities are just a handful of what Fitzroy Island has to offer the adventurous traveller. The Island also offers Glass Bottom Boat Tours, Yoga Classes, camping and even their own Turtle Rehabilitation Centre that is open to visitors. So it’s safe to say – if you’re seeking some adventure on your next getaway, then Fitzroy Island is the place to go.

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