Learn how to plan a trip to The Low Isles off Port Douglas, Australia, including the best ways to get there, what to expect & photos to inspire your visit.
The Low Isles, or Low Islets, is a small coral cay consisting of two islands, Low Island and Woody Island and is located roughly 25 km east of Port Douglas. It’s a great little set of islands that offers a glimpse of the Great Barrier Reef just a short hop from the mainland.
Between the Islands is a rich, fringing reef extending outwards and surrounds the islets that is great for snorkeling.
Overview & Things to Know
The main island is called "Low Island" and it's a small, round island with thick tropical vegetation. On the island, there is a Heritage-listed lighthouse, a small research station, and accommodation for the island caretakers.
On the other side is Woody Island, a larger yet uninhabited mangrove island. This is home to many nesting birds and is protected and restricted, and travelers aren't allowed to step foot here.
- Access: You can reach the isles via a 30-minute boat ride from Port Douglas (info below).
- Why Visit: This is a great island for Snorkeling near Cairns and Port Douglas, taking glass-bottom boat tours, or a day of scuba diving and exploring the reef.
- Facilities: There are no toilets, change rooms, or shops on the Lowe Isles. Most boat trips will have these on board the vessel.
How to get to Low Island From Port Douglas
The Lowe Isles are the easiest and quickest islands to get to from Port Douglas. It's Port Douglas' answer to Cairns' Green Island and Fitzroy Island.
However, you'll need to book a boat transfer to get here. There are loads of tour booking agencies in Port Douglas but they often charge high commission rates so I would suggest booking online instead.
The most cost-effective and popular boat trip to Low Island from Port Douglas is onboard the Wavedancer. This whopping, 30-meter luxury catamaran sailing vessel seriously has to be seen to be believed. The tour on offer is equally impressive. It includes:
- A full-day sailing trip to Low Island from Port Douglas (return)
- Glass bottom boat cruise at Low Island
- Snorkel equipment rental (guided tour included)
- A tropical buffet lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
The cost of booking a day trip to Low Island on the Wavedancer is less than $260 per person. This trumps all other options in terms of price considering what you get.
Book: Wavedancer Day Trip
Alternative Day Trip
Your other option will be to take an organised half-day snorkelling trip. Calypso is one company that offers trips out to the islands from Port Douglas.
For this option, it'll cost you roughly $230. This is more affordable than the trip with Wavedancer, but the first trip includes a lot more for the price.
What to Expect at the Low Isles
Looking to explore one of the Great Barrier Reef's best islands? Below I've listed a few things that you'll definitely want to check out on your Low Isles itinerary.
The Island Lighthouse
The first thing you might spot when you approach the island is the picturesque white lighthouse named Low Isles Light. This is an active lighthouse that was built in 1878.
If you approach it for a closer look by land, you'll probably spot the huge pile of sticks at the top. This is actually an Eagle's nest. I was told that there are two resident Eagles who have made the nest to raise chicks.
Beside the lighthouse is a small research station. This was the site for the world's first international research project on coral reefs, which brought scientists from all over the world to study the Great Barrier Reef in 1928.
Go Snorkelling at the Fringing Reef
Probably the main reason most people visit the Low Isles and the Great Barrier Reef, in general, is to check out the incredible underwater world.
The reef surrounding the island group is in good shape. There are 150 different types of hard corals and an abundance of marine creatures. You'll get to see huge groupers, colourful parrotfish, anemone fish, damselfish and big schools of mackerel, just to name a few.
If you're lucky, you might even spot a resident turtle or some black-tip reef sharks as I did in the deeper waters or sandy flats.
Where to Stay at Port Douglas
There is no accommodation available at the Low Isles, so it's best to stay in town instead. If you want to stay on an island, you can check out Green Island and Fitzroy Island Resort.
The best places to stay in Port Douglas are Four Mile Beach for iconic sandy stretches and luxury resorts, Macrossan Street for bustling nightlife and dining, or the Marina for easy access to Great Barrier Reef tours and serene waterfront stays in Port Douglas. Below are my top hotel picks for all budgets.
1. Sheraton Grand Mirage Luxury
An amazing tropical resort you'll often see advertised on Port Douglas billboards. The Sheraton features an amazing lagoon pool and the top suites even have swim out balconies!
2. Oaks Resort Mid-Range
The Oaks is a great luxury accommodation pick that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Here, you'll find beautiful suites with palm garden views and a lagoon pool with a swim-up bar.
3. Global Backpackers Budget
The best backpacker hostel in Port Douglas. This is the best place to base yourself if you're looking to meet link-minded travellers in a central location.
Information for Sailors & Yachties
If you're lucky enough to explore the Low Isles on your own sailing boat, then you might be interested in knowing the anchorage information.
For sailors and cruisers, it's possible to grab some courtesy park mooring buoys just outside the coral lagoon. There are three available, and they accommodate monohulled vessels up to 20 meters, and cats up to 18.
Otherwise, you'll be best to anchor just off the reef. Here, you'll find a sandy bottom but keep in mind that the water is quite deep here, so let out plenty of chain.
I hope you've enjoyed this guide! For more Far North Queensland travel inspiration, check out some of the other articles on my blog.
- 60+ Things to do in Cairns - my ultimate Cairns and FNQ travel resource covering the best activities, hidden gems, and unmissable experiences.
- Cairns Hiking Guide - a huge list of epic rainforest, waterfall, and lookout hikes in Cairns.
- Cairns Waterfalls - a huge list of epic waterfalls that I've visited in Cairns and the surrounding tropics.
- Cairns Islands - discover my favorite Great Barrier Reef islands near Cairns and Port Douglas.
- Cairns Tours - my roundup of the best tours you can book in Cairns and FNQ, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Daintree Rainforest.
- Cairns Packing List - tips on what to pack for a trip to Far North Queensland.
- Top Things to Do in Port Douglas - a comprehensive guide to the sleepy Far North Queensland town of Port Douglas.
- Epic 5-Day Cairns Itinerary - my suggested adventure itinerary if you only have 5 days to spend in Cairns.
- Cape Tribulation Travel Guide - discover where the rainforest meets the reef at one of my favourite places in Australia.
- Best Things to do in the Atherton Tablelands - my guide to one of Far North Queensland's most underrated adventure destinations.
- Accommodation Resources: Discover where to stay in Cairns, the best hotels in Port Douglas and my Cape Tribulation accommodation guide.
