Overview
The island is the closest land to the outer reef on this part of the coast, which is why both the resort and the Australian Museum’s research station are here — the reef edge is a short boat ride rather than a long crossing. Around it are two dozen sand beaches and a sheltered lagoon. Cook climbed the island’s high point in 1770 looking for a way out through the reef, and the ridge he used is now the island’s main walk.
Highlights
Walk up to Cook’s Look, about 360 metres and two hours return, for the view of the reef passages he was searching for. Snorkel the clam garden in the lagoon, where giant clams sit in shallow water. The beaches are almost all reachable on foot and almost all empty. Access is by light aircraft from Cairns; there is no ferry, and apart from a small campsite the resort is the only accommodation.