Discover Turtle Season On Heron Island

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and delve deep into this island paradise filled to the brim with natural beauty and an abundance of marine life.
Heron Island is a stunning coral cay situated 89km off of the coast of Queensland. The island is the perfect long weekend away for those who want rid of the buzz of mobile phones and lethargy of television and really experience a relaxing island getaway on the Great Barrier Reef.

Heron Island is small enough to walk around the entire island in just 20 minutes, and with a no-day trippers rule, this guest-only island means you won’t be crowded in and battling to find a spot
for your towel on the beach. To reach this tropical arcadia of the Great Barrier Reef you can either take a boat for $60 or travel by seaplane for $338. The exclusivity of the island enables you to escape the tourist trap of other resorts within the Great Barrier Reef.
The island features a range of stunning accommodation including private suites, a free-standing beach house, and twin rooms. Each accommodation type features a balcony or terrace, en suite bathrooms, towels, air conditioning, mini bars and more. Most rooms offer ocean views in between the unique vegetation on this plush island.

From October to March, Heron Island is brought to life by the annual visit from Loggerhead and Green Turtles making their pilgrimage to breed on the shores of the island. The breeding turtles return some 30 years after hatching in the region, continuing the circle of life.
Heron Island has a resident population of around 4,000 turtles who live on Heron reef, so you can expect to see turtles in the water all year round. In September, more of these giants of the sea flock back to the island to mate and lay clutches of eggs. Hatching usually occurs with the warmer weather from December.

You can take full advantage of this magical time of year and make the most of the fantastic savings and inclusions on offer when you book your 3 (or more!) night turtle season holiday, which includes:
• Accommodation
• Daily Breakfast • 1 snorkel trip
• 24 hours free Wi-Fi for 1 device
• A special turtle gift (an ornament per room or a t-shirt/turtle backpack for kids)
• From $160 per person, per night, based on twin share
Book a suite and receive return boat transportation for 2 adults. Better yet, kids stay and eat breakfast for free when using existing bedding configuration.
Book at www.heronisland.com

Top Tips for Turtle Watching

• To find a turtle, simply walk along Heron Beach one or two hours after the evening’s high tide. Look for tracks in the sand to see where the turtles have come in from the ocean.
• Light can disturb and disorient the turtles, so always minimise the use of torches and make sure they’re 3-volt low-impact torches.
• Don’t use flash photography.
• When you see a turtle moving up or down the beach stay as still as possible. Excessive movement can upset the turtles.
• Never walk in front of a turtle, always walk behind them.
• Do not try and approach the turtles. If they feel threatened they will retreat to the sea and not lay their eggs.
• If you come across a turtle digging out her nest, give her some room. Sit down quietly behind the turtle at least 10 metres away. Once she has finished digging, wait at least 15 minutes then you may approach from behind.
• The turtles can be quite stressed and tired after a night of digging and laying their eggs so always be sure to not get too close (10 metres is close enough) so as not to panic them.