Wildlife Spotting On Heron Island

Platypus Paradise Tour

Book Now

Kayak Turtle Tour – Half Day

Book Now

Snorkel Safari Guided Tour

Book Now

Full Day Reef Fishing Share Charter

Book Now

Northwest Loop Tour

Book Now

Two Island Safari & Thundercat Day Tour

Book Now

A sanctuary in the northern tropics of Queensland, Heron Island is home to many different animals throughout the year. They are so popular, in fact, that it is one of the reasons why so many stay on the island. Here are just some of the creatures you can spot.

Turtles

Green and Loggerhead turtles nest on Heron Island, and between October and March, you can see the nesting and hatching experience with your own eyes. To not disturb the process, there are strict guidelines in place, including restricted the use of torches as to not confuse the hatchlings when they find their way to the ocean.

The best time of the day to spot turtles on Heron Beach is one or two hours after evening high tide. Keep an eye out for tracks in the sand. Of course, there’s also a high chance you will bump into an adult turtle while snorkelling in the surrounding waters – a must-do activity when visiting the island.

Rays

These peaceful, pancake-like swimmers can be found in the shallow waters around Heron Island. Most commonly sighted are Giant Shovel-nosed Rays, White-spotted Eagle Rays, Blue-spotted Fantail Rays, Cow-tail Rays, and Pink-whip Tail Rays.

Whales

The humpback whale migration between June and September can be witnessed from Heron Island, as they make their way to the warmer waters for winter. Look out for them from the island, or try and spot them during a diving trip.

Sharks

The most common sharks found on Heron Reef are the Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks. They are harmless to humans, but should be watched from a distance and left undisturbed.

Birds

At the peak of breeding and nesting season, there are hundreds of thousands of birds on Heron Island. Resident birds include the Sacred Kingfisher, Eastern Reef Egret, and Buff Branded Rail, but the Black Noddy is one of the most popular breeding birds with between 70,000 and 120,000 on the island at one time.

Needless to say, Heron Island is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise from high in the trees to under the ocean’s surface. If you want to experience Heron Island, there’s resort accommodation, amazing restaurants and breath-taking activities. With a no day-trippers rule, this is your chance to stay in paradise for a few days of sunbathing, snorkelling and wildlife spotting.

Visit www.heronisland.com