Heron Island Resort

We travelled as a family of five (with kids aged 3, 5, and 12) and stayed in the two-bedroom family unit. Yes, the accommodation is on the expensive side for what you get, but you’re staying on a remote island surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef – what more could you ask for! We stayed in the two bedroom room (the most expensive), the tv had Netflix etc for kids and a great breakout space! I think the other rooms are a really great price for what you get to experience. The unit itself was close to everything, which made it easy with young children, and the staff were absolutely amazing and accommodating throughout our entire stay. I’ll be honest – I was hesitant to book after reading some reviews, but I’m so glad we went. We had the best time and I would go back in a heartbeat. The wildlife and marine life were just incredible. We saw turtles, sharks, stingrays, and so many fish. We saw lemon sharks, turtles, blacktip reef sharks, huge parrotfish, rays, and endless tropical fish. I recommend a 430pm snorkel just in front of the bar, within 5min, we passed sharks, endless turtles and rays! One highlight for us was the snorkel lessons offered in the pool. My 5-year-old gained confidence quickly, and even my 3-year-old was accommodated. By the end, my daughter was happily snorkeling in the ocean alongside us, which was so special swimming with blacktip sharks and parrot fish with her! Also! They don’t advertise enough their activities available! They had junior rangers which is a small fee but 1.5 hours, kids were happy playing with other kids (endless activities and marine life activities learning) and we got to explore the island alone - absolutely priceless and so thankful for this opportunity. Kids also loved the marine bingo!! Us too as we won a free cocktail coupon! Food-wise, we really enjoyed it. Some dishes were better than others, and yes, it is pricey – but considering everything has to be transported from the mainland, it’s to be expected. We did the buffet breakfast daily, and being able to take a banana or orange for the kids as morning tea was helpful. The only improvement I’d suggest is adding more accessible healthy snack options during the day, especially fruit plates for families with young children aside love to eat every 2 hours! Practical tips: • Travel insurance is a must. Our ferry was cancelled one day, and we ended up flying which was $500 per ticket. Because of mechanical delays with the boat, we were refunded for our helicopter flights – a huge relief. • The island is full of birdlife (and yes, bird poo!), but that’s part of the experience. We weren’t there during mutton bird season, so noise wasn’t an issue and we all slept well. We didn’t mind the birds and added to the experience. Overall, this trip was such a memorable family holiday. The reef, the wildlife, the laid-back island atmosphere, and above all, the incredible staff made it unforgettable. Thank you to everyone at Heron Island Resort – we’ll definitely be back!

This island is very good for a family vacation. The island is amazing for beaches, snorkeling, and guided tours of stuff like the research station, island walks, bird and shark talks, and stargazing! The staff are bery nice, and even though theu only have one resort and one restaurant, both exceed the public’s needs. The staff are very nice and respectful. Also elliot is a very nice guy.

Overall, the resort was excellent. Beautiful weather, our family room near the Gantry was great. Comfy beds, good shower, plenty of space. The activities were great, snorkelling was fun and the aquatic wildlife plentiful. The downside? The restaurant. Staff were helpful enough when you could get their attention but the food was usually cold and they run out of so many staples. No potatoes, no gnocchi, no chips. The steaks were the toughest boot leather I've ever eaten and the morning bacon about the same. Sloppy packet scrambled eggs and mashed potato was pretty ordinary also. Everything overpriced given the quality. Then there is the internet access. $25 per day for two devices. Come on it's 2025. Wifi is as basic a provision as hot water. Make it complimentary.

We were a family group of 14, ranging in age from 7 to 80. We stayed in a variety of room types. What a privilege to stay right on the Great Barrier Reef in a National Park. The accommodation was comfortable and clean. From some reviews I had read I was a bit wary about what the Resort would be like. It was fabulous! You need to remember that is is a National Park and a long way out from the mainland. People go there to experience the Reef and the island. But you can still get a massage, a cocktail, a delicious meal. But don't go if you don't want to spend most of your time outdoors loving the environment. There are interesting talks and walks, many free of charge. You can borrow reef shoes and a walking pole and explore the shallow waters. You can buy snacks and clothing etc at the little shop. The reception staff were very helpful. To sit on a terrace and watch the sun set and the turtles swim by - doesn't get much better than this.

Such an amazing place!! Our family of four stayed four nights (Monday through Friday) and absolutely loved it. We had originally planned to just stay till Wednesday, but having the extra day and a half was so worth it. The only negative thing we had heard before arrival was that the food wasn't great. This wasn't a major concern and turned out not to be true. We tried almost the entire menu and enjoyed everything. I would recommend the pumpkin gnocchi and the mushroom arancini; they were my favorites. Although the menu was slightly limited compared to some restaurants (as expected on an island), I thought there was a good variety and everything was prepared well. The servers were super kind and accommodating. We dove 3 times, and the dive staff and guides were all so amazing. Everyone was incredibly helpful and happy. We had 3 separate SCUBA guides, and they all made sure we had a great experience. The marine life was incredible, so many fish and turtles. Diving with sharks and even a manta ray made for incredible memories. The entire island is beautiful, the staff are all so amazing, and it was an awesome experience overall. It is definitely a place we want to return to!