ISLAND STORY

ISLAND STORY DESTINATION

SEABREEZE TAKES A LOOK AT TWO OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND GETAWAYS THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER

LIZARD ISLAND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF HAS TO BE ON EVERY DIVER’S BUCKET LIST, AND THERE ARE FEW BETTER PLACES FROM WHICH TO EXPLORE THIS NATURAL WONDER THAN LIZARD ISLAND.

The island was named by Captain Cook, who stopped off there while searching for a navigable passage through the reef. From the island’s highest vantage point, now known as Cook’s Look, he was able to spot a route to safety and, impressed by the sheer number of lizards calling it home, gave it its name.

Today the island has had minimal changes from Cook’s days. Its status as a national park means that development is strictly limited, ensuring that its natural beauty will continue to be enjoyed by generations of visitors.

90 In fact, while camping is allowed, there is only one hotel on the island, offering everything from standard rooms to luxury villas with private plunge pools.

Perhaps the biggest selling point for those looking for privacy is the sheer number of beaches: 24, compared to just 40 suites on the entire island. Whether it’s a lunchtime picnic or a candlelit dinner, the island offers a tropical paradise for those few lucky enough to visit it.

But as spectacular as the island’s scenery may be, it’s beneath the clear blue waters that the real treasure lies. And for that, you will need a yacht. Lizard Island is a diver’s paradise, with countless tropical fish and some fringe reefs. A must-see is the world-famous Cod Hole, renowned for the huge but friendly Potato Cod. The resort can also arrange trips to the nearby Great Barrier Reef, allowing you to experience the majesty of this natural wonder in person.

Lizard Island does have some public mooring areas but there are restrictions on fishing and anchorage off some parts of the island, so it is advisable to check carefully before you set sail. Alternatively there are flights several times a day from the mainland city of Cairns, which take around an hour.

For breathtaking scenery both above and below the water, Lizard Island is hard to beat.

MAURITIUS MAURITIUS IS A TOURIST PARADISE: SMALL ENOUGH TO BE RELATIVELY TRANQUIL, YET LARGE ENOUGH TO ENSURE THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS TO DO AND SIGHTS TO SEE.

Situated off the coast of Africa it is easily accessible by boat and international flights. And, as we shall see, it offers plenty to explore both on and under the water.

But it is worth venturing inland before committing to a beachside break. Mauritius has some spectacular scenery, ranging from lowland sugar plantations to tall, forested mountains populated by a bewildering variety of rare creatures.

The east coast Forest of Ferney is a case in point. Covering 200 hectares and a variety of terrain, it also offers a unique opportunity to see rare birds that have been reintroduced to the area, such as the pink pigeon and the green parrot. There are also kestrels, tortoises, bats and a huge number of lizards which thrive due to the fact that the island’s remoteness means it has no terrestrial mammals.

Of course one could not come to a place like Mauritius and spend the entire time inland, and the island does not disappoint on the marine front. Mauritius has over 150km of golden beaches and despite being surrounded by thousands of kilometres of ocean, the island is protected from strong waves by a surrounding coral reef. That provides ideal conditions for watersports from diving to sailing.

Diving in particular can be spectacular, with reefs close to the shore providing an abundance of aquatic wildlife to enjoy, while wrecks such as the famed Silverstar, which sank in 1990, lie waiting to be explored. It’s recommended you ask for advice on currents before diving, as these can be strong in places. And should you ever tire of time on the water, the island is home to some spectacular golf courses, such as the Ernie Elsdesigned course sandwiched between the sea and the mountains.