Heron Island Resort

Reef snorkeling off the beach & easy to be off-grid at this eco-friendly resort with wonderfully helpful staff…what more could one want? Very highly recommended!

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.

Heton Island Resort was actually better than we expected. Most things were expensive an not a big choice. The highlight was the snorkelling and diving which was the best anywhere.

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!

We spent two days recently on Heron Island. The accommodation that we'd booked was a Superior Point Suite which was large and comfortable. The resort has a large indoor/outdoor bar area that very pleasant to sit and have a drink, and a large restaurant which is well laid out and offers a nice food and beverage selection. All the staff we came in contact with on the island were friendly and helpful, which is always nice to see. The fiery ride across was very choppy, but not quite as bad on the way back. The ferry crew were great though, and the ferry left and arrived on time which we were very happy about.

Heron Island is more than a destination — it’s a soul-stirring experience. The natural beauty is breathtaking, but it’s the people who make it unforgettable. The staff are warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely care, making you feel completely at home. The cuisine is world-class, with beautifully crafted dishes that surprise you with their quality and flavour in such a remote setting. Heron Island is real, raw, and deeply moving. It belongs on every bucket list, not just for what you see, but how it makes you feel.I don’t usually write reviews, but Heron Island genuinely moved me. It’s one of those rare places that touches your soul and leaves you feeling deeply connected to nature, to people, and to yourself.What made it so special wasn’t just the jaw-dropping beauty of the reef or the incredible marine life (though swimming alongside turtles is something I’ll never forget). It was the people. The staff on Heron Island are something else, friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and so proud of the place they work. Every encounter felt real and heartfelt. It didn’t matter whether we were chatting with the marine guides, the housekeeping team, or the waitstaff, everyone had a story, a smile, and a sense of care that made us feel completely at home, and then there’s the food. Wow. I honestly wasn’t expecting meals of that standard on such a remote island. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavour. Hats off to both the chefs and the front-of-house team, they’re delivering restaurant-quality experiences in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, which is no small feat. Dining here became something we genuinely looked forward to each day.Heron Island isn’t flashy or over-the-top. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s remarkable. You come for the nature, but you leave remembering the kindness, the connection, and that quiet sense of wonder that stays with you.If you’re looking for somewhere that nourishes your soul and reminds you what matters, Heron Island should be on your bucket list. I feel incredibly grateful to have experienced it, and I already know I’ll be back. Thank you for the life-changing experience. Yvens Ferraz de Camargo

Beautiful island experience while enjoying snorkeling the reef. Food is expensive.

Heron Island is renowned for its beautiful clear, turquoise water and the amount and density of marine and bird life. This was my fourth visit over a 25-year period. Before this visit, I read reviews that were highly critical of the food and staff so I wasn't sure what to expect. To my delight, the food was outstanding. They have a new chef and kudos to that chef. All the meals were beautifully prepared and presented. My favourites were the fruit platter and avocado toast with poached eggs for breakfast, the chef's beef burger for lunch (by FAR the best hamburger I've had in Australia where I've lived for the past 7 years) and all the chef specials for dinner. All staff were friendly and helpful. My room was clean - quite a feat considering the amount of sand I tracked in (even though I rinsed my feet off before entering). My only criticisms are that (1) the accomodations are in need of more upkeep in terms of painting and periodic refreshing and (2) the restaurant should provide basic real (non-instant) coffee for free. The only coffee available is the barista style and you do get charged for it. But these are minor criticisms compared to the sheer magic of this very special place.

expensive but worth it . The rooms haven't changed in over 10 years, our 5th visit and a bit disappointing to pay the exy tag for zero luxury . Comfy bed in the wistaria room , the staff over the resort were friendly and mainly helpful except a disappointing reception girl on one occasion . Ange stood out for her help, friendly banter and outgoing customer service . The resort old dated and relatively focused on overseas guests with minimal offerings on off season would be worth a reconsideration if your after variety or options for meals as we were pretty much faced with one restaurant and the prices and offerings are slim and extremely overpriced . Often little on offer if your after any fresh produce like fruit and vegetables... an example a side dish of carrots was $12 , potatoes $15 for fries , a side of roast spuds wth rosemary $12 . add that to a overcooked steak at $47 thats getting up there . Cocktails $25 .00 flat rate . the beaches still pristine , occupancy at our visit was very low whether it's due to the pricing or off season who knows . Pool desperately needs painting , rooms remodelling and towelling thin and ageing .

Beautiful island and incredible friendly employees. However, no one was around to ask questions. We weee told multiple times that things weren’t available because the resort only had 50 rooms books. It was very frustrating because we DID pay a lot to be there and to have services cut was unacceptable. We were told. We couldn’t take food or drinks, but food wasn’t available much of the time. Additionally, the resort is very run down and needs updates.