Meet the site
Mermaid Cove is a sheltered cove on Lizard Island, visited on the resort's shared local reef tours. The resort describes an abundance of marine life, from cuttlefish to swarms of fusiliers, and many bommies with a variety of hard and soft corals. It is a boat-access site, closer to the island than the outer reefs. The cove's shelter means calm water and good conditions for snorkelling and shallow diving. Bommies – coral outcrops – rise from the sandy floor, each covered in hard and soft corals and hosting its own community of fish. Fusiliers swarm in the water column, cuttlefish hover near the bommies, and reef fish of all kinds shelter in the coral. Turtles are common around Lizard Island and may be seen here too. The site suits snorkellers and divers of all levels. It is part of the resort's local reef tours, alongside other island sites such as Nigel's Bommie and Turtle Beach, and guides select sites based on conditions and guests' interests. Mermaid Cove is named on Lizard Island maps on the island's north-western coast; its exact coordinates are not published by the resort, so none are given here. Depths are not published; the site is shallow, with bommies probably extending to around 10–12 m. For guests at Lizard Island Resort, Mermaid Cove is an easy, rewarding reef experience close to home, ideal for a half-day outing or as an introduction before heading to the outer reefs. Non-guests visiting by yacht can anchor nearby and snorkel it, observing Green zone rules.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Mermaid Cove (Lizard Island) is recorded as Reef in Ribbon Reefs & Lizard Island. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Mermaid Cove (Lizard Island) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Mermaid Cove (Lizard Island) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Cuttlefish, fusiliers (swarms), turtles, reef fish, hard and soft corals on bommies
Location
A sheltered cove on Lizard Island reached by resort boat, with bommies, cuttlefish and swarms of fusiliers.
Facilities nearby
Lizard Island Resort (guests only) – dive centre, gear hire, air fills; Queensland Parks camping ground at Watsons Bay with toilets, picnic tables and a hand-pumped freshwater supply; no shop or fuel for visitors.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
lizardisland.com.aulizardisland.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.