FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Great Barrier Reef
Where is the Great Barrier Reef?
Is the Great Barrier Reef dead?
No. The Great Barrier Reef is a large, diverse ecosystem full of corals and marine life. Our site is no exception to this and our crew will be happy to educate and inform you on everything Great Barrier Reef and coral health!
Will I see any bleached coral?
It is not common for corals to bleach in our snorkel area. Bleaching is a coral’s response to any kind of stress. Just as humans can get sick, so can individual corals. We will take you to the best possible location with lots of pristine, healthy coral on the day of your tour. Our staff are dedicated to answering any of your questions and informing you on the current state of the Great Barrier Reef.
Location
Why Visit Lady Musgrave Island?
Lady Musgrave Island is the most southern and ONLY island destination of the Bunker Group able to visit on the Great Barrier Reef. It is the closest access point from Brisbane to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, departing from Bundaberg for any day tour by vessel. Due to its remote location is also one of the more inaccessible areas of the Great Barrier Reef adding to the secluded beauty.
This unique coral island hosts a navigable Lagoon which provides the ultimate snorkelling and diving experience, but also provides the ultimate anchorage meaning that you are guaranteed calm waters all day within the lagoon itself.
Not only do you get to experience the reef and lagoon, you also get to visit the pristine island.
Where Is Lady Musgrave Island?
How Long Does It Take To Get To Lady Musgrave Island?
The trip to Lady Musgrave Island is approximately 2 hours 15 from the time we depart Bundaberg and reach the Island.
Where is the Great Barrier Reef? Isn’t the Great Barrier Reef located out of Cairns?
The Great Barrier Reef is a large marine park and ecosystem spanning 2,300km along the east coast of Queensland, Australia. Cairns is not the only place to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort and Lady Musgrave Experience are two of the southernmost islands. We believe the southern section is the most pristine and beautiful. Don’t take our word for it though, come and see for yourself!
Am I missing anything by choosing to come to the Southern Great Barrier Reef instead of Cairns or Whitsundays?
Certainly not! The reef is a large, diverse ecosystem covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometres. Every part of the reef will be different to another, however you certainly will not miss anything by deciding to come to the southern great barrier reef rather than Cairns. Although we are biased, we believe ours is the best experience on the whole Great Barrier Reef. If you have the possibility, we recommend visiting many different locations on the Great Barrier Reef and you can see for yourself! Our crew can give you lots of recommendations for the best locations and operators.
Bookings
How Do I Make A Booking?
Please read our Terms & Conditions prior to making a booking.
BOOK ACCOMMODATION ON LADY MUSGRAVE HQ HERE
Speak to our team on 07 4151 5225 or bookings@ladymusgraveexperience.com.au
Can I Change The Date Of My Cruise?
Yes, pending availability. Please contact our team on 07 4151 5225 or bookings@ladymusgraveexperience.com.au.
We require a minimum of 48 hours notice to action these changes.
How Do I Make A Booking Cancellation?
If you would like to make a booking cancellation, please contact our team on 07 4151 5225 or bookings@ladymusgraveexperience.com.au.
For day tours, cancellation fees apply within 48 hours of travel date.
For accommodation, cancellation fees apply within 7 days prior to travel date.
Can I use a credit card on board for purchases?
Yes. Please bring cash or bank card to purchase goods from our kiosk onboard. Please note that contactless transactions cannot be processed using smartphones and smart watches whilst the vessel is in out of reception areas. You will need to bring a physical credit/debit card or cash to make purchases throughout the tour.
Surcharges apply to all purchases made by card.
Do you offer any discounts for schools or large groups?
We pride ourselves on providing a truly educational and inspiring experience, and our tour is perfect for school groups.
Click here to view our School Excursion Offer.
Please contact our bookings team with your enquiry for more details.
Are there any babysitting options available?
All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times whilst on board. Our day tour does not offer any babysitting services, however the day can be organised and adapted to suit families with children, ensuring everyone gets the most out of their day! Chat to our crew about your options and we will do everything we can to accommodate your needs.
Completing Waivers
Please ensure you have made a booking prior to completing this waiver form.
For all bookings, please CLICK HERE
Transport
How do I get to the marina?
Bundaberg Port Marina is located at Burnett Heads, approximately 20 minutes north east of Bundaberg. You can self-drive and enjoy free parking in the gravel ‘Vessel Departure’ car park, reserve a taxi (132 227) or an Uber.
Is there parking available at the marina?
Yes, free parking is available in our designated car-park. Please park in our free car parking, which is located behind a large sign – “The Home of Lady Musgrave Experience” in a gravel car park. Please do not park in the Marina car park, as this is a shared car-park with other businesses. We do have street signage to direct you to our car-parking area.
How Long Does It Take To Get To Lady Musgrave Island?
The trip to Lady Musgrave Island is approximately 2 hours 15 from the time we depart Bundaberg and reach the Island.
Safety
What Is The Minimum Age To Scuba Dive?
You must be over 12 years of age, pass the required medical questionnaire and participate in the 30 minute dive introduction.
What safety measures are in place for snorkelling?
We have a large range of snorkel vests and pool noodles for flotation. Our in-water snorkel guides are only too happy to help for any assistance and instruction, and we have snorkel lookouts on the deck to watch in-water guests. Please note due to safety guidelines we do not allow weight belts to be worn.
Do You Sell Sunscreen?
Yes, We sell Reef Safe Sunscreen 50 plus, along with caps and towels.
Will I Get Sea Sick?
As travel to Lady Musgrave Island is an open ocean passage, we strongly recommend that all passengers take sea-sickness medication as a precaution. Suggestions to help with sea-sickness, is to take a sea-sickness tablet the night prior to travel, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol & take another sea-sickness tablet the morning of your tour date. We do also have sea-sickness tablets for sale on board.
Will I see sharks? Are they dangerous?
You may be lucky enough to see some small reef sharks in their natural habitat during your experience on the Great Barrier Reef. As we operate within a marine park protected green no-take zone and fishing is prohibited, this means that the sharks have plenty to eat and do not pose a threat to humans. Sharks, however, are wild animals and it is important that we respect this. The calmer you swim, the more calm and peaceful all of the marine life will also behave. Many marine creatures have defense strategies if they feel threatened, so we encourage guests not to touch or chase sharks. It is also important to be aware that throwing any waste overboard is prohibited – even if it is organic. We certainly don’t want sharks to start learning that things falling from the side of a boat is food! Leave them alone and they will leave you alone too! Please help us to minimise our impact on shark behaviour as much as possible. Watch this short video to learn how you can Be Reef Smart.
Are there jellyfish?
In an open ocean environment, we cannot guarantee there will be no jellyfish, however we have never had any harmful stingers, and do not experience a “stinger season” (as is the case further north). The sheltered lagoon prevents large jellyfish blooms in the snorkel area. For guest comfort, wetsuits are available for hire.
Can I wear sunscreen when going snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef?
Most sunscreens contain harmful chemicals to coral reefs and their associated animals. We recommend our guests be sun smart by using alternatives such as natural zincs, seeking shade in the hottest parts of the day and wearing sun protection factor clothing both in and out of the water.
Accessibility
Accessibility?
Lady Musgrave Experience, Lady Musgrave HQ and Australia Whale Experience are committed to consulting people with disability, their families, carers and disability organisations to ensure barriers to access and inclusion are addressed appropriately. We have developed strategies to progressively improve access and inclusions. All staff are inducted and advised according to our strategic accessibility plan. Lady Musgrave Island is accessible via all terrain wheelchairs. Our team are currently looking at adaption strategies to increase wheelchair accessibility and are consulting with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services in regards to having portable wheelchair accessibility matting available on Lady Musgrave Island.
Our vessel is wheelchair accessible and our friendly crew are always available and willing to offer assistance where required. There is disable bathroom facilities onboard both Reef Empress and Lady Musgrave HQ Pontoon. Our glass bottom boat can accommodate wheelchairs as well as our main vessel. Guided Island tours are possible for those with suitable all terrain wheelchairs for travel on sandy surfaces. Plans are in place to increase this accessibility utilizing portable beach matting.
Cleaning Procedures
How often does the boat get clean?
Everyday! Throughout the day our crew perform regular checks around the vessel to maintain the cleanliness of Reef Empress. At the end of every day the crew adhere to a strict cleaning schedule inside and out of vesseling using commercial grade disinfectant. Everything from the floors, windows, rails and roof is thoroughly cleaned.
Cleaning Procedures Video
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Lady Musgrave Experience is committed to keeping your details private. We do not pass on any of your personal details with anyone else. The only exception to this is in the event of an emergency when your details may be passed onto the relevant Australian government bodies where necessary.
We use the information collected to identify your booking and to contact you in the event of cruise cancellations or rescheduling. Your contact details may also be used for some direct marketing unless you choose not to receive this information.
Online booking Credit Card details are taken via the Rezdy secure online payment system and are not stored by Lady Musgrave Experience. Please see https://www.rezdy.com/privacy-policy/ for more information.
If you have any questions relating to your privacy please do not hesitate to contact us info@ladymusgraveexperience.com.au
Weather Conditions
All tours are subject to weather and minimum numbers and may be changed without notice due to conditions on the day. Lady Musgrave Experience reserves the right to substitute vessels if necessary.
Should a tour be cancelled by Lady Musgrave Experience you may choose to have your booking:
– Rescheduled
– Placed on hold for future use up to 3 years
– Full refund if booked and paid direct. Please allow 3-10 business days for refund to be received into your account.
We do recommend taking out travel insurance to assist in covering your accommodation costs or fees incurred if tours are cancelled.
Travel Insurance
We do recommend you look into taking out travel insurance as they may assist in covering your accommodation cost if tours are cancelled.
Diving
Adventure Outer Reef dive vessel is subject to minimum numbers. If minimum numbers aren’t reached, you will be contacted to discuss options, one of which would be to revert to a certified Lagoon Dive.
Refunds
** Refunds will be processed same day as request & depending on your bank, can take between 3-10 business days for refund to be received into your account. Lady Musgrave Experience will send through confirmation of refund at time of processing.
Disclaimer
Lady Musgrave Experience holds no responsibility for loss or damage to goods.
Lady Musgrave Experience reserves the right to substitute vessels and/or skippers and crew and shall not be liable for death/injury to any persons or loss or damage to property due to persons’ negligence.