Guests staying on Queensland’s Lizard Island will now have the option see the Island and its surrounds in style following the decision to base two helicopters, operated by Skysafari Australia, on the island.

The helicopters, a four-seater Robinson 44 helicopter and the five-seater Robinson 66 helicopter – nicknamed the sports cars of helicopters – will operate a range of transfers and scenic tours each day taking advantage of Lizard Island’s enviable location on the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Scenic flights from Lizard Island will fly approximately 500ft to 1500ft above sea level presenting an amazing aerial perspective of the Great Barrier Reef.

From 500ft it is possible to see a large number and variety of marine and mainland wildlife – everything from sharks, manta rays and turtles to dugong, whales and crocodiles, wallabies, sea eagles and wild boar on the coast. All flights will require a minimum of two passengers to travel.

Three flights have been specially created to make the most of Lizard’s surroundings.The 20-minute Lizard Island ‘Photographer Flight’ will soar over the Blue Lagoon, taking in Palfrey and South Island, then head beyond Cooks Look to reveal Lizard’s 24 white sand beaches – all with the option of having the doors off. The Great Barrier Reef trip allows guests to venture above the world’s largest living organism to see its wild marine creatures on this true sky safari. They will enjoy a rare view of the cobalt blue waters contrasting the spectacular Ribbon Reefs along the continental shelf. The 60-minute Reef and Coast trip is the ultimate Far North Queensland experience and offers views of wildly abundant coastline, unique freshwater lagoons and endless white dunes as they contrast the pristine islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Five Lizard Island day tours also have been created offering the scenic flight experience with additional landings at other, sometimes remote, destinations including a fishing excursion to exclusive remote tropical north Queensland barramundi locations. Additional tours include golfing, aboriginal expereince tours and much more.

“It is such a privilege to be located right on the Great Barrier Reef here at Lizard Island, so we are thrilled that we can now not only offer our guests a truly remarkable underwater experience but also offer them stunning aerial views as well,”  said Lizard Island general manager Robyn Pontynen.