My husband and I will be in Australia at the Great Barrier Reef in January of 2015. We would like a nice resort from which we can walk right into the water and snorkel. We are thinking we would prefer to be on one of the islands rather than on the coast. We would like great water and beach, air conditioning, and good food- Not so interested in night life or party atmosphere. Any suggestions?

The reef stretches a long way, which part are you flying to?

At the top end near Cairns, the islands directly on the reef are Green Island and Lizard Island. Lizard is very expensive but apparently is the only island with really good food.

At the lower end of the reef near Gladstone there's Heron Island, Wilson Island and Lady Eliot. I've only been to Heron and Green Islands. I'd highly recommend Heron. The food, however, is not great, it's sometimes very good, but variable from day to day. Lunch and breakfast are buffets so there's usually something you will like. It tends to be fairly bland. The a la carte dinner menu is quite good, but by Australian standards nothing out of the ordinary.

The rooms don't have air-conditioning, unless you book the high end accommodation. There are ceiling fans, which I found perfectly adequate even in high summer. If you book a reef room (the second least expensive the rooms face the water so there's usually an evening breeze.

Susan7,
Right now we are planning to fly into cairns from Brisbane, but we can change that if needed. If we do Heron Island, we won't need to go all the way to cairns.
Thanks for your help!

Been to Heron Island several times, though not since 2001. One of my favorite places. The resort has changed hands a few times over the years. "Back in the day" the food was very good. Curious as to what it's like now. Guess Trip Advisor would know.

I went two years ago so my comments are from then. It's still an amazing place to visit, but the heyday I think for food was when it was owned by P & O.

I've been to both Heron Island and Lizard Island - but not in over 10 years.

When I went, the food on Heron was wonderful - I'm sorry to hear it's not so great anymore. Even if the food isn't great - I'd still go back for the amazing wildlife experience! Giant turtles swimming ashore on a moonlit night, and then laying their eggs is something I'll never forget!

Lizard Island was also a great experience - but in a different way. The food was fabulous! Each day we picked a different private beach to go to by boat. A great picnic lunch was packed for us to take along. We had one candle light dinner under a tent on the beach - very romantic and fun. Snorkeling was pretty good, but there wasn't the rest of the wildlife we experienced on Heron.

I think both resorts were owned by P&O when I was there.

have you thought about the whitsundays. I'm going to Cairns soon for a wedding and one of the bridesmaids is going to Hamilton Island, Whitehaven beach there looks amazing.