Frankland Islands - Great Barrier Reef

Frankland Islands Humpbacks
Friday, July 31, 2009

Humpback showing off her baby beside the Semi-sub!!! And then decided to have a look at the Coral Garden!!

The Frankland Island group is a unique Great Barrier Reef experience. This is the only tour to visit Normanby Island daily, so you will not be surrounded by large crowds. It is a true island escape!

Cruise the pristine Mulgrave River with its mangrove fringed banks and mountainous rainforest backdrop. On leaving the estuary at Russell Heads, the Great Barrier Reef is already in sight, making it the shortest open sea crossing in North Queensland. The Frankland Islands are a unique Great Barrier Reef experience.

Your destination Normanby island is a National Park part coral cay, part continental island with a healthy and vibrant surrounding coral reef community.

Posted By Frankland Islands

Manta Rays are Back!!!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Hey Guys,

Pia and the crew have been frolicking with the Manta Rays for the last couple of days.

They visit the island annually to feed (and perhaps take advantage of the honesty system provided for the two-legged day visitors!).  According to local Marine Biologists, the Frankland Islands is one of the only known locations at which this pilgrimage occurs.

The Manta Ray is the next largest marine species on the Great Barrier Reef following the whales and the whale sharks.  They grow to 5 metres in width and weigh several hundred kgs. They are a not-to-be-forgotten experience for any snorkeller or diver who is fortunate enough to see one while underwater.  Manta Rays prefer waters in contact with coastal or reef/island features.  The graceful movement of their wings as they move effortlessly through the water if accompanied by a piece from Swan Lake would rival any dance recital.

Have a great day!

Frankland Islands Crew

Posted By Frankland Islands

Update on conditions
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Just an update on the beautiful conditions we are experiencing out at the Frankland Islands.

In terms of visibility, yesterday was in the top 10 days that one of our skippers has experienced out there. We didn't even need to use the semi-sub, you could make out all the coral and fish life from the surface.

The water is warming up and so is the fish activity. Vast schools of grazing herbivores, including parrotfish and rabbit fish, patrol the sea floor in search of leafy algae. The larger reef species such as sweetlips, moray eels and coral trout are hanging out at the larger bommies ambushing prey. Our Eye On The Reef program has also reported regular sightings in excess of 6 marine turtles on some snorkel tours with Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles accounting for most of the sightings.

The island itself is a buzz of activity with our nesting migratory birds returning to the island with the warmer weather. The cooing of the Imperial Pied Pigeons can be heard and the birds themselves sighted during our guided island walk. Black-naped Terns are returning also to the rocky ledges and sand spits while the resident majestic white breasted sea eagle soars overhead.

Have a sensational day!

Posted By Rhys - Frankland Islands Marine Biologist