
Heart Island is a luxurious pontoon located in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is situated near the naturally formed heart-shaped Heart Reef, which is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Great Barrier Reef. Heart Island is reachable via helicopter from Hamilton Island and offers a unique experience with its cantilevered windows showcasing the extraordinarily coloured water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Heart Island |
| Location | Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia |
| Nearby | Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Coast Airport |
| Distance from Hamilton Island | 60km (or 70.9km according to another source) |
| Diameter | Less than 30m (or 17m according to another source) |
| Features | Lounge area, speedboat, glass-bottom boat, Windward pavilion, plunge pool |
| Accessibility | Reached by helicopter or seaplane |
| Activities | Swimming, snorkelling, sailing, cruising, scuba diving |
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What You'll Learn

Heart Island is a pontoon near Heart Reef
Heart Island is a pontoon located near Heart Reef, a famed and naturally heart-shaped coral reef in the Great Barrier Reef. Measuring less than 30 metres in diameter, Heart Reef is a coral bommie situated around 60 kilometres northeast of Hamilton Island. Heart Island, the new luxe pontoon, is reachable via a private helicopter that carries only six guests at a time. The helicopter ride starts at Hamilton Island and cruises over the Whitsundays, offering a bird's-eye view of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet before arriving at Heart Island.
Upon arrival, travellers get 90 minutes to explore the area. While diving and snorkelling on the reef are prohibited, a small glass-bottom boat tours the heart-shaped reef, and the neighbouring lagoon's crystal-clear waters offer plenty of coral to explore. This three-hour excursion provides prime access to an area that was previously off-limits, with its location in the nearby Hardy Lagoon serving as an ideal starting point for discovering the region, both underwater and above.
Heart Reef was discovered in 1975 by a local pilot and has since become an internationally recognised attraction of the Whitsundays. It is a stunning natural composition of coral, featuring on many postcards and brochures promoting the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. The heart-shaped reef has been the site of numerous proposals and declarations of love, with many couples choosing to make their romantic gestures during a scenic flight over this iconic landmark.
Until recently, a fly-over was the only way to catch a glimpse of Heart Reef. However, travellers can now swim above the reef and explore the surrounding area through the new Heart Island pontoon experience. This excursion provides a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the heart-shaped reef, offering both underwater and above-water exploration.
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Heart Reef is a heart-shaped coral formation
Heart Reef is a stunning, heart-shaped coral formation located in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. This natural wonder was discovered in 1975 by a local Whitsunday pilot, John Ramsden, and has since become an internationally recognised attraction. Measuring approximately 17 to 30 metres in diameter, Heart Reef is situated in the Hardy Reef, about 60 to 70 kilometres from Hamilton Island.
Until recently, the only way to view this breathtaking reef was from the air, with scenic flights and helicopter tours offering a bird's-eye view of its unique shape and vibrant surroundings. However, now day-trippers can access the area via a luxury pontoon called Heart Island, located in the nearby Hardy Lagoon. This new experience allows visitors to explore the reef both underwater and above, with small glass-bottom boat tours offering a unique perspective of the heart-shaped coral.
The Whitsunday Islands, where Heart Reef is located, are renowned for their pristine beaches and idyllic tropical landscapes. One of the most popular ways to explore the area is through sailing trips or luxury cruise ships, which offer a relaxing and serene journey through the azure waters. Along the way, visitors can discover secluded beaches, hidden coves, and captivating islands, each offering its unique allure.
Heart Reef is not only a picturesque destination but also one of the most romantic spots in the world. Over the years, it has been the site of many proposals and declarations of love, with its heart-shaped formation providing the perfect backdrop for memorable experiences. Whether viewed from above or up close, Heart Reef is a stunning natural wonder that leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.
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It is located in the Great Barrier Reef
Heart Island is located in the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most famous natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Heart Reef, as it is also known, is situated in the Whitsundays, a collection of continental islands that form part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Queensland, Australia.
The Heart Reef is a stunning natural composition of coral, perfectly formed in the shape of a heart. This iconic coral bommie was discovered in 1975 by a local Whitsunday pilot, John Ramsden, and has since become an internationally recognised attraction and one of the most photographed spots on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Heart Reef is located in Hardy Reef, part of the Whitsundays stretch of the Great Barrier Reef. It spans less than 30 metres in diameter, with some sources stating a more specific measurement of 17 metres. Due to its small size and fragile coral ecosystem, diving and snorkelling are prohibited at the reef itself. However, a small glass-bottom boat tours around the heart, offering a unique perspective of the vibrant coral formations below.
Heart Island is a luxurious pontoon located near the Heart Reef in Hardy Lagoon. Accessible only by private helicopter, the exclusive experience offers a prime jumping-off point to explore the area, both underwater and above. The roof of the Heart Island lounge area doubles as a helipad, and the cantilevered windows showcase the extraordinarily coloured waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Heart Island experience is available to guests staying at Hamilton Island, with the option to indulge in the premier resort, qualia. This award-winning retreat promises a celebrity-worthy escape, with sleekly appointed pavilions featuring eggshell bathtubs and private balcony plunge pools.
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It was discovered in 1975 by a pilot
Heart Reef, a stunning natural composition of coral in the perfect shape of a heart, was discovered in 1975 by a local pilot, John Ramsden, who spotted the unique heart-shaped formation during a flight. This incredible coral formation is now an internationally recognised attraction of the Whitsundays, featuring on many postcards and brochures promoting the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. It is located in Hardy Reef, part of the Whitsundays stretch of the Great Barrier Reef.
Until recently, a fly-over was the only way to catch a glimpse of the naturally heart-shaped attraction. However, Heart Island, a luxe pontoon located near Hardy Lagoon, now provides prime access to the area. The three-hour excursion begins with a 30-minute helicopter ride that departs from Hamilton Island and cruises over the Whitsundays. Upon landing, travellers have 90 minutes to look around, and while diving and snorkelling on the reef itself remain prohibited, a small glass-bottom boat tours around the heart, offering a unique perspective.
The Heart Island experience is available to all guests staying at Hamilton Island. The roof of Heart Island doubles as a helipad, and the lounge area features cantilevered windows that showcase the extraordinarily coloured water. After disembarking the helicopter, travellers can clamber into a speedboat, which offers an intimate viewing of the area, including the heart-shaped star of the show.
Heart Reef is situated about 70.9 km from Hamilton Island, 48.3 km from Hayman Island, and 78 km from Airlie Beach. It is easily accessible by scenic flight for those looking to see it from above. Helicopter and seaplane tours offer breathtaking views of the reef and its surrounding wonders. Sailing trips around the Whitsunday Islands are also a remarkable way to explore Heart Reef, offering serenity and unforgettable vistas.
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You can reach Heart Island via helicopter
Heart Island is a luxurious pontoon located in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. It is situated 60 kilometres northeast of Hamilton Island, which is the usual jumping-off point for those visiting Heart Island. The Heart Island experience is available to all guests staying at Hamilton Island. However, the only way to reach Heart Island itself is via helicopter.
The helicopter ride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering breathtaking views of the Whitsundays, including Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. The three-hour excursion includes a 30-minute helicopter ride from Hamilton Island, with departures also available from Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Coast Airport. The helicopter lands on the roof of Heart Island, which doubles as a helipad. From there, you can descend to the lounge area, where you can relax and take in the extraordinary views of the coloured water and surrounding coral.
After enjoying the lounge, you can board a waiting speedboat for an intimate viewing of the area. The boat tour includes a circle around the heart-shaped star of the show—Heart Reef—followed by an extended tour of the area's coral. A glass viewing panel in the boat's base allows you to see the underwater world as you glide above it. In addition to the boat tour, you are free to explore the area through diving and snorkelling, although these activities are prohibited on the reef itself to protect the fragile coral ecosystem.
The Heart Island experience is the ultimate indulgence for those seeking a luxurious and exclusive escape. With its sleek design, intimate setting, and incredible views, it offers a unique and unforgettable way to experience the Great Barrier Reef.
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Frequently asked questions
Heart Island is a pontoon located in the Hardy Lagoon, near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Heart Island is reachable via a private helicopter ride from Hamilton Island.
At Heart Island, you can take in the views of the extraordinarily coloured water from the lounge area. You can also take a speedboat tour of the area, including the heart-shaped Heart Reef.
Heart Reef is a coral formation that is naturally shaped like a heart. It is located in the Whitsunday Islands, which are a part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Queensland, Australia.


































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