Lady Elliot Island Freediving & Underwater Photography Expedition 2025 – Trip Recap and Highlights

Curtis Tredway
8 hours ago
3 min read

Aerial photography by Elin Frankenberg

There’s a reason Lady Elliot Island is known as one of Australia’s best diving locations. It’s not just the crystal-clear visibility or the sheer abundance of marine life, just metres from the shore - it’s the feeling of being completely disconnected from the mainland and everyday life.

This September, we spent an unforgettable week on Lady Elliot Island with seven ocean-loving women from across Australia. The trip was all-inclusive, from incredible gourmet buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to daily diving, photography workshops, and sunset hangs on the beach.

The Island Vibes

Image by @oceandreamer.hollie

From the moment we landed, the island’s energy hit us - a bird sanctuary teeming with life, and the constant chatter of seabirds overhead. One of our guests even got pooped on by a bird, and that same day turned out to be our luckiest dive session ever - we swam with 6 humpback whales and a tiger shark! (Apparently that old superstition is true)

Magic Moments

Image by @curtistredway

We had six humpback whales and a tiger shark come right up to our freediving line. The entire session was filled with spotted eagle rays gliding past, curious turtles, and reef sharks cruising in the blue. We had 2 feeding mantarays all to ourselves. For many, it was their first time seeing these animals up close - a bucket list moment that will be hard to top.

Throughout the week, we mixed snorkelling and fun dives with line training and photography workshops run by Curtis Tredway, helping guests capture and edit their best underwater shots. A few participants completed their Beginner Freediver course, while others celebrated personal bests with relaxed, confident dives.

Evenings were spent laughing over dinner, watching sunsets, and playing games - the kind of connection and community that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it.

Marine Life Encounters

Image by @curtistredway

Over the week, we saw:

Humpback whales (including in-water encounters)
A tiger shark - it swam by inquisitvely whilst we were line diving.
Manta rays
White-tip, black-tip, and silver reef sharks
Spotted eagle rays
Green sea and hawksbill turtles
Sea snakes
White-spotted wedgefish (a rare and incredible sight)
Giant trevally
Nemo (of course) and countless vibrant reef fish

Looking Ahead: Lady Elliot Island 2026

This trip reminded us why we love running these expeditions - incredible marine life, a beautiful crew, and core memories that stick with you long after you’ve left the island.

We’ll be heading back to Lady Elliot Island in September 2026 for another round of freediving, photography, and ocean adventure. Spaces are limited and this trip always sells out early - if you’re dreaming of diving with mantas, whales, and turtles in one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most pristine sanctuaries, now’s your chance.

👉 Secure your spot early with a $500 deposit and join us for the next unforgettable adventure.

Why Lady Elliot Island Is So Popular

Image by @oceandreamer.hollie

Lady Elliot Island is truly a diver’s dream. What makes it so special is how accessible it is - you don’t need to spend hours on boats or deal with long surface intervals between dives. You can literally walk out from your cabin, put on your mask and fins, and be surrounded by coral gardens and marine life within minutes. Then after your dive you return to a gourmet buffet waiting for you to endulge on.

All the best stuff is right there, just metres from the shore. The reef drops off gradually, creating perfect freediving conditions with calm water and gentle currents. You can see manta rays cruising past, turtles grazing, and reef sharks gliding over coral bommies -- all in less than 8 metres of water.

It’s the kind of place where you can do multiple dives a day without even thinking about logistics. Whether you’re shooting photos, training, or just exploring, every entry feels effortless and every session delivers something new. It’s the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation — world-class diving without the hassle.

Some of the magic from our 2025 Lady Elliot Island Freediving Expedition