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Clam Gardens

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Located within Watsons Bay in the Lizard Island National Park are the fabulous Clam Gardens. This is the national parks most popular location for snorkelling.

Giant clams (Tridacna gigas) up to 2m in length, live amongst a picturesque array of hard and soft corals. Corals in these shallow, sheltered waters form a layered mosaic with many delicate branching and leaf-like colonies in patches interspersed with areas of clean sand.

Giant Clam
© Jan Derk

Details

Please Note: *The best time to snorkel is during high tide, accessing the reef from the shore at the southern end of the beach in front of the track leading to Watsons Cottage *Be aware of wind and currents at your chosen location and, if in doubt of safety, ask at the Resort Watersports Centre for safe locations on the day *Avoid snorkelling at low tide as corals are exposed, making snorkelling difficult. Avoid kicking, standing on or touching corals as they are easily damaged and try to avoid stirring up sand with your fins as it can smother corals and other reef animals *Always cover up to avoid sunburn as you float above the coral reefs and avoid touching any animals as some can be harmful
Special Features: *The Lizard Island Research Station is dedicated to supporting research into all aspects of the Great Barrier Reef. It is located on the western side of the island adjacent to the Blue Lagoon. Free guided tours of the research station are available to visitors at certain times. Contact the research station for tour times