If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping straight into a postcard — white sands, turquoise lagoon, turtles gliding past like they own the place — then buckle up. Because that postcard exists, and 1770 Reef is your ticket.
Just wander down to the 1770 Marina and look for the smiling crew who spend their days doing what most of us only fantasise about: cruising to Lady Musgrave Island and sharing the Southern Great Barrier Reef with lucky travellers from all over the world.
Visiting Lady Musgrave while you’re here in Agnes Water or 1770? It’s an absolute must-do. Seriously — you’ll want to tell everyone back home about it.
And the best bit? They’ve been doing it as a family-run, eco-loving, reef-obsessed operation since 2016 — carrying forward a proud local legacy that goes all the way back to 1985.
1770 Reef isn’t just a tour company — it’s a family affair with decades of local roots.
The Mergard family first arrived at the 1770 Marina in 1985 with their fishing charter boat, The James Cook, becoming the area’s first charter operation.
Fast forward to today, and the next generation has taken the helm, sharing the reef they grew up with, love fiercely, and protect passionately.
Approaching their 10-year anniversary in 2026, 1770 Reef remains local, sustainable, and personal — giving visitors a front-row seat to one of the world’s most pristine reef systems.
So… What’s the Big Deal About Lady Musgrave?
Oh, just a crystal-clear coral lagoon, an island filled with nesting seabirds, snorkelling that feels like swimming inside a nature documentary, and turtles everywhere you look. No biggie. Just paradise.
One of the most beautiful and unique features? Lady Musgrave Island is shaped like a heart. That’s right, a perfect little heart floating in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. It’s impossible not to smile when you see it from above, and it makes every snorkel, swim, and photo feel just a little more magical.
Every day, Manager Anaca and the crew get to watch people experience it all for the first time — turtles cruising by, coral gardens sparkling, and the kind of water clarity that makes you suspect someone turned the saturation all the way up.
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” Anaca says. “Helping people connect with nature — and seeing them fall in love with the reef — keeps us going.”
One thing that sets 1770 Reef apart? They genuinely want everyone to experience the reef comfortably and safely. Travellers with reduced mobility or vision impairments aren’t just welcomed — they’re supported. The crew offers slim-line life jackets, pool noodles, and extra one-on-one assistance for anyone who needs a little confidence boost in the water.
Because nature shouldn’t be exclusive — and the team lives by that.
Being a family business means they do things a little differently. They protect the environment they rely on, take time with their guests, stick to eco-certified operations, and run tours with that warm, homegrown Discovery Coast feel.
It’s quality over quantity. Connection over crowds. Magic over mayhem.
“Come for the Reef. Leave With a Memory.”
That’s the unofficial motto around here — and honestly, it fits. Guests leave 1770 Reef with stories they’ll tell for life: snorkelling beside turtles in a natural lagoon, stepping onto an unspoilt coral cay, meeting colourful characters above and below the water, and learning why the reef matters — and why Lady Musgrave is one of the healthiest, most heart-shaped parts of the entire system.
It’s a tour, sure… but it’s also a reminder of how breathtakingly beautiful Queensland really is.
Planning Your Own Reef Day Out?
Here’s your sign. Your nudge. Your “just do it” moment. Whether you’re travelling through Agnes Water & 1770 and trying to find things to do, staying for a while, or coming back for your annual reef fix, a day with 1770 Reef is an absolute must-do.
Because some things in life are good. But the Great Barrier Reef? That’s unforgettable.
This blog post has been repurposed from the original editorial published in The Coastal Rag, Issue #1281, on 15 November 2025. It first appeared as part of the Discovery Coast Tourism & Commerce Member Spotlight, written by Annie Backhaus. Sharing this story here is part of DCTC’s ongoing member benefit.