Heron Island Eco Resort
10th-15th February 2026
5 nights / 6 days
Photography, Videography, Editing, & Marine Education
Inclusive of ferry from Gladstone, accommodation, snorkel gear hire and ocean activities
Starting from AUD $2,249
AUD $1,000 deposit to secure space
Expert photography guidance from professional wildlife photographer Ross Long - Obtain all of my creative knowledge that I've gained over the course of my career
Reef and wildlife guide - Ross has photographed Lady Elliot Island more than any other destination - I understand the tides, currents, reefs and conditions
Education and awareness from on-site marine biologists - learn all about our marine interactions
Access to prime photography locations at sunrise and sunset
Access to prime photography locations at sunrise and sunset
Breakfast, dinner, accommodation and flights (from Bundaberg/Hervey Bay) included
From December to May each year, the sands of the dunes come alive as green turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests and embark on a remarkable journey to the ocean—a race for survival that’s as awe-inspiring as it is fleeting.
Join professional wildlife photographer Ross Long for an intimate retreat to Heron Island, a world class destination for anyone interested in exploring the wonders of the underwater world. With average visibility of 20m and average water temperatures of 28 degrees, this island retreat is the perfect location to enhance your photography and videography skills.
The crystal-clear waters surrounding the island offer ideal conditions for snorkellers at all levels. The excellent visibility and various depths means that there is variety for all levels. Don't have an underwater camera? That's okay, I have a range of action cameras that you are welcome to use.
I’ll be leading an exclusive workshop for a small group of four, offering a unique opportunity to learn how to capture these incredible moments both on land and underwater. Designed for those seeking a deeper connection with nature, this intimate experience allows for personalised guidance and hands-on instruction.
Whether you’re a professional photographer or a beginner looking to learn a new skill, Heron Island offers an unforgettable experience where you will learn, make new friends and encounter moments that will change your life.
This is what you can expect from my Heron Island Photography Retreat
There will be group and individual tuition session. I will sit with you to help assist and answer any questions you may have
You don't need to worry about a thing. I have created a schedule that will make the most of the time that we have on the island to maximise your experience
Heron Island is a pristine marine sanctuary, here I can personally guarantee that you will witness more marine life than ever before
We limit the size of my workshop to five people so that we can provide an intimate experience. Learn with like minded people and make new friends.
Ferry from Gladstone and back is included, all accommodation and ocean activities.
This workshop caters for all levels from those with absolutely no experience in the water to those that are avid underwater photographers. Maybe you're an aspiring wildlife photographer and wanting to improve your photography, this photography retreat will provide you with the knowledge to become better equipped and more comfortable at using your camera. Or perhaps you're already comfortable with your camera and just want to improve your skills. Or perhaps you don't even have an underwater camera and want to borrow an acition camera from me to see how it feels to become an underwater photographer.
This immersive experience does not focus only on camera settings. It will provide you with practical mindset techniques to help you anticipate and maintain patience that are essential in capturing breathtaking wildlife photography. You will also learn all about the marine life we encounter. There will be editing sessions too so you can get better at editing your photos and videos.
Any camera or action camera is suitable for this photography retreat. If you do not have an underwater camera, I have a GoPro, Insta 360 and Joby SeaPal for phones that can be borrowed. Included in the trip is snorkel hire. It is recommended however that you bring your own swimwear, wetsuits, rashies or wetsuit tops.
There are a huge range of animals that we will encounter on Heron Island, this includes a large diversity of ray life including Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Cow Tail Rays, White & Black Tip Reef Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Turtles, Octopus, Leopard Sharks, Tawny Nurse Sharks and much much more.
I have created an itinerary so you don't need to worry about a thing.
Arrive into paradise and feel the energy shift as you step foot off the boat on to Heron Island. After check-in and a light lunch, we’ll kick off with a welcome session introducing the island’s vibrant ecosystem, our photography goals, and essential gear prep. As golden hour approaches, we’ll head onto the beach for our first hatchling shoot and then enjoy a peaceful sunset over the coral cay to ease into the creative flow.
Start the day snorkeling over vibrant reef at sunrise, learning how to compose striking wide-angle reefscapes and harness ambient light. In the afternoon, dive or snorkel with turtles and rays as we refine techniques for capturing scale, depth, and the vibrant life of the reef. Expect close encounters and big ocean energy. Later in the evening we will walk the beach looking for hatchlings.
This morning is all about turtles. We’ll photograph nesting turtles in the morning and keep a look out for hatchlings. Then we'll enter the water and look for green and loggerhead turtles gliding through coral and surfacing for air, the perfect subjects to master manual camera settings. We'll also visit the famous cleaning station. Back on land, we’ll cover white balance, RAW shooting, and colour correction, followed by a hatchling walk looking for erupting hatchling nests.
We’ll start the day looking nesting turtles and hatchlings. We will then head to the cleaning stations where manta rays often swoop in like ocean angels. Capture motion, contrast, and dynamic frames as these gentle giants glide effortlessly past. We'll explore slow shutter techniques and subject tracking, then regroup in the afternoon for editing insights and visual storytelling tips. There will then be big focus on underwater video in the afternoon. We will finish up with a hatchling walk looking for baby turtles and try advance our photography techniques.
Today’s focus is on telling stories through sequences. Capturing emotion, behaviour, and patterns in the reef. We will start to put together all of our photos and videos and look to fill in the gaps of what we are hoping to capture. You’ll snorkel or dive through bommies, sandy lagoons, and fish-filled channels, honing your creative vision. The afternoon is yours: shoot more, relax, or review your favourite images in a casual feedback session. We'll enjoy our final sunset on the island with casual drinks and more turtle hatchlings.
Greet the final morning with a sunrise snorkel in the channel to enjoy some of the best colours on the great barrier reef. We’ll gather for a final wrap-up session, reviewing your progress, celebrating your best shots, and sharing resources to continue your underwater journey. Depart inspired, with salty hair and a memory card full of magic.
Everything you need to enjoy the photography retreat is included, however, lunch and dinner are the only additional costs which can be bought on the day at the island.
Breakfast is included, however lunch and dinner will need to be purchased from the restaurant on the day. Soft drinks, hot drinks and alcohol is an additional expense.
The accommodation options are either private or shared.
Turtle Room - Private accommodation
Turtle Rooms are located in a garden setting made up of pisonia trees, which come alive when birds are nesting. The comfortable, compact rooms include an en-suite bathroom with shower. With two rooms in
each grouping, all Turtle Rooms are at a convenient ground level and feature a delightful timber deck and outdoor area. Turtle Rooms are close to North Beach.
You can learn more about the Turtle Rooms here
Reef Family Room - Shared Accommodation
Reef Family Rooms are found in 2 locations. Close to the jetty, resort facilities and near the Marine Center. The Reef Family Room interiors are light and comfortable; featuring modern streamlined bathrooms that match the lines of the living room. The stunning living areas face onto the water. They include
an en-suite bathroom with shower. They sleep a maximum of 5 people. Guests will have their own single bed.
You can learn more about the Reef Family Rooms here
Included in the cost of the trip is the ferry that departs from Gladstone Marina. This takes roughly 2.5 hours. It is recommended that you take sea sickness tablets if you know you suffer or if you are not sure if you suffer from it.
There is free long term parking at the ferry terminal.
There are no luggage restrictions.
Snorkel gear is included as part of the experience, however if you have your own I recommend bringing it. Wetsuits are also available to hire at an additional cost. Again, I recommend bringing your own.
Wetsuit, wetsuit top and wetsuit socks
Mask & Fins
Weight belt (also available to hire)
Camera gear (anything from professional gear to action cameras)
Laptop
A comprehensive list of equipment will be sent to you when you book.
This experience is catered for everyone from absolute beginner snorkellers to advanced snorkellers and beginner photographers to advance photographers. The purpose of the group sessions is to learn and experience together. There will be 1:1 sessions as part of the group session and individual 1:1 sessions throughout the trip.
Absolutely not, everyone will still have a fantastic experience in the water with an array of marine life. For those interested, I will have a GoPro, Insta 360 and a Joby SeaPal for phones available for guests to use.
I will have a GoPro, Insta 360 and a Joby SeaPal for phones available for guests to use.
I will have a GoPro, Insta 360 and a Joby SeaPal for phones available for guests to use.Travel insurance is highly recommended for any unforeseen circumstances
The water temperature in March can be up to 30 degrees and average visibility is 20 meters. Although it is warm, we will be doing long sessions in the water and getting in at sunrise and getting out after sunset, therefore it is important to ensure that you have a good wetsuit to keep you warm over this duration.
No, there are no stingers on the southern great barrier reef. However this is not to say it is impossible. In extremely rare cases there could be the possibility. But the chances are extremely low.
Yes, it is important that you bring your own weight belt with weights.
A preset pack that actually works. I've been trying to get these colours for so long.
Cairns, Aus
I'm so grateful for the video that's included to help walk me through your editing process
Sydney, AUS
These presets actually helped me overcome that feeling of not knowing where to start. They made my images so much better.
Los Angeles, CA
I couldn't be happier with the quality of my print. The image and framing was top notch! Thanks!
Sydney, AUS
I have brought my love for turtles indoors with one of Ross's beautiful framed prints of a turtle from Heron Island.
Gold Coast, AUS
I love the details I received with my print. The story of how the image was captured and the certificate of authenticity made it feel like I have a collector's item.
Byron Bay, AUS
Really happy with my prints. Easy, no fuss, good quality and ready to be hung straight from unpacking.
Gold Coast, AUS
This was the perfect gift and showed up in no time at all. Thanks!
Sydney, AUS
A preset pack that actually works. I've been trying to get these colours for so long.
Cairns, Aus
I'm so grateful for the video that's included to help walk me through your editing process
Sydney, AUS
These presets actually helped me overcome that feeling of not knowing where to start. They made my images so much better.
Los Angeles, CA
I couldn't be happier with the quality of my print. The image and framing was top notch! Thanks!
Sydney, AUS
I have brought my love for turtles indoors with one of Ross's beautiful framed prints of a turtle from Heron Island.
Gold Coast, AUS
I love the details I received with my print. The story of how the image was captured and the certificate of authenticity made it feel like I have a collector's item.
Byron Bay, AUS
Really happy with my prints. Easy, no fuss, good quality and ready to be hung straight from unpacking.
Gold Coast, AUS
This was the perfect gift and showed up in no time at all. Thanks!
Sydney, AUS
