Woman who failed to return to cruise ship found dead on Great Barrier Reef island

An 80-year-old woman has been found dead on a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef after she “failed to board” a cruise ship.

Queensland Police said the woman was reported missing on Saturday, after the Coral Expeditions cruise visited Lizard Island, off the coast of Cooktown, 320 kilometres north of Cairns.

Her body was found the next day by emergency services.

In a statement, Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield confirmed the “tragic death” of a passenger on the Coral Adventurer during an excursion to the island.

The woman was found dead on Lizard Island after she failed to board the Coral Expeditions cruise ship. (Supplied: Coral Expeditions/Facebook)

He said the crew notified authorities the woman was missing on Saturday, which prompted a “land and sea search”.

They were later notified by police that the woman had been found dead on the island.

Mr Fifield said the company was working closely with authorities.

“While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman’s family,” Mr Fifield said.

“The Coral team have been in contact with the woman’s family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process,” he said.

Police are investigating, but said the death was being treated as “sudden and non-suspicious”.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.