A tragedy unfolded on a luxurious resort island within the Great Barrier Reef, where a cruise ship passenger was discovered deceased after not rejoining her vessel.

The elderly woman, aged in her 80s, was participating in a Coral Expeditions cruise destined for Lizard Island, situated off Cooktown’s coastline, when the incident occurred on Saturday.

When she failed to return to the ship, the crew promptly alerted the authorities to her disappearance later that same day.

The search and rescue teams, having combed both land and sea, located her lifeless body on the island the subsequent day.

Mark Fifield, the chief executive of Coral Expeditions, expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and assured that the company is actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation by the authorities.

“Coral Expeditions can confirm the tragic death of a passenger on the Coral Adventurer during an excursion to Lizard Island in Queensland,” he said in a statement.

“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.

“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.

“We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation.”

The woman was on board the Coral Adventurer, a spacious cruise ship that can hold 120 guests and 46 crew members.

Queensland Police is investigating the death, but has ruled it non-suspicious.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.