A man has been airlifted from a resort island in the Great Barrier Reef after he was bitten by a shark.

The man in his 50s was snorkelling in a shallow reef just at Lady Elliot Island, off the coast of Bundaberg, on Thursday.

He was attacked by a shark in the morning, with an emergency request sent to the LifeFlight helicopter at about 8.27am.

A man in his 50s was bitten on the arm. Photo: LifeFlight

The critical care LifeFlight doctor and Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) flight paramedic treated the patient for puncture wounds to his hand and deep lacerations to his right arm.

The species of shark is unknown.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort released a media statement saying three men who were not resort guests were snorkelling on the western side of the island.

“The men swam ashore and alerted Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort staff that one of them had been bitten by a shark,” the statement read.

“Lady Elliot Island staff provided immediate assistance, stabilised the man and helped co-ordinate an emergency response.

“The man had a bite to his right elbow.

“Lady Elliot Island has closed the western snorkelling zones until further notice.”