Great Barrier Reef Island Day Tours

Join us for a unique outer reef tour where the Sunlover catamaran docks alongside a floating pontoon stationed in a natural lagoon fringed with beautiful coral. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, family traveller, experienced diver or on your first trip to the Great Barrier Reef, our expert team will deliver a unique reef tour experience for you. Experience the ultimate adventure combining 2 hours at Moore Reef pontoon on the Outer Barrier Reef + Fitzroy Island stop over in a day! Moore reef has all of our standard inclusions with time at Fitzroy Island to relax & unwind including lunch.

The complete reef and island experience awaits with this exciting tour. Take a fast 45-minute catamaran ride to beautiful Green Island and enjoy two hours on this unique reef and rainforest coral cay. Then, you’ll depart Green Island to continue your day of adventure and discovery with 3 hours on board Great Adventures' spacious activity platform moored on the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef.

Green Island
It is a beautiful 6000-year-old coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – a premier world heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Grab your snorkel gear and head to the Lifeguard patrolled beach to explore the marine world off the beach, take a stroll thru the unique tropical rainforest, laze on the white coral sand beach or take part in some of the optional activities that Green Island has to offer

Outer Barrier Reef
The stable reef activity platform is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel and/or dive, visit the underwater observatory, cruise in a semi-sub to view the surrounding coral or relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch. The vibrant marine life of the reef awaits you.

Join this amazing personalised team on the 16.5 meter sailing schooner 'Ocean Free' for a day to remember on the Great Barrier Reef. Renown as the most exclusive, personal, customer-oriented Great Barrier Reef tour in Cairns with only 25 lucky guests..

Green Island is a truly tropical haven situated 26 km from Cairns on The Great Barrier Reef. Ocean Free sails you to Pinnacle Reef, an exclusive reef site located in the highly protected Marine Park zone just off Green Island offering excellent coral coverage and vibrant marine life. It's protected waters are the perfect location to discover the reef snorkelling or scuba diving.

Experience the best of both worlds – the spectacular marine life on your private Great Barrier Reef site and then get taken straight to Green Island beach where you can explore the tropical island or just relax in the cool, crystal clear, shallow waters.

If you’ve never dived and wish to try it, we have introductory dives - guaranteed 2 divers to one instructor! (the usual ratio is 4:1) If you are a certified diver, you can enjoy the wonders of the reef with our experienced complimentary guides. At the end of your day hoist the sails and enjoy a sail home (engines off - wind permitting)

The only Cairns reef, rainforest and river experience. Explore and enjoy this natural paradise, no big crowds, full of marine life. Enjoy the opportunity to have this hidden gem all to yourself! Frankland Islands Reef Cruises is an exclusive Cairns Great Barrier Reef day tour. It starts with a rainforest river cruise, followed by the shortest open water crossing of any of the Cairns day tour boats, to put you right on the Great Barrier Reef.

Our destination is Normanby Island in the beautiful Frankland Islands National Park island group. Surrounded by vibrant fringing reefs, it’s home to many species of marine life, including turtles, octopuses and the ever-popular anemone clownfish, Nemo, to name a few. You have up to 4 hours to explore and enjoy this natural paradise, above and below the water.

If you’ve never snorkelled before, don’t worry – our crew will give you all the instruction and briefing you need. Flotation devices are available so you can float along with ease and enjoy the sights as you explore the reef. Experienced instructors, including our Master Reef Guides, guide both snorkel tours. They know where to find all the best marine life, from turtles and fish to giant clams and impressive corals. Want to stay dry, and view the Great Barrier Reef on the Semi-Submersible tour? You will be amazed at what you will see. Discover the pristine coral reefs without getting your feet wet from the comfort of our semi-submarine. Take a guided tour of the reefs surrounding the islands and learn about the incredible ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. Get up close and personal with fish, turtles and the diverse range of corals.

Make your way to the Reef Fleet Terminal - Cairns Marina (1 Spence St Cairns) You will receive an email/text with your boarding pass 24 hours prior to departure. If not received go into the Reef Fleet Terminal building and check in at the Big Cat Cruises Desk

Snorkelling
Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Mask, snorkels and fins in all sizes are available.

Glass Bottom Boat
Float across the reef, looking through large viewing windows while enjoying an informative commentary from your guide. This 30-minute tour allows you to view the spectacular coral reef, where an abundance of fish is guaranteed during a lively fish feed.

Set sail to Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef aboard Ocean Spirit's comfortable sailing catamaran. Snorkel or dive the fringing reef and view from the comfort of a glass bottom boat. Enjoy the crystal clear waters with easy access off the spectacular white sand beach and observe the myriad of seabirds that call this protected sanctuary home. Michaelmas Cay is a major natural seabird habitat and one of the most important in the Southern Hemisphere. It is home to at least 23 species of seabirds. Many breeds find this island an ideal nesting habitat and is one of the most significant bird sanctuaries on the Great Barrier Reef.

Ocean Spirit is a high standard operator with Climate Action and Advanced Ecotourism Certification. From the wind in her sails to eco friendly practices - theirs is a gentle footprint on our Iconic Great Barrier Reef.

Green Island Snorkelling
Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Mask, snorkels and fins in all sizes are available.
Adult $28 Child $16 Family $72

Green Island Glass Bottom Boat
Float across the reef, looking through large viewing windows while enjoying an informative commentary from your guide. This 30-minute tour allows you to view the spectacular coral reef, where an abundance of fish is guaranteed during a lively fish feed.
Adult $28 Child $16 Family $72

Seawalker
For an amazing underwater walking experience, let Seawalker’s expert guides show you the wonders of the reef as you stroll along the Green Island lagoon’s sea floor. There’s no equipment to operate, non-swimmers are welcome, and you don’t even have to get your hair wet!
It’s quick – only 45 to 50 minutes from the briefing to being back on dry land. Learn about safety, don the helmet, and walk on the seafloor – it’s that easy.
It’s easy – no new skills to learn, no swimming and no equipment to operate.
It’s safe – Seawalker’s guides are always in the water beside you; it’s great for non-swimmers and anyone who is not confident in the water.
It’s low stress – no complicated equipment to use, and you can wear glasses or contacts.
Per person over 12 yrs $198.00

Lunch at Emerald Restaurant is available to be pre-booked between 11.00am-2.00pm. Choose one of the following delicious menu options plus a beer, wine or soft drink.
Truffle pasta, Pesto barramundi, Grilled chicken breast with avocado salsa, Green Island beef burger or vegetarian burger.
Adult $37.00 Child $20.00

Join Indigenous guides for the Wunyami Cultural tour and learn how the island is connected to an ancient journey of two ancestorial story-time beings who fought and formed the island and who still protect it today. This story is shared by the GuruGulu Gungganji people (Yarrabah) and the Gimuy Yidinji people (Cairns). As part of a small group, your guides will explain the symbiotic relationship of these warriors, the cultural ceremonies of these two tribes and the connectivity of this iconic island to the ancient seascape. The Indigenous guides have been given special approval from their elders to share this story with all who come on this tour.

The Wunyami Walking Tour takes approximately 1 hour, and you can choose from a morning 9.45am or 1.00pm afternoon tour.
Adult $41.00 Child $21.00

Green Island Marineland Melanesia
Croc shows 10.30am & 1.30pm
One of Green Island’s most unique attractions is Marineland Melanesia. Not only is it home to the largest captive crocodile in Australia, Cassius, but it is also home to one of the largest private collections of exotic Melanesian tribal artifacts and aquariums. With twice daily crocodile shows and the chance to hold a baby croc, it’s a family favourite, especially with the children.
Adult $28 Child $14

Seawalker Green Island offers an amazing underwater helmet diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef. Expert Guides will show you the wonders of the reef as you walk on the seafloor surrounded by colourful tropical fish and corals at beautiful Green Island, a 6000-year-old coral cay. There is no equipment to operate, and non-swimmers are welcome; Seawalker is accessible to almost everyone, and you don’t even have to get your hair wet!

Please see dive medical form in additional information as some conditions and medication can exclude you from this activity

Immerse yourself in the marine wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef and discover the underwater world from a different perspective. It’s a fun and engaging adventure you can share with your family and friends.

It’s quick – only 45 to 50 minutes from the briefing to being back on dry land. Learn about safety, don the helmet, and walk on the seafloor – it’s that easy.
It’s easy – no new skills to learn, no swimming or equipment to operate.

• It’s safe – Seawalker’s guides are always in the water beside you
• It's great for non-swimmers and anyone who is not confident in the water
• It’s low stress – no complicated equipment, and you can wear glasses or contact lenses

Your visit allows you 2 hours at Green Island and included is the choice of snorkelling gear OR a glass bottom boat tour. "Reef Rocket” is a modern comfortable air-conditioned highspeed catamaran with a relaxed atmosphere. Travel time to Green Island is 45 minutes from Cairns. Passengers can take part in the many activities available or simply relax on the beach. Our friendly crew will help you to organise your activities to make the most of your time on Green Island. Floatation vests and lycra suits included.

Snorkelling
Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Mask, snorkels and fins in all sizes are available.
Lycra suits available for hire

Glass Bottom Boat
Float across the reef, looking through large viewing windows while enjoying an informative commentary from your guide. This 30-minute tour allows you to view the spectacular coral reef, where abundant fish is guaranteed during a lively fish feed.

Lunch at Emerald Restaurant is available to be pre-booked between 11.00am-2.00pm. Choose one of the following delicious menu options plus a Australian beer, wine or soft drink.
Truffle pasta, Pesto barramundi, Grilled chicken breast with avocado salsa, Green Island beef burger or vegetarian burger.
Adult $42.00 Child $20.00 Valid to 31.3.24

Optional Activity
One of Green Island’s most unique attractions is indeed, Marineland Melanesia. Not only is it home to the largest captive crocodile in Australia, Cassius, it is also home to one of the largest private collections of exotic Melanesian tribal artifacts and aquariums. With twice daily crocodile shows and the chance to hold a baby croc, it’s definitely a family favourite, especially with the children.

From $25.00 per adult $12.50 per child

Established by two partners in the early 1960s, Marineland Melanesia has been proudly owned and operated by the Craig family since 1971. From working in Papua New Guinea, family patriarch George Craig (perhaps one of the original ‘crocodile hunters’) set about bringing to reality an island habitat for huge crocodiles and a magnificent range of carvings and ancient primitive tribal art from the region known as Melanesia.

A favourite destination for Cairns locals and visitors alike, Fitzroy Island is 90 per cent lush rainforest, with gorgeous beaches, spectacular walking trails, abundant coral and marine life and plenty of adventure activities. This tropical paradise is just a 45-minute ride in Sunlover's air-conditioned catamaran. You can snorkel straight off the beach and discover amazing marine life and sea turtles, or simply sit back and soak up the serenity on shores of the famous Nudey Beach (by name only) Once voted the best beach in Australia. There are 9km of rainforest walking tracks for the more adventurous. Foxy's Bar is open daily for lunch or a drink; take a bush walk to the island's summit or lighthouse or take a tour at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. You can take your own esky with food and drink to the island. Alcohol available for purchase from Foxy's Bar.

A favourite destination for Cairns locals and visitors alike, Fitzroy Island is 90 per cent lush rainforest, with gorgeous beaches, spectacular walking trails, abundant coral and marine life and plenty of adventure activities. This tropical paradise is just a short 45-minute ride in Sunlover's air-conditioned catamaran. A daily Fitzroy Island tour with return ferry transfers only and optional snorkel equipment hire. You can snorkel straight off the beach and discover amazing marine life and sea turtles, or simply sit back and soak up the serenity on the sandy shores of the famous Nudey Beach - Once voted the best beach in Australia. There are 9km of rainforest walking tracks for the more adventurous. Foxy's Bar is open daily for lunch or a drink; take a bush walk to the island's summit or lighthouse or check out the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. You can take your own esky with food and drink to the island. Alcohol available for purchase from Foxy's Bar.

Up to 6 hours to explore Fitzroy Island. More time to explore, relax and play! Walk through the rainforest with picture-perfect scenery. Experience a full day on a tropical Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Go snorkelling, swimming, bushwalking, paddleboard or canoeing on this tranquil island. There is something for everyone. Fitzroy Island is a National Park covered in tropical rainforest. There are bush walking tracks throughout the island.

Take the Lighthouse Road trail to wind your way to the lighthouse, where you’ll have spectacular views out to Green Island on a clear day from 269 metres above sea level. From the top, you can wind back a different way taking the Summit Track, which pops out near the resort. Take plenty of water with you. Visit Nudey Beach (by name only) one of North Queensland’s most iconic and photographed beaches and is ranked as one of Australia’s 10 best beaches.