Tours for cruise ship passengers
Cairns & Yorkeys Knob Ports
Explore Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef with Cairns shore excursions designed for cruise passengers. Choose from small-group or private tours, all timed to your ships schedule.
Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal – located in the heart of Cairns city, just a 7 minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal for Great Barrier Reef and Island tour departures.
Yorkeys Knob – is a tender port 25 minutes north of Cairns, with shuttle transfers provided by the cruise ship to Cairns city for easy access to Great Barrier Reef and Island tours.
Adult $229|Child $118 4-14 yrs|
Family 2A+2C $576
Departs Cairns Daily 7.30am – 5.30pm
The Kuranda Army Duck Tour with Train and Skyrail. You will journey through and above Far North Queensland’s World Heritage-listed wet tropics rainforest. Experience a 45 minute amphibious WW11 Army Duck Rainforest tour at Rainforestation Nature Park. Free time in Kuranda before finishing your day with Kuranda Scenic Railway. Hotel transfers included. Photo Credit: Tourism Australia
Adult $229.00 | Child $118.00 4-14 yrs | Family 2A+2C $576.00
Fitzroy Island Special
Adult $152| Child $101 (4-15yrs)
Family 2A+2C $405
Includes Snorkel equipment + Glass bottom boat tour + Picnic lunch
Departs daily 10.15am – 4.30pm
Best value Fitzroy Island Day Tour
Discover Fitzroy Island’s natural beauty and vibrant marine life with our ‘best of the island’ tour. Perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike, this tour offers an unforgettable day on one of Cairns’ most picturesque islands.
Adult $152.00 | Child $101.00 (4-15yrs) | Family 2A+2C $405.00
Adult $196 – Child $98 – Family $490
Departs Daily from Cairns 8:30am – 5:00pm
Make the most of your time in Far North Queensland with the Two Island Explorer tour, combining both Fitzroy Island and Green Island in a single unforgettable day. Departing from Cairns, this reef and island adventure lets you snorkel vibrant coral reefs, swim in crystal-clear waters, or simply relax
From Adult $97| Child $57 (4-14yrs)| Family 2A+2C $251
Seasonal prices apply to 31st March 2026
Departs daily – 8.30am or 10.45am
Return to Cairns- 4.45pm
Fitzroy Island Adventure is a quick 45-minute ferry to the beautiful coral Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Things to do on Fitzroy Island. You can hire snorkel equipment, glass-bottom boat tour, guided snorkel tours, go swimming, stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaking. Those more active can do the Lighthouse Trail, a steep climb with rewarding views.
From Adult $97.00 | Child $57.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $251.00
Departs Cairns 8.00am – 4.30pm
Kids 50% off – valid to 30th September 2026
Experience the ultimate Great Barrier Reef adventure combining 2.5 hours at Moore Reef Pontoon + 2.5 hours Fitzroy Island stop over in a day! Moore Reef Pontoon includes coral viewing with semi-submersible, glass bottom boat, underwater observatory, snorkelling & kids waterslide. Then a leisurely time at Fitzroy Island to relax & unwind including lunch.
Adult $295.00 | Child ( 4 - 16yrs ) $169.00 | Kids 50% OFF $84.50 | Family 2A+2C $759.00
Adult $292|Child 4-14yrs $152|
Family 2A+2C $736
Departs Cairns daily 7.30 am – 5.30 pm
This Kuranda Day Tour includes the Kuranda Scenic Train and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Experience a full-day adventure to the award-winning Rainforestation Nature Park. Ride an amphibious WWII Army Duck through the rainforest, meet Aussie wildlife at the Koala and Wildlife Park, the Pamagirri Aboriginal experience with an Aussie BBQ lunch plus hotel transfers.
Adult $292.00 | Child 4-14yrs $152.00 | Family 2A+2C $736.00
Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
Adult $199 |Child 6-14yrs $159
Family 2A+2C $650
Depart Cairns Daily 12 noon – 5.00pm
Cairns newest & fastest purpose built vessel to the Outer Barrier Reef. Only 40 snorkelers per trip, Join our expert snorkel team, made up of Master Reef Guides and Marine naturalists, on a crowd-free adventure with over 2 hours of snorkelling time. Get ready to discover the Great Barrier Reef.
Adult $199.00 | Child 6-14yrs $159.00 | Family 2A+2C $650.00
$570.00 per person 3yrs+
Departs daily 8am – 3.30pm
4.5 hours at the Great Barrier Reef
Experience great value on the Great Barrier Reef with two reef sites, snorkelling gear and a fresh BBQ lunch included. At Hastings Reef, step aboard a Nautilus Aviation helicopter for a stunning 25-minute scenic flight over vibrant coral and sand cays as you make your way back to Cairns.
$585 per person
Departs Daily Cairns 10.30am – 3.20pm
Discover the Great Barrier Reef as you cruise in fast catamaran comfort with Great Adventures to the activity platform moored at Norman Reef. Includes lunch, snorkelling equipment, semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour with commentary, Underwater Observatory and Eco Reef Talk. Return to Cairns on a 25 minute scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef.
Departs daily 8.30am – 5.30pm
Enjoy the best of both worlds with this complete Reef and Island tour. Fast 45-minute catamaran ride to Green Island to enjoy 2 hours on this iconic coral cay. Continue your day adventure to Great Adventures spacious activity platform. Spend 3 hours discovering the wonders of the reef, with plenty of time to snorkel, relax, and take in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural treasures.
Adult $299.00 | Child $164.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $770.00
Adult $109.00| Child $79.00 from Cairns
Palm Cove/Trinity Beach/Yorkeys Knob pick-up at 12 noon + Adult $25 Child $15
Cairns Hotel pick ups commence from 12.30pm
Enjoy a small group Cairns afternoon guided tour, showcasing the best of Australia’s most famous tropical city. Explore the cities rich history which provides glimpses of natural beauty, cultural heritage and some of Cairns most iconic landmarks.
Adult $109.00 | Child $79.00 | Palm Cove/Yorkeys Knob at 12 noon – Adult $25.00 Child $15
Explore Kuranda at a relaxed pace with a classic rainforest journey—11.00am Skyrail Rainforest Cableway one way and the 3.30pm Kuranda Scenic Railway the other. Gives you 3 hours in Kuranda o wander the Kuranda village and soak up the rainforest atmosphere.
Adult $209.00 | 4-14yrs $110.00 | 2A+2C $566.00
Departs daily 7am – 5pm
Enjoy an all-inclusive River, Reef, and Island Cruise with the sole commercial operator permitted on the pristine uninhabited Frankland Islands. Snorkel off the Island’s National Park white sand beach, swim with sea turtles, and have a quick and convenient journey with the shortest open water crossing.
Adult $250.00 | Child $125.00 4-16yrs | Family 2A+2C $625.00
Adult $269.00| Child 4-14yrs $169
Family 2A+2C $776
Departs Cairns daily 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
This Great Barrier Reef Tour is another of my favourites as a local. Why? You will visit 2 stunning outer reef locations discovering the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel or dive among turtles, tropical fish, and an incredible variety of corals. This is a very popular Cairns reef tour and often books out in advance!
Adult $269.00 | Child 4-14yrs $169.00 | Family 2A+2C $776.00
30 minutes $455 per person
45 minutes $625 per person
Departs daily from Cairns Heli pad -The Pier Cairns City
The most popular scenic flight combines 30-minute Great Barrier Reef scenic with an additional 15 minute bird’s eye view of the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest on earth. Commencing over the reef, we cross back over the coast near Double Island and the resort township of Palm Cove before ascending the coastal rainforest-clad mountains into the heart of the Barron Gorge National Park.
30 minutes $455.00 | 45 minutes $625.00 Per Person
Adult from $225| Child $145 4-14yrs Family 2A+2C $595
Seasonal dates and prices apply
Departs daily 9.00am – 5.00pm
Step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous Sea Rangers as they recount the Dreamtime stories of the local people and help you gain a deeper cultural understanding of the diverse ecosystems that make up the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy up to 5 hours of fun with unlimited snorkelling with 2 Reef locations in air-conditioned lounges and a licensed bar.
Adult $105| Child $60 (4-15yrs)| Family 2A+2C $270
Rate valid until 31st March, 2026
Departs daily 10.15am – 4.30pm
Fitzroy Island’s full-day experience includes 55 minutes ferry transfer each way. Choose from the many optional activities available. You can hire snorkel equipment, do a guided Snorkel Tour, Glass Bottom Boat coral viewing tour and visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. You can snorkel straight off the beach and discover amazing marine life and sea turtles. Sit back and soak up the serenity on the shores of the famous Nudey Beach (by name only) – once voted the best beach in Australia.
Adult $105.00 | Child $60.00 (4-15yrs) | Family 2A+2C $270.00
$255 Adults – Children under 15 not catered for on this tour.
Departs Wed, Thu, Fri, & Sat
Cairns 8.00am & Palm Cove 7.30am
Food and wine tasting adventure showcasing the spectacular Atherton Tablelands – also known as the Cairns Food Bowl – Includes tastings of liqueurs, wine, beer, spirits, cheeses, coffee, chocolate, tropical fruits, nuts, Crocodile, Kangaroo, Red Claw Yabby. Includes full breakfast, morning tea, gourmet lunch, afternoon tea and all tastings.
Adult $255.00 Children under 15 not catered for on this tour.
Adult $296 | Child $219
Departs daily Cairns 8:30 – 4.30 pm
Dive & Snorkel from Cairns with Silverswift, the only Cairns-based vessel to visit 3 spectacular outer reef locations in one day – It is also the fastest! Exclusive sites at Flynn, Pellowe, Milln and/or Thetford Reefs. Enjoy 5 hours of fun snorkelling and diving
Travel to Kuranda on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, then enjoy up to four hours in the village to explore at your own pace. Return in comfort on the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Gold Class, featuring handcrafted Victorian-style décor, lounge-style seating and personalised onboard service.
Adult $276.00 | 4-14yrs $177.00 | 2A+2C $834.00
Adult $122| Child $66 4-14yrs
Family2A+2C $316
Half Day 8.30am or 10.30am departure -return Cairns 3.20pm
Full Day 8.30am or 10.30am departure -return Cairns 5.20pm
Green Island is an idyllic coral cay located only 15 nautical miles offshore from Cairns, snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the white sand beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Includes choice of snorkelling equipment OR glass bottom boat.
Adult $122.00 | Child $66.00 4-14yrs | Family2A+2C $316.00
We’re passionate locals who know Cairns inside out, and we’re here to make your shore excursion stress-free and unforgettable. Whether you prefer a small-group tour or a private experience, we’ll help plan the perfect day to fit your cruise schedule.
The Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal is conveniently located in the heart of the city, just a 7–10 minute walk from the Cairns Marina and Reef Fleet Terminal, where most Great Barrier Reef and island tours depart. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops within easy reach.
If your ship anchors at Yorkeys Knob, tour options are more limited since many operators don’t collect from this location (about 25 minutes north of Cairns). However, we can arrange a Kuranda Tour on select dates, and most cruise lines provide shuttle transfers into Cairns to connect with reef and island tours.
Popular shore excursions include Great Barrier Reef cruises, scenic helicopter flights, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Paronella Park, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, and the Kuranda Scenic Railway with Skyrail.
For cruise-aligned tour times and personalised advice, our local team is ready to help.
Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 or browse our Cairns tours.
Here’s why thousands of customers loveCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Discovery Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. We make exploring Cairns stress-free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Secure your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option. Lock in your adventure today and pay in easy installments — perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 28 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Cairns with thousands of travellers, offering authentic, community-connected tour experiences.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
