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Tours for cruise ship passengers
Cairns & Yorkeys Knob Ports
As a locally owned Cairns business for over 30 years, we live and work here and we understand cruise arrival times, tender processes and local conditions inside and out. We are available if you need assistance before or during your visit.
Our Cairns Cruise Ship shore excursions from Cairns and Yorkey’s Knob are designed especially for cruise ship passengers visiting our region. Choose your cruise ship from the below list for all tour options available for your Cruise ship.
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Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal – located in the heart of Cairns city, just a 7 minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal are easily accessible for Great Barrier Reef Tours, Green Island and Fitzroy Island tour departures. For Kuranda & Skyrail Rainforest Tours pick up nearby too, just a short walk to a hotel pick up point.
- Yorkeys Knob – is a tender port 25 minutes north of Cairns, with return shuttle transfers provided by the cruise ship to Cairns city for easy access to Great Barrier Reef and Island tours. There is a Kuranda Tour and Hartleys Crocodile Adventures tour that offer pick up from Yorkeys Knob.
Have questions? call us on 07 40283567 or email us at bookings@cairnsdiscoverytours.com – We are here to help
Discover the rainforest village of Kuranda with a one-way Skyrail cableway and return on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Glide above the World Heritage rainforest, enjoy free time in Kuranda, then relax on the heritage train journey back to Cairns. Timed to suit cruise ship schedules from Cairns.
Travel from 20th July to 25th October please read Skyrail modifications for inclusions
Adult $209.00 | 4-14yrs $110.00 | 2A+2C $566.00
Half Day Great Barrier Reef Tour
Adult $209 |Child 6-14yrs $159
Family 2A+2C $670
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 $209.00 | Child 6-14yrs $159.00 | Family 2A+2C $670.00
$570 per person includes fuel levy
Depart daily 12.40pm – return 4.30pm
Ideal for those with limited time and Cruise ship visitors who still want to experience the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a 25-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef to meet the Superyacht Evolution. Spend 1.5 hours at Hastings Reef snorkelling before cruising back to Cairns whilst enjoying a late lunch and a complimentary glass of wine.
This half-day tour offers the magic of the reef in a timeframe that works perfectly for cruise ship visitors with 3 departures from Cairns Marina daily at 8am, 10am or 1pm.
The tour takes place in open water, confident swimming is recommended to get the most enjoyment and comfort.
Tour runs for 4 hours duration with 1.5 hours of snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef
Adult $179.00 | 6-14yrs $119.00 | 2AD+2CH $535.00 | Prescription Masks $15.00
$644 per person 3yrs + Includes Fuel Levy
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.
$644.00 per person 3yrs + | $0.00 Infant Under 3yrs no neat
Adult $122 |Child $61
Family 2A+2C $305
Full Day 11.00am – 5.00pm
Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the white sandy beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Semi Submersible and guided snorkel tour options available.
Adult $122.00 | Child $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00
Adult $122|Child4-14yrs $61
Family 2A+2C $305
Departs daily 1.00pm – 5.00pm
Green Island is a beautiful island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef only 45 minutes ferry ride from Cairns. It is a Marine National Park uniquely rainforested and surrounded by white sandy beaches and magnificent coral reefs and abundant marine life.
Adult $122.00 | Child4-14yrs $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00
From Adult $108| Child $62 (4-14yrs)| Family 2A+2C $278
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 $108.00 | Child $62.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $278.00
From Adult $108| Child $62 (4-14yrs)| Family 2A+2C $278
Departs daily at 10.45am – Returns at 2.45pm
Escape to Fitzroy Island for a half day adventure. 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, go swimming, stand-up paddle boards and sea kayaking. providing the perfect mix of natural beauty and marine experiences.
From Adult $108.00 | Child $62.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $278.00
Cruise ship shore excursion for Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Travel along the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive on board your luxury coach. Hear the fascinating stories of the region from an experienced local driver-guide. See massive Saltwater Crocodiles & meet native Aussie wildlife!
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 trustCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. (Helicopter tours are 48 hours) We make exploring Cairns stress free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Reserve your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option, or just give us a call or send us an email to secure your booking. We will be in touch to arrange payment 7 days before your departure. Perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 30 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Far North Queensland travellers from around the world. Based in Cairns, we offer authentic tour experiences backed by genuine local knowledge and long standing connections to the region.
👩🏫 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.
