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Frankland Islands vs Green Island & Fitzroy
Three islands, three very different days out – and that is what makes this decision interesting. Green Island, Fitzroy Island, and the...
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Green Island Tours from Cairns
Discover Green Island from Cairns and enjoy relaxing reef escapes with snorkelling, rainforest walks and beach time. Choose from half-day or full-day Green Island tours from Cairns, including family-friendly green island cairns tours and easy tours to Green Island.
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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
Adult $196.00 | Child $98.00 | Family 2A+2C $490.00
8:30 am
5:00 pm
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
1:00 pm
5:00 pm
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
11:00 am
5:00 pm
Adult $289| Child $225 4-14yrs
Departs Daily 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
Renown as the most exclusive, personal, customer-oriented Great Barrier Reef tour in Cairns with only 25 guests. Join this amazing personalised team on the 16.5 meter sailing schooner ‘Ocean Free’ for a day to remember 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.
Adult $289| Child 4-14yrs $236
Family 2A+2C$1050 + Fuel levy $4 Adult $2 Child
Departs Cairns 8.30am or 10.30am
Returns 3.20pm or 5.20pm
Underwater helmet diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef. 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 and easy to do. 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!
Adult $289.00 | Child 4-14yrs $236.00 | Family 2A+2C $1050.00 | $0.00 Fuel levy $4 Adult $2 Child payable direct
Adult $122|Child 4-14yrs $61
Family 2A+2C $305
Departs daily 9.00am – 1.00pm
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 | Child 4-14yrs $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00
9:00 am
1:00 pm
Adult $122 |Child 4-14yrs $61
Family 2A+2C $305
Full Day 9.00am – 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 4-14yrs $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00
9:00 am
5:00 pm
Adult $127| Child $68 4-14yrs
Family2A+2C $329
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 $127.00 | Child $68.00 4-14yrs | Family2A+2C $329.00 | Price includes Fuel Levy $0.00
Special Deal
Departs daily 8.30am – 5.30pm
Fuel Levy $10.00 Adult $5.00 Child payable day of travel
2 iconic destinations in 1 day. Fast catamaran to Green Island for a 2-hour coral cay stopover, then out to Great Adventures’ Moore Reef platform for 3 hours on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel gear, semi-sub, underwater observatory and buffet lunch all included.
Adult $312.00 | Child $172.00 (4-14yrs) | Family 2A+2C $805.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child. Fuel Levy payable at check-in on the day of travel.
8:30 am
5:30 pm
Adult $240 |Child 4-14 yrs $142
Departs Mon to Sat 9am – 6pm
Green Island and Cairns City Sights Tour is an exciting day tour that takes you on a journey to explore the natural beauty and cultural highlights of two unique destinations. Morning begins with a visit to the beautiful Green Island, where you have the opportunity to snorkel or do a glass-bottom boat tour to discover the Great Barrier Reef. Return to Cairns where you’ll explore the sights and sounds of this vibrant tropical city.
Adult $240.00 | Child 4-14 yrs $142.00
9:00 am
6:00 pm
Green Island is one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most iconic coral cays just 45 minutes from Cairns. Surrounded by white sand beaches and vibrant coral gardens, it’s the perfect day trip for reef lovers, families and first-time snorkellers.
Choose from half-day or full-day options including snorkelling tours, sailing adventures and guided reef activities. All suitable for beginners and easy to combine with relaxing beach time.
While on the island, don’t miss Marineland Melanesia one of Green Island’s longest-running attractions. This privately run cultural and wildlife experience showcases Melanesian artefacts, traditional displays and live crocodile exhibits, with daily feeding shows.
With departures available daily from Cairns, Green Island is an unforgettable highlight of any Tropical North Queensland holiday.
Green Island Cruise
- Cruise in comfort aboard modern air-conditioned catamarans
- Free choice of snorkel gear OR Glass Bottom Boat Tour
- Ideal for both swimmers and non-swimmers
- Licensed bar on board offering refreshments
- Change facilities on the island including freshwater showers & restrooms
- Shops, bar & restaurants available
- Beach umbrellas & sun lounges available for hire
- Other beach activities available for hire – canoes, surf skis, beach volleyball gear
- Sheltered beach with plenty of shady retreats
- Explore sandy beaches to find your own secluded spot
- Rainforest boardwalks with interpretative signage
- Self-guided island walk
- Snorkelling demonstration and activity presentation- en route to Green Island
Green Island & Outer Barrier Reef
- Return air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise
- Morning tea & coffee served until departure
- Morning tea cake selection
- Two (2) hours on Green Island
- Three (3) hours on Outer Reef platform
- Snorkelling equipment included at Green Island and the Outer Reef
- Lycra/Stinger suit included at the Outer Reef
- Use of buoyancy vests at the pontoon
- Reef education presentation
- Hot and cold buffet lunch
- Semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour
- Underwater observatory
- Guided Eco Reef Talk in the underwater observatory
- Afternoon tea and coffee available whilst at the platform
- Cheese and biscuits on return journey
What to bring:
Towel, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and swimwear. Cash for beverages, snacks & souvenirs.
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.
Rena Keeney
17 days ago
We had such a fun time on a half day tour of Fitzroy island with Cairns Discovery Tours! We managed to do an everything we wanted (Nudey beach, long snorkel and lunch) within the time period we had and we even got to swim with turtles 🐢 an unforgettable experience!
This would not have been possible without the fantastic help of Maryanne who booked us in for the tour. She went above and beyond to help us find somewhere to leave our bags during our tour and we wouldn’t have been able to go without her help.
We enjoyed the experience so much and we are very grateful to Maryanne for her help and her exceptional customer service! I would definitely recommend booking local for these kind of experiences because that kind of customer care just doesn’t come when you book through third party sites.
10/10 experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seka Mrkonja
1 month ago
Highly recommended!
karen McArthur
6 days ago
We went on a tour with Discovery Tours today, doing the Mossman Gorge, Daintree / Daintree River Cruise, finishing of visiting Cape Tribulation…
Our driver was James, who was exceptional.
Giving running commentary along the trip. Guiding his group of people through all the different areas. Thanks James, top job.
Rachael E
29 days ago
In June I came to Cairns on holiday from the UK. It was the biggest holiday I've ever taken and because my health limits what I can do took a lot of planning. Maryanne at Cairns Discovery Tours was brilliant. She helped me choose suitable trips, gave me additional information so I could be prepared, advised on the easiest way to get to the departure point for those trips that don't pick up from my accommodation, etc. I booked all my trips except one with Maryanne. Her knowledge of Cairns was invaluable to me. She spoke to me on Whatsapp to answer my questions (we had to arrange call in advance because of the time difference) and when it occurred to me quite close to departure date that I'd need a way of protecting my head and neck from the sun when snorkelling Maryanne got me a suitable headscarf and dropped it off at my accommodation ahead of my arrival. When a friend decided to join me on some of the trips Maryanne was really helpful to her as well. If I am able to come back to Cairns I'll book as much as I can with Maryanne and Cairns Discovery Tours. The service couldn't be bettered.
Trevor Andrews
13 days ago
We have just done the 3 day/2 night Cooktown and Cape Tribulation Tour with 2 friends. An unbelievable experience due to our fantastic guide Steve, who had so much local knowledge on everywhere we visited, especially historical info on the Palmer River gold rush in the 1800s, and Daintree Rainforest botany. Steve was such a good raconteur with friendly personality, who went out of his way to make our trip so enjoyable. Accomodation at both Cooktown and Cape Tribulation was excellent, with amazing setting of the cabins at Cape Tribulation in the rainforest right by the beach. Everything advertised for the tour and more was an memorable experience. Thank you so much Steve!
John Power
9 days ago
I was delighted with the Kuranda tour arranged by this company. The timings worked excellently and it was an eminently well organised tour. The train trip up to Kuranda was great fun and fascinating. Personally, I was particularly interested in the engineering. We had an hour in Kuranda Village, which was enough for me, although I expect some people would have liked to have seen the village and visited the butterfly world, which I think would have been tight. Rainforestation was great, plenty of activity of a variety of natures. I could not throw a boomerang to save my life, but it was fun to try. Then the bus down to Cairns was efficient and friendly, with a superb guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Green Island from Cairns and how long does the trip take?
Green Island is located around 27km (15 nautical miles) offshore from Cairns. The fast Catamaran crossing takes approximately 45 minutes each way. Multiple departure times are available throughout the morning, with both half-day and full-day options on offer.
What activities can I do on Green Island during a day tour?
Green Island tours from cairns include activities such as snorkelling directly off the beach, glass-bottom boat tours and semi-submersible coral viewing tours. There guided snorkel safaris, Scuba Diving and Sea Walker Tours Visitors can also enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach, or walking through the island’s unique rainforest. The island also has a resort with a pool, café, and other facilities, making Green Island a popular choice for families and first time reef visitors.
Can I visit Green Island and the outer Great Barrier Reef on the same day?
Yes, this is one of the most popular reef and island combinations available from Cairns. Tours depart Cairns to Green Island for around 2 hours of free time, then continue to a pontoon on the outer Great Barrier Reef for a further 3 hours of snorkelling and reef activities, before returning to Cairns in the late afternoon.
Can I bring my own food to Green Island?
Yes guests are welcome to bring a packed lunch to Green Island. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, exploring the island, or taking a break between reef activities, there are lovely spots to sit and enjoy your own food and snacks throughout your visit.
What marine life can I see around Green Island?
The reef surrounding Green Island is rich with marine life. Snorkellers commonly encounter sea turtles, colourful reef fish, giant clams, and a variety of coral species. The island’s lagoon is also home to tropical fish that are easy to spot even for first-time snorkellers.
What should I bring for a Green Island and Great Barrier Reef tour?
Green Island is closer to Cairns, making it easier to reach and a good choice for families, those with limited time, or anyone who prefers a relaxed island day. The outer reef offers more pristine coral and greater marine biodiversity, and is generally the better option for snorkellers and divers. A combo tour that visits both in a single day is a great way to experience the difference without having to choose.
How do you get to Green Island from Cairns?
Green Island is reached by ferry or catamaran from Cairns, with most tours departing from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. The trip takes around 45 minutes each way. You can choose from half-day, full-day and reef-and-island combo tours depending on how much time you want on the island.
For questions about bookings, cancellations, group travel and accessibility, visit our page.
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