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.

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

More Info

Discover Fitzroy & Green Island in one day

Adult $196.00 | Child $98.00 | Family 2A+2C $490.00

8:30 am

5:00 pm

Couple relaxing on Green Island beach Great Barrier Reef

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.

More Info

1:00pm Half Day Green Island

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.

More Info

11:00am Green Island Full Day Tour

Adult $122.00 | Child $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00

11:00 am

5:00 pm

Ocean Free Pinnace reef snorkelling near Green Island

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.

More Info Book Now

Green Island Sailing Day Tour

Adult $289.00 | Child $225.00 4-14yrs

8:00 am

5:00 pm

Book Now

Seawalker helmet dive experience Fitzroy Island reef

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!

More Info

Green Island • Seawalker Helmet Dive Tour

Adult $289.00 | Child 4-14yrs $236.00 | Family 2A+2C $1050.00 | $0.00 Fuel levy $4 Adult $2 Child payable direct

Aerial view of Green Island coral cay near Cairns

Adult $122|Child 4-14yrs $61
Family 2A+2C $305
Departs daily 9.00am – 1.00pm

More Info

09:00am Half Day Green Island

Adult $122.00 | Child 4-14yrs $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00

9:00 am

1:00 pm

Big Cat Green Island reef cruise catamaran

Adult $122 |Child 4-14yrs $61
Family 2A+2C $305
Full Day 9.00am – 5.00pm

More Info

09:00am Green Island Full Day Tour

Adult $122.00 | Child 4-14yrs $61.00 | Family 2A+2C $305.00

9:00 am

5:00 pm

Great Adventures boat transfer to Green Island reef

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.

More Info

Green Island Cruise Half or Full day

Adult $122.00 | Child $66.00 4-14yrs | Family2A+2C $316.00

Special Deal

Ferry leaving Green Island Great Barrier Reef

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.

More Info

Green Island & Moore Reef Tour from Cairns

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

Snorkellers exploring Green Island reef lagoon

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.

More Info

Green Island & Cairns City Sights Full Day Tour

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.

Very good support from Marianne to organize our Cairns visits, both for diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and for Kuranda and Rainforest Cape tribulation tours ! You can trust she will arrange every modification needed at her best ! Loved the trip in Cairns also thanks to Marianne, who listens and adapts to your interests and time ! Big Thank you, Marianne!

Great tour. We covered a lot of ground without feeling rushed. The day was well organised & seamless with a very knowledgeable tour guide/ driver.

I’m not often impressed enough to comment I certainly am with Maryanne Nothing was too much effort, even to ringing me at 9pm on Friday night to change a trip Refunded was processed within ten minutes of cancellation, new options provided All the five star reviews are true!

Cairns Discovery Tours is such a wonderful company. They all were essential in giving us an unforgettable experience on our first trip to Cairns. Maryanne is so friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful in finding perfect excursions for us. Her Daintree Rainforest tour with the awesome Jeremey as our guide was truly amazing ! On top of all of this, everyone was so kind and helpful to recover and return to my wife a lost sentimental bracelet. I can not thank them all enough for making our vacation so special and memorable. You are all the best !

I had an incredible time with Cairns Discovery Tours! The entire experience was seamless, but I especially want to highlight the amazing help I received from Maryanne. She was absolutely wonderful throughout the booking process—her assistance in coordinating all the different spots and managing the details made my trip stress-free and truly enjoyable. If you're looking for a professional and helpful team in Cairns, I highly recommend them. Thank you, Maryanne, for all your hard work!"

We booked a whole day trip out to Daintree , Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation. Our guide was Jeremy. He was really fun and knowledgeable and I think he made all the difference in the World on this excursion. Without him, we would be lost not knowing what to look at and what to look out for. Highly recommended excursion if you can get a guide like Jeremy!!!

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 ferry 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 cairns tours include activities such as snorkelling directly off the beach, glass-bottom boat tours, guided snorkel safaris, and semi-submersible reef 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 cairns tours 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.