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Two islands, both within 45 minutes of Cairns, both sitting on the Great Barrier Reef, both offering snorkelling, beaches, and rainforest. On paper, Green Island and Fitzroy Island look almost interchangeable. In practice, they are very different days out – and the right one for you depends on what you are actually looking for.
Cairns Discovery Tours books visitors onto both islands every day, and the question of which to choose comes up constantly. The short answer is that Green Island suits people who want easy reef access, flat terrain, and a relaxed pace, while Fitzroy Island suits those who want more space, hiking trails, and a wilder island feel. Here is a closer look at how they compare.
The basics – how do they compare?
They are about the same distance from Cairns, and the ferry time is similar, but that is where the similarities end. Green Island is a tiny, flat coral cay you can loop in 20 minutes. On the other hand, Fitzroy Island is a mountainous continental island 28 times the size, with a peak at 269 metres and kilometres of bushwalking tracks. One feels like a resort day, the other feels like an adventure.
| Green Island | Fitzroy Island | |
| Type | Coral cay | Continental island |
| Size | 12 hectares | 339 hectares |
| Distance from Cairns | 27 km | 29 km |
| Ferry time | 45 minutes | 45-55 minutes |
| Terrain | Flat – walkable in 20 minutes | Mountainous – peak rises to 269 metres |
| Beaches | White sand, shallow entry | Boulder beaches + Nudey Beach (sand) |
| Resort | Yes – Green Island Resort | Yes – Fitzroy Island Resort |
| Best for | Families, short visits, easy snorkelling | Hikers, adventurers, full-day visits |
Beaches and swimming
The beach experience is one of the biggest differences between the two islands.
Green Island has white sand beaches with a gentle, shallow entry into the water. You can wade in gradually, which makes it particularly good for families with young children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer. The northern beach has a lifeguard-patrolled swimming area during tour hours.
Fitzroy Island’s main beach at Welcome Bay is made up of coral rubble and rounded boulders rather than soft sand – beautiful in its own way, but not the classic tropical beach you might be picturing. The payoff is Nudey Beach, a short walk through the rainforest from the main jetty. It was voted Australia’s best beach, and it lives up to the reputation – sheltered, quiet, and fringed by rainforest. The water entry at Fitzroy is a little deeper than Green Island, which is worth considering if you are travelling with small children.
Snorkelling
Both islands offer snorkelling straight off the beach, and both sit within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. You will see coral, tropical fish, and a good chance of spotting sea turtles at either island – they feed on the seagrass beds close to shore.
Green Island’s fringing reef is right off the beach in shallow, sheltered water. This makes it one of the best spots in the region for beginner snorkellers or anyone who wants to ease into the water without a boat ride out to a reef site. Glass-bottom boat tours are also available if you would rather stay dry.
Fitzroy Island’s reef is a little further from shore, and the water is slightly deeper, which can mean better coral coverage and more variety for experienced snorkellers. The trade-off is that it requires more confidence in the water. Guided snorkel tours are available on both islands for anyone who wants a hand getting started.
Related reading: What to do on Green Island – activities, snorkelling and timing tips
Walking and hiking
This is where the two islands really diverge.
Green Island is flat and compact. The boardwalk loop through the rainforest takes about 20 minutes and is fully accessible – a pleasant stroll, but not exactly a workout. The self-guided eco walk takes you past numbered information points covering the island’s 6,000-year history and 126 native plant species. It is more of a wander than a hike.
Fitzroy Island is a completely different story. At 339 hectares – roughly 28 times the size of Green Island – it has a network of proper walking tracks ranging from easy to challenging. The Summit and Lighthouse Trail is a 3.6-kilometre return hike that climbs to 269 metres above sea level, with views across the Coral Sea to Green Island on a clear day. The Secret Garden track leads to Nudey Beach through dense rainforest. If you enjoy bushwalking, Fitzroy Island will keep you busy for the full day.
Related reading: Fitzroy Island hiking trails guide
Activities beyond the beach
Green Island packs a lot into a small area. Beyond snorkelling and the glass-bottom boat, you can try the Seawalker helmet dive (walking the sea floor without diving experience), visit Marineland Melanesia to see Cassius – reportedly the largest captive crocodile in Australia – and explore the rainforest boardwalk. There are also introductory scuba diving options, guided snorkel safaris, and combo tours that pair Green Island with time on the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Fitzroy Island leans more toward active pursuits. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and ocean trampolining are available from the beach hire centre. The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a genuine highlight – it cares for sick and injured sea turtles before releasing them back into the reef. The walking trails offer several hours of hiking, and the island’s size means you can find a quiet spot away from the crowd even on busy days.
Facilities and dining
Green Island has more built infrastructure for day visitors. The resort area includes restaurants, a cafe, a pool accessible to some day tour guests, and gear hire. Lunch options range from casual cafes to buffet packages that can be added when booking your tour.
Fitzroy Island’s facilities are simpler. Foxy’s Bar is the main spot for food and drinks – a casual beach bar with meals, cocktails, and views over Welcome Bay. Picnic lunch packs can be pre-booked through your tour, or you can bring your own esky with food and drinks. It is a more laid-back setup, which suits the island’s overall feel.
Which one should you choose?
Rather than declaring one island “better,” the honest answer is that they suit different types of visitors:
Choose Green Island if you:
- Are travelling with young children or elderly family members
- Want easy, shallow snorkelling right off the beach
- Prefer a shorter half-day trip
- Want more dining and facility options on the island
- Are a nervous swimmer or a first-time snorkeller
Choose Fitzroy Island if you:
- Enjoy hiking and want to explore walking trails
- Prefer a quieter, less developed island
- Are happy with a full day out
- Want to visit Nudey Beach
- Like kayaking, paddleboarding, or more active water sports
Explore Cairns
Green Island
Just 45 minutes by ferry, Green Island is a tropical coral cay with crystal-clear reef waters, snorkelling, rainforest walks and beautiful beaches.
See Green Island tours
Explore Cairns
Fitzroy Island
Crystal-clear water, coral reefs right off the beach, and just 45 minutes from Cairns. Fitzroy Island is one of the reef’s best-kept secrets.
See Fitzroy Island toursCan you visit both?
Definitely! The Two Island Explorer tour combines both Fitzroy Island and Green Island in a single day, departing from Cairns. It is a full day with time on each island, and a good option if you genuinely cannot decide – though the pace is quicker than a dedicated day on either island.
You may also like: Best islands to visit on the Great Barrier Reef
Frequently asked questions
Which island has better snorkelling?
Both offer excellent reef access. Green Island has the edge for beginners thanks to its shallow, sheltered lagoon. Fitzroy Island tends to offer slightly more coral variety for confident snorkellers. Either way, sea turtles are commonly spotted at both.
Is one island cheaper than the other?
Tour prices are similar for both islands. Fitzroy Island is slightly more affordable. Ferry day trips start from around $109 per adult, compared to $122 for Green Island. Both islands offer package upgrades with snorkel gear, glass-bottom boats, or lunch – starting from $166 on Fitzroy and $300 on Green Island. Family pricing (2A+2C) is available on most options. Prices are in AUD and can change without notice, so always check the current rate on the relevant tour page before booking.
Can I do a half-day trip to either island?
Half-day tours are available to both islands, though Green Island has more half-day options with the flexibility of multiple daily departure times. Fitzroy Island tends to suit a full-day visit, given its size and the range of walking tracks.
Which island is better for families with young kids?
For families with small children, Green Island is a better choice. The flat terrain, shallow water entry, lifeguard-patrolled beach area, and wider range of facilities make it the more practical choice for families with small children. Fitzroy Island is better suited to families with older, more active kids.
Book your island day trip
Whether you lean toward Green Island’s easy reef access or Fitzroy Island’s rugged trails and quiet beaches, both islands deliver a proper Great Barrier Reef experience within an hour of central Cairns.
Browse all Green Island tours or explore Fitzroy Island options to find the right fit. If you are still undecided, call us on (07) 4028 3567 or send us an email and the team can help match you with the right island for your group.
