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Great Barrier Reef Island Tours

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
Big Cat Green Island reef cruise catamaran
Snorkellers exploring Green Island reef lagoon
Big Cat Green Island reef cruise catamaran
Snorkellers exploring Green Island reef lagoon

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.

Make your way to the Reef Fleet Terminal – Cairns Marina (1 Spence St Cairns) You will receive an email/text with your boarding pass 24 hours prior to departure. If not received go into the Reef Fleet Terminal building and check in at the Big Cat Cruises Desk

Snorkelling
Snorkel and swim in the clear, cool island waters straight from the beach. Encounter a wide variety of colourful fish, turtles and other marine creatures whilst exploring the beautiful coral reef gardens surrounding Green Island. Mask, snorkels and fins in all sizes are available. Guided Snorkel Safari and Snorkel Experience optional extras available.

Glass Bottom Boat
Float across the reef, looking through large viewing windows while enjoying an informative commentary from your guide. This 30-minute tour allows you to view the spectacular coral reef, where an abundance of fish is guaranteed during a lively fish feed.

 

  • Snorkel gear – Mask snorkel and fins. (deposit required)
  • Lycra suit included October – April
  • Floatation Vest.
  • OR Glass Bottom Boat Coral Viewing Tour
  • Cruise in comfort aboard the modern air-conditioned catamarans Big Cat at 9.00 am and Reef Rocket at 11.00 am departure.
  • Ideal for both swimmers and non-swimmers
  • Licensed bar on board offering refreshments and a wide selection of souvenirs
  • 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, or stand-up paddle boards
  • Sheltered beach with plenty of shady retreats
  • Take a stroll along the water’s edge and 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 Semi-Submarine Reef Tour | Great Barrier Reef Underwater Experience
Adult $45.00 Child $25.00 Family $115

Discover the underwater world of Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet aboard the Semi-Submarine — the only vessel of its kind operating at Green Island, run by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises.

Passengers sit below the waterline in an air-conditioned cabin, enjoying a diver’s-eye perspective of vibrant coral reef ecosystems and marine life. Onboard crew provide live commentary throughout the experience, including an engaging fish feeding session that attracts colourful reef fish up close to the viewing windows. Duration: Approximately 30 minutes – Capacity: 27 passengers

Buffet Lunch 
Adult $40.00 Child $26 Family $106.00

A delicious buffet lunch freshly prepared by the highly awarded & renowned Tropic Spirit Catering  is served aboard ‘Big Cat’ at Green Island between 11.15am – 1.15pm for those who have chosen this option. Our licensed bar on board offers refreshments throughout the day. Sit back and enjoy the nice cool air conditioned vessel.

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.

Snorkel Safari – 50 minutes
Adult $85.00 Child $57.00 Family $227.00

Exclusive access to areas not accessible to other guests at Green Island. A tender boat will take you and our marine biologist to drift snorkel one of Green Islands magnificent walls, famous for their extensive coral formations and schools of fish & marine life

Guided Snorkel Experience Tour – 35 minutes
Adult $75.00 Child $46.00 Family $196.00

Help build your confidence in the water. Includes Snorkel Equipment, fins, lycra suit & vest for the whole day !

Marineland Melanesia – cannot be pre-booked
Adult $25 Child $12.50
One of Green Island’s most unique attractions is Marineland Melanesia. Not only is it home to the largest captive crocodile in Australia, Cassius, but it is also home to one of the largest private collections of exotic Melanesian tribal artefacts and aquariums. With twice daily crocodile shows and the chance to hold a baby croc, it’s a family favourite, especially with the children.

Lycra Suits
Adult $10 Child $5
May – October  (Included for free in our ‘Stinger Season’ November – April)

 

  • Swimmers
  • Towel
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Reefsmart sunscreen
  • Underwater camera
  • Water bottle (you are able to refill on board)
  • Change of clothes
  • Cash or credit card for onboard or island purchases

Explore related tours

Kuranda Scenic Railway heritage train station

Kuranda Scenic Train departs Cairns at 8.30am or 9.30am
Return Skyrail Rainforest Cableway at 2.30pm or 3.30pm
Not bookable online ☎️07 40283567
Experience the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns or Freshwater Station, choose from 8:30 am or 9:30 am train (Gold Class upgrade available). Explore the Kuranda markets and the many attractions in Kuranda. Return on the Skyrail Rainforest Cablewayas you guide over the rainforest canopy.  Includes return transfers from Skyrail to Cairns/Freshwater Railway Stations.

Adult $155.50 | Child $85.00 | Family 2A+2C 4-14yrs $399.00 | Gold class option 9.30 train only $60.00 per person

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Helicopter scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns

30 minutes $487 per person includes Fuel Levy
45 minutes $676 per person includes Fuel Levy

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 $487.00 | 45 minutes $676.00 Per Person

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Daintree Tours from Port Douglas

Adult from $259 Child (7-14yrs) $229 not suitable for under 7yrs
Depart daily from Port Douglas only at 7.30am –  4.30pm

Discover the ancient Daintree Rainforest in style. Enjoy guided interpretive walks, a gourmet lunch and a wildlife cruise on Cooper Creek to spot crocodiles and birdlife. Friendly local guides who will share the stories, culture and ecology that make this World Heritage-listed rainforest so extraordinary.

More Info

Adult from $259.00 | Child $229.00 Child 7yrs-14

7:30 am
4:30 pm
River drift Daintree Tours

This unique Daintree Rainforest experience will have you discovering Mossman Gorge in depth. Start the day with a secret location to commence your ‘River drift’ tour,. Enjoy lunch and a traditional smoking ceremony ending the day with a 1.5 hour guided rainforest walk in the Gorge…..

 

More Info

Adult $270.00 | Child $225.00 5 - 15 yrs | Family 2A+2C $910.00 2A+2C

8:30 am
4:30 pm
Cairns Aquarium marine life experience banner

Adult $179| Child $79
Available Tues to Sat 3pm – 6:15pm

Experience available up until 28th June 2026

Aquarium by twilight gives you an insight into the unique changes of the region’s nocturnal sea creatures as they move about in the shadows. Witness the predators in the Oceanarium with appetiser and drink in hand, before completing your evening at Dundee’s Restaurant with a perfectly matched 3 course dining experience while enjoying a stunning marine life backdrop.

Adult $179.00 | Child $79.00

3:00 pm
6:15 pm
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Silversonic diver exploring outer reef coral formations

Adult $315|Child $228
Fuel Levy Adult $10 Child $5 payable on the day of travel
Departs Port Douglas 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Silversonic from Port Douglas takes you to explore three stunning and exclusive outer edge locations at the renowned Agincourt ribbon reefs in superb style and comfort. Spend 5 hours at the reef enjoying unlimited snorkelling and some of the best diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Includes Port Douglas hotel transfers, hot and cold Tropical Buffet Lunch & all snorkelling and dive equipment included.

More Info

Adult $328.00 | Child $238.00 | $10.00 Adult $5 Child Fuel levy payable on the day of travel

8:30 am
4:30 pm

A full-day reef fishing charter offers an incredible adventure on the stunning waters of the Great Barrier Reef, targeting iconic species such as Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Large Mouth Nannygai, and Spanish Mackerel.

More Info

$340.00 Per Person | $60.00 Fuel levy

6:00 am
4:00 pm
Aerial shot of Nautilus Helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef

$1189.00 per person
Departs Daily from Port Douglas
11.10am – 3.30pm

Short on time or want to experience the Great Barrier Reef on a return scenic flight. Takes in the highlights of the inner reef. There is simply no better way to appreciate the sheer size and scale of the Great Barrier Reef than from the air. Expect picture-postcard views of the reef and an abundance of wildlife – sharks, turtles, rays and even whales (July to Nov).

Spend 2 hours – 15 minutes at the Quicksilver pontoon to enjoy snorkelling, semi submersible coral viewing tour, underwater observatory and a delicious buffet lunch.

 

$1189.00 per person

11:10 am
3:30 pm
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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
Rena Keeney
26 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
Seka Mrkonja
1 month ago
Highly recommended!
karen McArthur
karen McArthur
15 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
Rachael E
1 month 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
Trevor Andrews
22 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
John Power
18 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.
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