• Our Frankland Island tour has the best coral gardens on the northern facing side of the island protecting it from any winds or bad weather making it a great year round reef trip choice
• The coral reefs on the northern side of Frankland Island are spectacular and are home to many sea turtles and the odd Dugong now and again
• Upgrade to all the Frankland Island options and try paddle boarding, sea kayaking, scuba diving, or Sea Doo to enhance your Great Barrier Reef tour experience from Cairns
• Only 100 guests are permitted on this Great Barrier Reef tour on this gorgeous tropical island each day and we are the only boat operator to visit the Frankland Islands.
• You will be snorkeling and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia within 30 minutes of leaving the boat harbour
• Family Deal - Save $129 based on 2 adults & 2 children

A superb Cairns Great Barrier Reef Island tour & River Cruise. Travel with small numbers to snorkel or dive the reef and explore an uninhabited tropical island that is home to many turtles.

Our Frankland Island Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns is totally unique that there is only one boat per day permitted on this island and it carries only 100 guests making your Cairns island and Great Barrier Reef tour experience casual, unhurried and uncrowded with a beautiful tropical island all to yourselves.

A fantastic Great Barrier Reef tour for the whole family from Cairns that offers so many amazing natural experiences in an untouched environment.

We are the only Cairns Island and Great Barrier Reef tour operator with a license to visit uninhabited Normanby Island in the Frankland Islands making this one of the most private and exclusive island tours on the Great Barrier Reef just outside of Cairns.

The Frankland Islands reef tour also offers the shortest ocean crossing from the mainland to the Great Barrier reef- just 30 minutes.

This makes it perfect for people who may suffer from seasickness or for those who don’t want to be on a boat for long and simply perfect for families with smaller children.

Such a short open water crossing reduces the chances of sea sickness and ensures everyone will have a wonderful day on this gorgeous unspoilt tropical island south of Cairns.

While the Cairns island tour is completely guided by experienced marine naturalists, guests don’t have to tag along with the marine tour guides, you can explore and discover everything on the island at your own pace if you prefer.

If you love sea turtles then book this Frankland Island Great Barrier Reef tour as quite a number of turtles call these island reefs home. 

The calm northern facing lagoon on Frankland Islands is also perfect for first time scuba-divers, shallow sheltered shores offer safe, comfortable sandy slopes for first time scuba divers to wade into the water at a depth comfortable for them to becoming accustomed to scuba diving.

This northern section of the island is mostly always protected from the southerly winds so allows for calm snorkelling even in the most adverse weather.

If you have children with you then again the Frankland Island tour is a really great option for you.  

Morning and afternoon tea is provided and a tropical buffet lunch is served on the beach. Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice. 

Cairns Island Tours - Frankland Islands Reef Trip - Cairns

This Great Barrier Reef tour just out of Cairns is unlike any other- whether you are self-driving or choosing to book the coach transfers, your day will start with a nice scenic drive just South of Cairns to a charming Deeral township.

That’s where you will board the boat to enjoy 30 minute river cruise down the beautiful Mulgrave River where rainforest, mangroves and migratory birds can be seen!

After the river cruise it is only a short 30 minute ocean crossing to the stunning group of Cairns Islands known as Frankland Islands, which makes it a perfect trip for someone who is worried about seasickness, so it's a great non-swimmer reef tour and family tour.

Cairns Island Tours & Activities

Snorkelling

Enjoy snorkelling straight from the beach, shallow entry point makes it a perfect reef tour for families with younger children and people who don’t like the idea of snorkelling in the deep water from the back of a boat or pontoon.

There is also the opportunity for guests to undertake our adventure drift snorkel which is to explore our western reef. This is an optional snorkelling tour which is from our smaller dive tender.

Frankland Islands are surrounded by colourful healthy coral gardens, giant clams and sea turtles are often spotted.

You are sure to discover something new and exciting that you have never seen before.  

Exploring the Island – Guided Island Walk

Tropical buffet lunch is included, served on the beach under a canopy of trees at their picnic area. Once you have restored your energy levels there is plenty of time to explore the Normanby Island at your own leisure or you could join the guided island walk with the Marine Biologist.

Frankland Islands consist of 5 continental islands- Normanby, Mabel, High, Russell and Round. 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Coach transfers begin in Cairns: 6.55am - 5.00-5.30pmpm (Daily)
• Departs and Returns Deeral (self drive): 8.15am - 4.00pm (Daily)

Departure Instructions

Self-drive guests will need to make their own way to Deeral, 45 minutes south of Cairns

Pickup Locations

Cairns

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Frankland Islands National Park
• Mulgrave River

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Currently operating daily except Wed

Duration

9 hours (approx)
Approximately 4 - 4.5 hours on island

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Prescription masks
• Wetsuits

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

• Guests must be able to walk up to 100 m on sand / uneven ground
• Not suitable for disabled passengers

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuit
• Towel and shoes that can get wet for island walk and boat transfers
• Camera
• Cash or Credit Card for additional purchases

• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
• Child rate applies to children age 4 to 14
• Infants 0-3 years travel free of charge
• Proof of age may be required
• All children under 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times. Exceptions are school groups, when children are accompanied by a teacher and have filled out a disclaimer form.

• Bookings may be cancelled, or dates changed up to 48 hours prior to departure with no cancellation or change fee (subject to seat availability). After this time cancellation or failure to board will incur 100% cancellation fee.
• By booking you agree to be bound to the following conditions of travel: • We reserve the right to change fares or itineraries to suit prevailing conditions • We reserve the right to refuse to board any passenger and/or goods at our discretion • We can not guarantee weather conditions on date of travel this includes in water visibility • Tours are operated in wet weather. However, where flooding and associated dangers occur preventing access to tour routes, management may refuse the right to conduct tours at its discretion • We recommend personal travel insurance be obtained and we will not be liable for any damage, loss, injury or inconvenience whether as a result of our negligence or otherwise • Travelling on the open water carries an inherent risk and we will not be liable for any loss or damage which may arise to any passenger and/or belongings whether as a result of our negligence or otherwise.