• Book a scenic helicopter flight from the beach to fly over the coral reefs.
• Choose from the many optional activities on offer. Seawalker helmet diving, scuba diving, parasailing, guided snorkel tours and much more.
• View the amazing marine world surrounding Green Island while keeping dry on a glass bottom boat tour. 
• See the largest crocodile in captivity in Australia, 116-year-old Cassius, who resides at Marineland on Green Island.
• Snorkel straight off the beach and explore Green Islands fringing coral gardens and colourful marine life.
• Take a self-guided eco walk and discover Green Island’s prolific birdlife and unique tropical rainforest.
• Discover amazing underwater canyons on an optional scuba diving tour.
• Family Deal - Save $58 based on 2 adults & 2 children

Explore the world's largest coral reef on this unforgettable day trip to stunning Green Island. Located only 27km (17 miles) from Cairns, Green Island is the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest and is home to a vast array of unique plant and bird species.

What to Expect

Explore the world's largest coral reef on this unforgettable day trip to stunning Green Island. Located only 27 km (17 miles) from Cairns, Green Island is the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest and is home to a vast array of unique plant and bird species.

Whether you're after an eco-experience, an adrenaline rush, a Great Barrier Reef tour with adventure, or some relaxation and indulgence, this Green Island tour from Cairns offers activities and experiences to suit everyone. This is a good option for cruise ship passengers in Cairns and Yorkeys Knob and also for non-swimmers.

Features and Highlights

Green Island Packages

Green Island Discovery

• Morning tea/coffee on boarding
• Snorkelling equipment AND glass bottom boat tour
• Use of island swimming pool
• Self-guided eco island walk
• Use of day visitor facilities
• Beach bag

Green Island Eco Adventure

• Morning tea/coffee on boarding
• Choice of snorkelling equipment OR glass bottom boat tour
• Use of island swimming pool
• Self-guided eco island walk
• Use of day visitor facilities

Fun for Families

• Families with teenagers (or big kids) will love the adrenaline-packed optional activities on offer, including kayaking, surf skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, or a scenic helicopter flight.

Enjoy Some R&R

• If you're in need of some relaxation, lie back and soak up the sun on one of the beach lounge chairs, laze by the island pool, or book an indulgent oil massage at the Day Spa.

Green Island Nature and Wildlife

• If you prefer your adventures out of the water, take a self-guided eco walk around Green Island, where you will learn about the island's unique ecosystem and spot unique birdlife. Or head to Marineland Melanesia where you'll see the largest captive crocodile in Australia, Cassius.

Aquatic Adventures

• Snorkel’ling straight off the beach to explore the Great Barrier Reef's colourful coral gardens and unique marine life, or choose from a range of optional activities including scuba diving and helmet walking, with full training provided. If you prefer to stay dry, view the beauty of the reef without getting wet – in a glass bottom boat.

Whale Watching

• Keep an eye out during whale migration season (June - September) and you might view one of these magnificent mammals. Even Migaloo the rare white humpback whale may pop in to check out Green Island on his annual migration.

Ferry Boat to Green Island

• Enjoy an incredible day exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island, a 6,000-year-old coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. You will board a spacious, luxury air-conditioned catamaran at Cairns for a 45-minute journey to Green Island. Complimentary tea and coffee are served on board until the vessel leaves.

Green Island Activities

Enjoy a range of island adventures and fun activities:

• Relax on pristine beaches or swim in the island pool.
• Take a stroll through the rainforest on a self-guided eco walk.
• Snorkel straight off the beach to explore colourful coral and unique marine life.
• Stay dry and enjoy viewing the reef in a glass bottom boat.

Snorkelling

• Ready to go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns? Make your way to the Dive Shop where you will be fitted with your snorkel, mask, and fins. Prescription masks, flotation vests, and full-length Lycra suits are available at an extra cost. You're then ready to go snorkelling straight off the beach to explore this magical underwater world.

Self-Guided Green Island Eco Walk

• What makes Green Island so unique is it is the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef to have a rainforest and is home to over 120 species of plants and over 55 species of birds. Enjoy a nature-packed self-guided eco walk through the unique mixture of coastal and rainforest plants and spot some rare native birdlife.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour of Green Island

• Stay dry and view the stunning coral gardens and colourful marine life of the reef in our modern glass bottom boat.

Seawalker Helmet Diving on Green Island

• Not a confident swimmer then you must try Seawalker? No worries! You can still get under the water and up close to the amazing marine life of the Great Barrier Reef – dressed like an astronaut! You won’t even get your hair wet, and you can wear your glasses! Your 45-minute walk along the sea floor is literally as easy as walking.

Scenic Helicopter Flight on Green Island

• Enjoy spectacular views as you soar like a bird over the world’s largest coral reef on a scenic helicopter flight. Seeing the beauty of this World Heritage-listed site from above is a memory that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Book your helicopter ride here.

Parasailing on Green Island

• Imagine flying like a bird with the tropical blue sky above and crystal-clear blue waters beneath you. Parasailing is the best bit of parachuting without the airplane! You'll be pulled behind a speedboat on a specially designed seat for two, which means you can share the experience with a friend or loved one.

Introduction to Scuba Diving on Green Island

• If you ever fancied seeing what it was like to feel like a fish, this is your chance to get under the water and blow bubbles. You don’t need to be an experienced scuba diver or have certification as all training will be given to you on the day by experienced diving instructors.

Certified Scuba Diving on Green Island

• The Great Barrier Reef is home to some of the world's best dive spots, and a must-do for divers. Certified divers will be provided with all scuba gear and an experienced dive guide to ensure maximum enjoyment, safety, and to guide you to the best sites.

Oil Massage

• If you're in need of a bit of pampering, why not book in for a heavenly oil massage with an expert masseur at the Green Island Resort. It's the ultimate in relaxation!

Marineland Melanesia Wildlife Park (Optional)

• This is where the largest crocodile in captivity, Cassius, resides along with 50 of his mates. Cassius is approximately 116 years old, weighs over one ton, and is 5.48 meters long. Catch the feeding of the crocs daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm.

Beach Hire Activities

• Enjoy activities such as canoeing, glass bottom kayaking, and windsurfing or relax with a cold drink on your personal sun lounge chair and umbrella on the beach.

See more Green Island tours, half day tours, non-swimmer Great Barrier Reef tours and cruise ship passenger tours from Cairns.

Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef from our blog. 

Ferry Boat to Green Island

Enjoy an incredible day exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island, a 6000-year-old coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

You will board a spacious, luxury air-conditioned catamaran at Cairns for a 45-minute journey to Green Island.

Complimentary tea and coffee are served on board until the vessel leaves. 

Green Island activities

Enjoy a range of island adventures and fun activities:

• Relax on pristine beaches or swim in the island pool.
• Take a stroll through the rainforest on a self-guided eco walk.
• Snorkel straight off the beach to explore colourful coral and unique marine life. 
• Stay dry and enjoy viewing the reef in a glass bottom boat. 

Snorkelling

Ready to snorkel? Make your way to the Dive Shop where you will be fitted with your snorkel, mask and fins.

Prescription masks, flotation vests and full-length lycra suits are available at an extra cost.

You're then ready to snorkel straight off the beach to explore this magical underwater world.

Self-Guided Green Island Eco Walk

What makes Green Island so unique is it is the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef to have a rainforest and is home to over 120 species of plants and over 55 species of birds.

Enjoy a nature-packed self-guided eco walk through the unique mixture of coastal and rainforest plants and spot some rare native birdlife, including:

• Silvereye
• Ruddy Turnstone
• Reef Heron
• Torres Strait Pigeon
• Bull Branded Rail (careful not to treat on their nests)
• Osprey (see them catching fish or circling above).

The boardwalk has information signs posted along the route. 

Glass bottom boat tour

Stay dry and view the stunning coral gardens and colourful marine life of the reef in our modern glass bottom boat.

Seawalker helmet diving on Green Island

Not a confident swimmer? No worries! You can still get under the water and up close to the amazing marine life of the Great Barrier Reef – dressed like an astronaut!

You won’t even get your hair wet and you can wear your glasses!

Your 45-minute walk along the sea floor is literally as easy as walking.

You will be strolling in a unique marine world as brightly coloured fish swim around you and you might even get to hang out with a passing turtle and spend some time with Nemo. 

Scenic helicopter flight on Green Island

Enjoy spectacular views as you soar like a bird over the world’s largest coral reef on a scenic helicopter flight.

Seeing the beauty of this World Heritage-listed site from above is a memory that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

During May – November, you might even see the dark shadows of migrating humpback whales and minke whales or a pod of playful dolphins. 

Parasailing on Green Island

Imagine flying like a bird with the tropical blue sky above and crystal clear blue waters beneath you.

Parasailing is the best bit of parachuting without the aeroplane! You'll be pulled behind a speedboat on a specially designed seat for two, which means you can share the experience with a friend or loved one – what a selfie that would be!

Introduction to scuba diving on Green Island

If you ever fancied seeing what it was like to feel like a fish, this is your chance to get under the water and blow bubbles.

You don’t need to be an experienced diver or have certification as all training will be given to you on the day by experienced diving instructors.

You will dive at a specially selected dive site, just a short boat trip offshore from Green Island.

Swim through amazing coral formations, view 50-year-old giant clams, hang out with a turtle, and encounter rays, reef sharks, brightly coloured butterfly fish, angel fish and reef fish. 

Certified scuba diving on Green Island

The Great Barrier Reef is home to some of the world's best dive spots, and a must-do for divers. 

Certified divers will be provided with all scuba gear and an experienced dive guide to ensure maximum enjoyment, safety and to guide you to the best sites. 

You will take a short boat trip offshore from Green Island where you will dive amongst amazing coral gardens and view passing sharks, angelfish, butterfly fish, giant clams and you might even be able to hang out with a turtle.

If you don't have your certification card with you, no worries, if you have a PADI certification it can be found online. 

Oil massage

If you're in need of a bit of pampering why not book in for a heavenly oil massage with an expert masseur at the Green Island Resort.

It's the ultimate in relaxation! Choose from a range of massage options using Australian Jojoba oil mixed with your choice of aromatic oils.

Marineland Melanesia Wildlife Park (optional)

This is where the largest crocodile in captivity, Cassius resides along with 50 of his mates.

Cassius is approximately 116 years old, weighs over one ton and is 5.48 metres long. 

Catch the feeding of the crocs daily at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

While you're there, visit Marineland's aquarium, and view the collection of primitive tribal artefacts and other fascinating exhibits. 

Your ticket to Marineland is valid for the whole day so you can make multiple visits.

Beach hire activities

Enjoy activities such as canoeing, glass bottom kayaking and windsurfing or relax with a cold drink on your personal sun lounge chair and umbrella on the beach.

See more Green Island tours and cruise ship passenger tours.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

• Option 1 (5 hours on Green Island): Check in 8.00am – Departs 8.30am – Arrives Green Island 9.15am – Departs Green Island 2.30pm – Arrives back at Cairns Marina 3.20pm
• Option 2 (5 hours on Green Island): Check in 10.00am – Departs 10.30am – Arrives Green Island 11.15am – Departs Green Island 4.30pm – Arrives back at Cairns Marina 5.20pm
• Option 3 (5 hours on Green Island): Check in 8.00am – Departs 8.30am – Arrives Green Island 9.15am – Departs Green Island 4.30pm – Arrives back at Cairns Marina 5.20pm
• Fly Cruise Option (6.5 Hours on Green Island): Check in 9.10am - Departs 9.50am - Arrives Green Island 10.15am – Departs Green Island 4.30pm – Arrives back at Cairns Marina 5.20pm | NAUT

Departure Instructions

Departure from Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St Cairns. It is recommended to check-in forty-five minutes prior to departure.

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Green Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

For Christmas and New Year there is a high demand so advance booking is advised.
All days subject to weather conditions.

Duration

7 or 5 hours on Green Island - boat ride 45 minutes each way
Times are approximate

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Introductory Scuba Diving
• Seawalker helmet diving
• Scenic Helicopter Flights
• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total
• Boat snorkel trip
• Parasailing,
• Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat.
• Lycra suits

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving, Scuba Doo and Helmet Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving and helmet diving/scuba doo.
• Participation is subject to medical questionnaires completed on board with the tour operator.
• Minimum age for scuba diving and helmet diving/scuba doo is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Eco Certifications

Hat, Sunglasses, Towel, Sunscreen, Swim wear, Money for snacks & drinks

• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
• Child Fare 4-14 years inclusive
• Infants age 3 will be charged the child price for any helicopter component booked, this charge will be added to your booking total