• Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island aboard a luxury, air-conditioned 35-metre catamaran 
• Take a rainforest walk and discover the Green Island’s prolific birdlife and unique tropical rainforest
• Jump aboard a custom glass bottom boat for 30 minutes of reef viewing pleasure around Green Island
• Snorkel straight off the beach and explore stunning coral gardens and colourful marine life on Green Island
• Family Deal - Save $58 based on 2 adults & 2 children

Green Island tour, air-conditioned 35-metre catamaran for an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef tour from Cairns to Green Island – the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest.

Great Barrier Reef tour deal - 2nd Child Travels Free Save $48.50 

Snorkel straight off the beach, glass bottom boat, island rainforest walks, pristine beaches.

With Green Island ferry tours leaving Cairns at both 9.00am and 11.00am, this is the perfect Great Barrier Reef tour choice for both the early riser and those wanting a holiday sleep in. 

Your Great Barrier Reef tour to Green Island includes a great range of activities:

• Snorkelling straight off the beach on Green Island
• Stay dry and view the spectacular underwater reefs from a glass bottom boat
• Laze on the white sandy beach
• Take a walk through the island rainforest and spot native wildlife

On the trip out to Green Island, a friendly crew member will provide a snorkelling demonstration and detailed descriptions of some of the amazing marine life you’re likely to encounter on the reef and around the island.

Your snorkel, fins and mask are included in the Green Island ferry tour price.

From the boat to the jetty, you’ll then be transported to a magical stretch of shoreline and it's time to enter an underwater world of coral gardens, dazzling reef fish, sea turtles and giant clams.

Nature enthusiasts will love the self-guided eco walk around Green Island.

You can also choose from a range of fun-filled optional extra activities:

• Scenic helicopter flights from the beach
• Semi-submersible submarine tour

If you are a cruise ship passenger looking for the best shore tours in Cairns read more on our cruise ship shore tours page.

Cairns Island Tour - Green Island - Great Barrier Reef Tour

Choose from rising with the birds to board the early 9.00am Cairns Island Tour to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef (you may see sea eagles and osprey soaring alongside the boat) or sleep in and take the 11.00am reef tour.

Your trusty steed for the day is a luxurious, air-conditioned 35-metre catamaran, equipped with spacious air conditioned cabins. 

Sip a complimentary coffee or tea upon boarding then get ready for the trip of a lifetime. 

Travel time to the beautiful coral cay of Green Island is just under an hour. 

Glass bottom boat tour

Jump aboard a custom built glass bottom boat tour for 30 minutes of reef viewing pleasure.

You'll view the coral gardens and colourful fish from a different perspective and hear all about the Great Barrier Reef and its eco-system from a marine naturalist. 

This small but unforgettable facet of the tour even includes fish feeding!

The perfect Great Barrier Reef tour activity for non-swimmers.

Snorkel Safari Tour - Optional Extra - Min Age 6

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.

Pre book your Snorkel Safari tour via our booking cart.

• Exclusive access via tender boat to our site
• Marine biologist commentary
• 50 minutes experience
• Ideal for competent swimmers & snorkellers looking for a more advanced snorkelling experience.
• Practice in the shallow waters straight off the beach
• Explore the outer Green Island walls with magnificent coral formations.
• Experienced Snorkeller to assist and supervise

Snorkel Tour Experience - Optional Extra - Min Age 6

During this 45 minute session you will practice using your equipment in the shallow waters at Green Island straight off the beach. Once you are comfortable you will explore the coral gardens with the assistance of an experienced snorkeller. Minimum age is 6 years old for this activity.

Pre book your Snorkel experience tour via our booking cart.

• Great way to get your confidence in the water
• Snorkelling techniques
• 45 minutes experience
• Ideal for beginners
• Practice in the shallow waters straight off the beach
• Explore the coral gardens
• Experienced Snorkeller to assist and supervise

Semi-submersible submarine tour

Imagine exploring the vibrant reef and marine life from the comfort on an air-conditioned semi-submersible submarine tour.

You can marvel at the multi hued coral gardens and rainbow shoals of tropical fish while listening to an informative briefing of how the two have co-existed for millions of years. 

This is a wonderful way to view the Great Barrier Reef for people of all ages and abilities – perfect for non-swimmers or if you don't feel like getting wet. 

Lunch on Green Island - Optional Extra

If you’re just in need of a few snacks and a cold drink, these can be purchased on the boat.

You might want to bring a little spare cash for these goodies.

Or for a small extra fee, you can order a delicious hot and cold buffet lunch with seasonal tropical fruits.

Green Island Rainforest 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. 

Explore Green Island’s unique flora and fauna on a rainforest walk.

Stroll along the beautiful island boardwalk, which winds around sandy coves and threads through lush rainforest.

You’ll find little gems of information about the island's unique flora and fauna on placards along the way.

Keep your eye out for some of the rare native birdlife, including:

• Silvereye
• Ruddy Turnstone
• Reef Heron
• Torres Strait Pigeon
• Bull Branded Rail
• Osprey 

Cairns Scenic helicopter flight - Optional Extra

Enjoy spectacular views as you soar like a bird over the world’s largest coral reef in a scenic helicopter flight from Green Islands golden beaches.

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 June  – September, you might even see the dark shadows of migrating humpback whales and Dwarf Minke whales or a pod of playful dolphins. 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

9.00am & 11.00am

Departure Instructions

Check in 30 minutes prior to departure time

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Palm Cove

• Transfers available for full day 9.00am departure only.

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Green Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Surcharge applies on Christmas Day

Duration

Option 1 FDBC (5.5 hours on Green Island): Check in 8.30am – Departs 9.00am – Arrives Green Island 10.15am – Departs Green Island 3.45pm – Arrives back at Cairns 5.00pm
Option 2 FDRR (4.5 hours on Green Island): Check in 10.30am – Departs 11.00am – Arrives Green Island 11.45am – Departs Green Island 4.15pm – Arrives back at Cairns 5.00pm

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Glass bottom boat tour
• Snorkel hire
• Snorkel Safari Tour - Min age 6
• Snorkel Experience Tour - Min age 6

Fitness Level Required

Low

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, towel, shirt to swim in (slip, slop, slap) cash or credit card for snorkel deposit, cash for drinks and snacks. Film, sunscreen and souvenirs available for sale on board the boat tour. Snorkeling deposit: $30 "Refundable Deposit" is required for the hire of snorkeling gear — cash or credit card imprint.

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• Child Fare 4 - 14 years inclusive
• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
• Snorkel Safari Tour & Snorkel Experience Tour - Min age 6