How long is the ferry ride from Cairns to Green Island?

It takes approximately 45 minutes by high-speed catamaran.

Can I snorkel directly from the beach?

Yes, Green Island offers easy beach access to coral reefs, making it ideal for beginners.

What’s included in the Green Island tour packages?

Most include return ferry transfers, snorkeling gear, and access to island facilities. Upgrades like scuba diving or glass-bottom boat rides are available.

Is there an island fee I need to pay?

Some Green Island tours include an Environmental Management Charge (EMC) as part of the ticket price to support reef conservation. You can confirm whether this is included in your ticket while booking.

Are there food and drinks available on the island?

Yes, you’ll find cafes, bars, and takeaway outlets serving a variety of meals and snacks.

Can I stay overnight on Green Island?

Yes, Green Island Resort offers luxury accommodation, though most tours are for day visits. Bookings should be made separately if you plan to stay overnight.

Are there any age restrictions for the cruise or activities?

Generally, there are no age restrictions for the cruise itself. However, certain activities like scuba diving may require participants to meet minimum age requirements, usually 12 years or older.

Can I cancel or reschedule my cruise?

Most cruises offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. To reschedule your cruise, you may need to contact the cruise operator.

Are there souvenir shops on Green Island?

Yes, you can shop for gifts, clothing, and local crafts at the island’s souvenir stores.

Green Island Tours from Cairns | Great Barrier Reef

Sightseeing Cruises

NEW

Cairns to Green Island and Outer Reef Sailing Cruise with Guided Snorkel and Lunch

Arrive early for exclusive reef access, expert-led snorkeling, and small group comfort.

Great for adventurous couples, families, and explorers seeking intimate reef experiences with personalized service.
Everything you get: A 6-hour cruise aboard a schooner or catamaran with shaded decks, air-conditioned cabins, buffet lunch, morning tea, guided drift snorkel with a marine naturalist, optional diving, glass-bottom boat tour, fish feeding, and all gear provided.
Why choose this: Enjoy an intimate group experience with a high crew-to-guest ratio that ensures safety, 2:1 intro dive sessions, expert insights, and a smorgasbord spread to top it off.

Arrive early for exclusive reef access, expert-led snorkeling, and small group comfort.

Great for adventurous couples, families, and explorers seeking intimate reef experiences with personalized service.
Everything you get: A 6-hour cruise aboard a schooner or catamaran with shaded decks, air-conditioned cabins, buffet lunch, morning tea, guided drift snorkel with a marine naturalist, optional diving, glass-bottom boat tour, fish feeding, and all gear provided.
Why choose this: Enjoy an intimate group experience with a high crew-to-guest ratio that ensures safety, 2:1 intro dive sessions, expert insights, and a smorgasbord spread to top it off.

Inclusions

Full-day cruise to Great Barrier Reef and Green Island cruise
Small group cruise
Round-trip transfers from Green Island
6 hours of reef time (Upolu Cay & Outer Edge Upolu Reef)
Adventure drift snorkel tour with marine naturalist
Glass-bottom boat tour
Coffee/tea, Danish pastries, and fresh fruit on boarding
Buffet lunch with salmon, prawns, meats, salads, breads
Tropical afternoon tea – cheese platter / fresh fruit platter/cake platter
Reef talk by a marine interpreter, fish feeding session
Scuba diving demonstration, 2 guests per instructor
Snorkeling fee and equipment
All reef levies and fees

Exclusions

Recreational area and environmental management charges

Certified and non-certified diving experiences
Round-trip bus transfers

Tip: Keep an eye out for blue-spotted stingrays and turtles in the shallow waters of Green Island when you take a stroll around the remote beaches.
This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
Guests with asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, and epilepsy are restricted from participating in the scuba diving experience.
Children must be supervised by their parents at all times.
Guests can convey their dietary preferences or allergy concerns to the operator 24 hours prior to the trip.
Guests must be at least 12 years old to do an introductory dive.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

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Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

9 hr.

Transfers included

Meals included

Sightseeing Cruises

4.5(0)

Cairns to Green Island Full Day Cruise with Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Options

Full-day freedom and flexible Green Island reef experiences from Cairns.

Great for independent travelers, families, and anyone wanting a flexible Great Barrier Reef day trip focused on activities, not fixed schedules.
Everything you get: Return catamaran cruise, up to 5 hours island time, rainforest access, your choice of snorkelling gear/glass bottom boat/semi-sub tour, onboard amenities & bar.
Why choose this: Enjoy maximum island time with the freedom to choose activities that suit your style, budget, and comfort level.
Upgrades: Add a guided snorkel tour for immersive exploration, or choose a glass-bottom boat or semi-sub tour to see the reef's wonders while staying completely dry.

Full-day freedom and flexible Green Island reef experiences from Cairns.

Great for independent travelers, families, and anyone wanting a flexible Great Barrier Reef day trip focused on activities, not fixed schedules.
Everything you get: Return catamaran cruise, up to 5 hours island time, rainforest access, your choice of snorkelling gear/glass bottom boat/semi-sub tour, onboard amenities & bar.
Why choose this: Enjoy maximum island time with the freedom to choose activities that suit your style, budget, and comfort level.
Upgrades: Add a guided snorkel tour for immersive exploration, or choose a glass-bottom boat or semi-sub tour to see the reef's wonders while staying completely dry.

Inclusions

Full-day cruise to Green Island
Stay on Green Island for 5 hours with a self-guided walk
Semi-submarine tour (if option selected)
Choice of either a glass-bottom boat trip or snorkeling gear (if option selected)
Lycra suits and flotation vest (with snorkeling gear)
Snorkeling safari tour with marine biologist (if option selected)
Experienced snorkeling tour with marine biologist (if option selected)
Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island
Use of Big Cat vessel during time at the island as an air-conditioned base

Exclusions

Food and drinks (available to purchase onsite)

Tip: Snorkeling off the beach is often best during the mid-to-high tide phase, as it provides more depth over the reef flats closer to shore. Low tide can be good for seeing exposed corals but might make swimming access trickier in some spots.
Guests over 16 years of age can travel without adult supervision. However, photo identification will be required at check-in.
Guests over 18 years of age must be with guests under 16 years of age at all times.
This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
This experience is pram/stroller accessible.
Service animals are allowed on this experience.

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

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Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

5 hr. - 8 hr.

Lunch Cruise

3.5(0)

Cairns to Green Island Half Day Cruise with Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Options

Quick reef getaway with snorkeling or glass bottom boat ride on a modern catamaran.

Great for time-conscious travelers, cruise passengers, and budget adventurers who want a high-impact, half-day reef escape without the full-day commitment.
Everything you get: Round-trip cruise aboard an air-conditioned catamaran, 2 hours and 15 minutes on Green Island with choice of snorkeling gear or glass-bottom boat tour, plus access to beaches and rainforest walks.
Why choose this: A time-efficient and budget-friendly way with a streamlined itinerary that delivers essential marine Great Barrier Reef highlights.
Upgrades: Opt to include a semi-submarine ride for a closer underwater reef perspective without getting wet.

Quick reef getaway with snorkeling or glass bottom boat ride on a modern catamaran.

Great for time-conscious travelers, cruise passengers, and budget adventurers who want a high-impact, half-day reef escape without the full-day commitment.
Everything you get: Round-trip cruise aboard an air-conditioned catamaran, 2 hours and 15 minutes on Green Island with choice of snorkeling gear or glass-bottom boat tour, plus access to beaches and rainforest walks.
Why choose this: A time-efficient and budget-friendly way with a streamlined itinerary that delivers essential marine Great Barrier Reef highlights.
Upgrades: Opt to include a semi-submarine ride for a closer underwater reef perspective without getting wet.

Inclusions

Half-day cruise to Green Island from Cairns
Stay on Green Island for 2 hours
Self-guided walk on the island
Semi-submarine tour (if option selected)
Choice of either a glass-bottom boat trip or snorkeling gear
Lycra suits and flotation vest (with snorkeling gear)
Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island
Use of Big Cat vessel during time at the island as an air-conditioned base

Tip: Don't just use the jetty to arrive and depart. Take a few minutes to walk along it and look down into the water. You can often spot schools of fish, sometimes rays, reef sharks, and even turtles.
This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
This experience is pram/stroller accessible.
Service animals are allowed on this experience.
Guests over 16 years of age can travel without adult supervision. However, photo identification will be required at check in.
Guests over 18 years of age must be with guests under 16 years of age at all times.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

‌

Check availability

Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

4 hr.

Sightseeing Cruises

NEW

[Family Package] Cairns to Green Island Full Day Cruise

Family-friendly pricing for a flexible day on Green Island.

Great for families and parents looking for a simple, flexible, full-day reef escape with onboard comfort and light snorkelling options.
Everything you get: Return cruise on a modern catamaran with air-conditioned lounges, sundecks, restrooms, and change rooms. Includes 5 hours to spend on Green Island with access to beaches and rainforest.
Why choose this: Give your family the freedom to explore the reef and island without overloading your day—plus the comfort of an air-conditioned base.
Upgrades: Add a buffet lunch served onboard to keep the whole family fueled and happy.

Family-friendly pricing for a flexible day on Green Island.

Great for families and parents looking for a simple, flexible, full-day reef escape with onboard comfort and light snorkelling options.
Everything you get: Return cruise on a modern catamaran with air-conditioned lounges, sundecks, restrooms, and change rooms. Includes 5 hours to spend on Green Island with access to beaches and rainforest.
Why choose this: Give your family the freedom to explore the reef and island without overloading your day—plus the comfort of an air-conditioned base.
Upgrades: Add a buffet lunch served onboard to keep the whole family fueled and happy.

Inclusions

Full-day cruise to Green Island from Cairns
Stay on Green Island for 5 hours
Island rainforest walks
Snorkeling gear
Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island
Use of Big Cat vessel during time at the island as an air-conditioned base
Buffet lunch (if option selected)

Tip: Explore the entire Rainforest Boardwalk (20-30 min loop, often missed). Take your time to appreciate the unique bird sounds (like the Buff-banded Rail), the canopy, and interpretive signs for a distinct experience from the beach.
Guests over 16 years of age can travel without adult supervision. However, photo identification will be required at check-in.
Guests over 18 years of age must be with guests under 16 years of age at all times.
This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
This experience is pram/stroller accessible.
Service animals are allowed on this experience.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

‌

Check availability

Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Mobile ticket

6 hr.

Meals included

Airplane Tours

NEW

From Cairns: Outer Great Barrier Reef 40‑Minute Scenic Flight

Scenic 40‑minute flight over the Great Barrier Reef with guaranteed window seats.

Great for: Nature lovers and families eager to experience unparalleled aerial views of vibrant reefs, pristine islands, and unique marine life.
Everything you get: 40‑minute flight in a high‑wing aircraft with guaranteed window seats, expert in‑flight commentary, and exceptional photo opportunities.
Why choose this: See the vastness of the 2300-km-long Great Barrier Reef —flying over Green Island, coral gardens, and sand cays.

Scenic 40‑minute flight over the Great Barrier Reef with guaranteed window seats.

Great for: Nature lovers and families eager to experience unparalleled aerial views of vibrant reefs, pristine islands, and unique marine life.
Everything you get: 40‑minute flight in a high‑wing aircraft with guaranteed window seats, expert in‑flight commentary, and exceptional photo opportunities.
Why choose this: See the vastness of the 2300-km-long Great Barrier Reef —flying over Green Island, coral gardens, and sand cays.

Inclusions

40-minute flight over Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
Expert pilot/guide
Headsets
Window seats

Tip: Keep an eye out for marine life during your flight; this is one of the few places where you can spot dugongs, manta rays, and green turtles from above!
The experience is restricted for guests weighing more than 115kg.
This tour can accommodate a maximum of 7 people on the flight.