Green Island day trips from Cairns
Green Island lies 27 km off Cairns and is a national park. Ferries leave from the Reef Fleet Terminal. The boat ride takes 50 to 60 minutes, and some fast catamarans make it in 45. Check the departure and the boat when you book. The island is open all year, but trips can be cancelled in bad weather.
A Green Island trip is a different day from an outer reef pontoon trip. If you want the most time at the reef edge, see our guide to reef trips from Cairns.
Our picks: Green Island and Fitzroy Island trips
Our take: both islands lie on the inner reef off Cairns, not the outer reef. The first Green Island trip lets you choose cruise only, glass-bottom boat or snorkel gear, the full-day trip offers snorkelling or the glass-bottom boat, and Fitzroy Island is the option for trails and beaches.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Green Island cruise with glass-bottom boat or snorkel option
- Up to 7 hours ashore
- Marine biologist talk
- Island pool and day facilities
Green Island lies on the inner reef, not the outer reef. You pick cruise only, glass-bottom boat or snorkel gear; dives cost extra.
Check availability →Full-day Green Island cruise with snorkel or glass-bottom boat
- Snorkel or glass-bottom boat
- Safety equipment
A catamaran day on Green Island, an inner reef island, with a choice of snorkelling or the glass-bottom boat. Lunch and the semi-submarine only come with the option you select.
Check availability →
Fitzroy Island day trip by catamaran ferry
- Return catamaran ferry
- Up to 7 hours ashore
- Walking trails and beaches
Up to seven hours on Fitzroy Island, an inner reef island, with national park trails and beaches. Snorkel gear, the glass-bottom boat and a picnic lunch only come with the booking option you choose.
Check availability →Green Island and reef tours from Cairns
Ferries to Green Island, with snorkeling and glass-bottom boat options, plus other reef trips from Cairns, with live prices and availability.
Green Island ferry fares compared
Return fares in 2026. Children are aged 4 to 14. Pure Green Island trips carry no outer reef fuel surcharge on the fares.
| Package | Adult | Child | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry only | A$112 | A$56 | A$287 |
| Ferry with snorkel gear or glass-bottom boat | A$127 | A$68 | A$329 |
| Ferry with both | A$156 | A$85 | A$404 |
For most first-time visitors who want to snorkel, the package with gear is the sensible middle option. Add the glass-bottom boat if someone in your group prefers to stay dry. The fares do not include everything on the island, so check what each package covers.
Green Island or the outer reef?
Two different days out of Cairns, using 2026 and 2026/27 adult fares.
| Green Island | Outer reef pontoon (Moore Reef) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 27 km | About 47 km |
| Boat time | 50 to 60 minutes | About 90 minutes each way |
| Adult fare | A$112 (ferry only) | A$317 |
| What it is | An island in a national park with a beach and walks | A full day on a pontoon at the reef edge |
For most visitors who want the island and a relaxed day, Green Island is enough. If your main goal is the most reef time, take the outer reef trip instead.
Snorkeling and swimming at Green Island
The park authority tells snorkelers not to go alone and recommends sun cream and protective clothing. Do not touch or stand on coral, do not chase animals, and keep more than 1 m from giant clams.
Stingers are a real risk. Box jellyfish and Irukandji can be life-threatening. The higher-risk season runs roughly from November to May, but the park authority says jellyfish are possible at any time of year at Green Island. Wear a full-body lycra or neoprene suit. In an emergency call 000, apply vinegar and get medical help, because Irukandji symptoms can start 20 to 40 minutes after a sting. Stinger nets reduce the risk but are not fully stinger-safe, and you should not swim if the area is closed.
Dogs are not allowed on the island. Organised commercial activities need a permit.
Fitzroy Island
The other island trip from Cairns.
Getting there
Ferries and private boats leave from Cairns and take about 45 minutes. Confirm transfers 24 hours ahead. The island has no vehicle access.
Fare example
A return ferry for an adult starts at A$109 in 2026/27. The fare on pure Fitzroy Island trips carries no fuel surcharge.
On the island
National park walking tracks and beaches. The tracks are not wheelchair accessible.
Michaelmas Cay
A bird sanctuary, not a beach to wander.
Access rules
Michaelmas Cay is a breeding sanctuary for seabirds. Visitors may enter only between 09:30 and 15:00, and only inside the roped visitor area. You cannot walk freely around the cay.
When to go and what to read next
Seasons, weather and the rest of the region.
Seasons
Cairns is wettest from January to March and driest from June to September. The cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April. This pattern does not promise weather or visibility on your day.
Best time to visit →Getting around
You fly into Cairns Airport, about 7 km from the centre. The Reef Fleet Terminal, where the ferries leave, is in the city.
Getting there →
Green Island: frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry to Green Island?
About 50 to 60 minutes. Some fast catamarans take 45, so check your boat.
How much is a Green Island day trip?
The return ferry costs A$112 for adults, A$56 for children aged 4 to 14 and A$287 for a family in 2026. Packages with snorkel gear or a glass-bottom boat cost A$127, A$68 and A$329. The package with both costs A$156, A$85 and A$404.
Can you snorkel at Green Island?
Yes. Take a full-body suit, do not go alone and follow the reef rules. Jellyfish are possible at any time of year.
Can I bring a dog?
No. Dogs are not allowed on Green Island.
Is this an official Green Island website?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not connected to the national park service, a ferry company or any tour operator.