Cairns & Port Douglas
Cairns has two easy island escapes, and this list weighs them against each other. Both sit about 45 minutes out by ferry, but they could not be less alike: Green Island is a tiny coral cay, Fitzroy a rainforest peak with a beach made of coral rubble. Either way, the snorkelling starts right off the sand.
Discover Fitzroy Island with a full-day trip from Cairns, featuring snorkeling, hiking, and optional extras — perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Most Popular★ 4.6“Absolutely amazing day! We knew it would be good but what a gorgeous island to spend a day at, with helpful staff and all you could need available. My only disappointment is we weren’t there for longer! Highly recommend this. We booked the ferry to…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,668 reviews8 hoursFrom $67by Fitzroy Island Adventures
Explore the stunning beauty of Green Island on a full-day cruise from Cairns. Snorkel, relax on the beach, and discover the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.
★ 4.5“it was a fantastic day to see the Great Barrier Reef. A once in a lifetime experience. We saw lots of wildlife and learned loads. The trip with the semi submersible and glass bottom boat as extras was very well coordinated and the schedule was…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,584 reviews8 hoursFrom $77by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Explore Green Island near Cairns with snorkeling, glass bottom boat tours, rainforest walks, and relaxing beach time. Discover the Great Barrier Reef's beauty.
★ 4.4“We really enjoyed the trip, it was self guided which made the day more relaxed. We saw turtles, stingrays, starfish, and a shark whilst snorkelling. The island itself was clean and had plenty of toilets, showers, etc.”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,284 reviews5 - 9 hoursFrom $73by Great Adventures Reef & Island Cruises
Discover Fitzroy Island from Cairns with a flexible ferry tour, optional lunch, snorkeling, and activities—perfect for relaxing or adventuring.
★ 4.4“Loved every bit of it. The crew were punctual and the food was pretty good too”
★★★★★★★★★★
796 reviews8 hoursFrom $59by Sunlover Reef Cruises
Experience paradise on a Fitzroy Island day trip from Cairns. Explore pristine beaches, snorkel vibrant reefs, and discover the beauty of this tropical gem.
★ 4.0“Great experience snorkeling and the beautiful beaches. Beautiful view of mountains to and fro cairns. The scenery is amazing”
★★★★★★★★★★
688 reviewsFrom $71.72by Fitzroy Island Adventures
Experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef with our Ocean Free Green Island & Snorkel Cruise. Limited spots available - book now for an unforgettable adventure!
★ 5.0“Many thanks to the team and crew! Great yacht trip. The weather was bad, so we didn't really see the reef and its inhabitants. The water was muddy, there were few fish, but we managed to see huge fish in the water, which swim right…”
★★★★★★★★★★
657 reviewsFrom $200.11by Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours
Experience the beauty of Green Island on a half-day morning cruise from Cairns. Explore stunning coral gardens, relax on sandy beaches, and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.
★ 4.2“The crew aboard Reef Rocket were all extremely nice and helpful in every way possible. They made us feel welcomed and appreciated. Apart from the crew I had booked the snorkelling and the guided glass bottom boat tour. The glassy was very nice with informative…”
★★★★★★★★★★
417 reviews4 hoursFrom $77by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Experience Green Island from Cairns with a half-day cruise. Snorkel, explore rainforest, or enjoy glass-bottom boat views—perfect for a quick tropical escape.
★ 4.4“Very enjoyable, staff wonderful. Glass bottom boat tour was fascinating. Would have liked a little more time on Green Island so we could see the crocodile show.”
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403 reviews4 hoursFrom $77by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Discover Cairns' stunning Great Barrier Reef and Green Island with this sailing tour, offering snorkeling, diving, and island relaxation in an intimate setting.
★ 4.8“We had an incredible day with this tour! All of the divers were so kind, proactive, and supportive; as newbies on the water, we felt very looked after. Could not recommend this trip enough! The food, the snorkelling, and the Green Island visit were fantastic.…”
★★★★★★★★★★
398 reviews9 hoursFrom $183by Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom
Discover the wonders beneath the turquoise waters of Green Island. Snorkel, explore the breathtaking coral reefs, and embark on a thrilling glass-bottom boat adventure.
★ 4.0“A great trip - We’ve done it twice now. Be sure to go on glass bottomed boat trip and the snorkelling. The food establishments including those selling ice cream, seem to shut early - mid afternoon. Boat trip from Cairns to Green IslanRead more”
★★★★★★★★★★
386 reviewsFrom $107.59by The Quicksilver Group
Discover the wonders of Green Island with snorkelling or a glass bottom boat tour. Dive into an underwater paradise or stay dry and explore the vibrant marine life.
★ 4.0“Amazing thank god we found this one Best experience from our whole holiday. Well organised Great for children”
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282 reviewsFrom $87.50by The Quicksilver Group
Discover the Cairns Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island tour, combining snorkeling, island exploration, and fascinating marine activities in one unforgettable day.
★ 4.6“This trip was excellent. We chose it as we were able to go to Fitzroy Island as well as the reef. We had a nice amount of time on the reef, more than enough to snorkel and take it all in before relaxing and heading…”
★★★★★★★★★★
213 reviews9 hoursFrom $208by Sunlover Reef Cruises
An underwater adventure awaits on a half-day trip to Green Island from Cairns, where mysteries and marine wonders beckon - are you ready to dive in?
“Half day tour is not enough time to snorkel and do the semi-submersible. Snorkelling from the island was also quite a let down - not a great deal to see. However we did spot several turtles from the jetty which was awesome.”
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194 reviewsFrom $83.92by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Discover Fitzroy Island on a half-day tour from Cairns. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs, explore rainforest trails, and relax on stunning beaches—all in just four hours.
★ 4.4127 reviews4 hoursFrom $68by Fitzroy Island Adventures
Nestled within the Great Barrier Reef, the Green Island Fly & Cruise Package offers a tantalizing blend of aerial and marine adventures—what secrets await on this tropical paradise?
★ 4.5“It was better than I expected. See the reef from the sky is just amazing. Good team, good organization.”
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117 reviews9.5 hoursFrom $303by GSL Aviation
Cairns is my launchpad for the reef and the world's oldest rainforest; both sit within day-trip reach.