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“Loved the snorkelling and hike, was a wonderful experience!”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“Was good, but while booking the included activities were not clear and we had some misunderstandings. As it states snorkeling and glass bottom boat cruise is included, however upon arrival it was a separate activity and should be paid for separately. Other than that, Green…”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“The tour included everything that was described and the crew was very punctual and polite. We chose the glass bottom boat and our guide was very knowledgeable and we had a good 30 minute explanation of the coral barrier reef ecosystem and all the animals…”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“Had an amazing day trip to Fitzroy Island and couldn’t be happier with the experience! Hannah was so lovely, and the rest of the team were incredibly helpful and friendly. Even though the weather wasn’t the best, the crew handled everything perfectly — and honestly,…”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“Giving 4 stars mainly because the departure time was not specified in the listing. And neither in the ticket auto-sent upon confirmation of payment. So I was assuming (wrongly) it's around 5pm-ish same as the Fitzroy Flyer. But turned out it's 4pm, and so I…”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“Unforgettable. The crew was super friendly, professional and respectful. This was my very first time snorkeling and I’m terrified of the ocean. I was feeling so comfortable with them that when I realised I was having fun and enjoying swimminRead more”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“This was a great experience, the boat was not overcrowded and the guides onboard were all so friendly. The beach was absolutely beautiful, definitely recommend.”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“Snorkeling the reef is the highlight of the day’s experience. The crocodiles are a lot of fun. Great day !”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“Fantastic day out on a beautiful island would highly recommend it to anyone beautiful beaches beautiful water plenty of fish to see why snorkeling and cold beers what more do you need”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“We really enjoyed the snorkeling time at the Great Barrier Reef and the time spent at Fitzroy Island. However, the buffet didn’t have chicken option so that could be improved due dietary choices. Apart from that, everything was amazing. The staff in the counter, the…”
★★★★★★★★★★
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.”
★★★★★★★★★★
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“An amazing experience, everything was just perfect, kind staff and a very special day to experience the great barrier. Highly recommended”
★★★★★★★★★★
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.