105 CUSTOMER REVIEWS
There are a number of different day tour options for visiting Green Island. These include half or full day tours, travelling by high speed ferry.
Special Family Pricing
We offer special rates for families on all Green Island Ferry & Day Tour experiences. All of our family rates are based on the following:
Family pricing may change slightly depending on the tour options you choose. Please check the booking form for up to date family pricing for your group.
The Great Adventures Green Island Ferry departs Cairns 3 times daily. Your journey to Great Island takes only 45 minutes.
You can choose the Eco (Snorkeling or Glass Bottom Boat) or the Discovery (Snorkeling & Glass Bottom Boat)
Features
Cairns to Green Island Departures
Green Island to Cairns Departures
Additional Boat Snorkel Trip | $54 Adult | $38 Child
The boat snorkel trip gives you the opportunity to experience much more of Green Island's amazing marine life. After a short 5-7 minutes trip offshore, you will be at one of our four beautiful dive and snorkel sites, about 1.5km from Green Island. Be ready to snorkel amongst colourful marine life and coral gardens, as our lifeguard supervises and directs you to the best areas of the site. (buoyancy vests included)
The Big Cat Full Day Green Island Tour departs Cairns at 9am and returns at 5pm. You have the option to include Snorkeling Gear, Glass Bottom Boat, Buffet Lunch & a Semi-Sub Tour.
Surrounded by white sandy beaches and beautiful coral gardens, Green Island offers the best elements of the tropics in one destination: beautiful island beaches, shady emerald rainforest and a world-renowned coral reef.
Green Island the ideal place to enjoy a day of resting on the beach or enjoying some of the many activities available. Snorkel, swim or simply relax...
Big Cat is a comfortable air-conditioned 35 metre catamaran with spacious interior cabins and a relaxed atmosphere. Travel time to Green Island is just over one hour from Cairns.
Cairns to Green Island Departures
Green Island to Cairns Departure
Package Options
Pak 1: Return ferry transfers, Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel equipment
Pak 2: Return ferry transfers, Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel equipment and Hot/Cold Buffet lunch
Pak 3: Return ferry transfers, Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel equipment and Semi-Submersible
Pak 4: Return ferry transfers, Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel equipment, Hot/Cold Buffet lunch and Semi-Submersible
Snorkel at Green Island
Snorkel Green Island in the clear cool Great Barrier Reef island waters at your leisure from the beach. Enjoy the number one activity for passengers staying in Cairns, only 45 minutes away.
Mask, snorkel and fins are included with the hire of snorkel gear. Lycra suits and floatation vests are available for hire. On your journey to Green Island safe snorkel tips are given and there is a life guard service operating at the island.
No need to pay extra, our passengers can choose this equipment as part of their free inclusion or have the option of a Glass bottom boat tour instead.
Prescription masks available at no extra cost.
Glass Bottom Boat Option
Experience Green Island’s underwater world, part of the Great Barrier Reef on a 30 minute Glass Bottom Boat tour. View the diversity of the reefs coral gardens and their wonderful array of sea life with the added fun of lively fish feeding. A commentary by your driver enables you to learn about the Great Barrier Reef and the different types of corals and fish that can be found surrounding beautiful Green Island.
No need to pay extra, our passengers can choose this tour as part of their free inclusion or have the option of snorkeling equipment instead.
Buffet Lunch Option
A delicious buffet lunch is served aboard ‘Big Cat’ at Green Island for those who have chosen this option. Our licensed bar on board offers refreshments throughout the day.
Semi-Submarine/Submersible
Explorer the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef in air-conditioned comfort on our Semi-Submersible… without even getting wet! Seated below water level, passengers are treated to a divers view of the coral reef and marine life with informative commentary by the crew and see the lively fish feeding. This vessel seats 27 passengers and cruises for 30 minutes. Semi-Sub is $20 when pre-booked in a package or $30 if booked on the day of the tour.
The Reef Rocket afternoon Half Day departs at 1pm and returns at 5pm.
The Green Island Reef Rocket is a modern, comfortable, air-conditioned, high speed catamaran. Travel time to Green Island is 45 minutes from Cairns.
Green Island is ideal for families with children as the sandy beaches very gradually become deeper. A perfect place to practice snorkelling. There are also many shady retreats under trees. Activities for hire include canoes, surf skis or beach volleyball gear. Beach umbrellas and sunlounges are also available for hire.
Reef Rocket Cairns to Green Island Options
1.00pm - 5.00pm (Check in at 12.30pm)
Snorkelling at Green Island
Snorkelling Green Island in the clear cool Great Barrier Reef island waters at your leisure from the beach. Enjoy the number one activity for passengers staying in Cairns, only 45 minutes away.
Mask, snorkel and fins are included with the hire of snorkel gear. Lycra suits and floatation vests are available for hire. On your journey to Green Island safe snorkel tips are given and there is a life guard service operating at the island.
No need to pay extra, our passengers can choose this equipment as part of their free inclusion or have the option of a Glass bottom boat tour instead.
Prescription masks available at no extra cost.
Glass Bottom Boat Option
Experience Green Island’s underwater world, part of the Great Barrier Reef on a 30 minute Glass Bottom Boat tour. View the diversity of the reefs coral gardens and their wonderful array of sea life with the added fun of lively fish feeding. A commentary by your driver enables you to learn about the Great Barrier Reef and the different types of corals and fish that can be found surrounding beautiful Green Island.
No need to pay extra, our passengers can choose this tour as part of their free inclusion or have the option of snorkeling equipment instead.
Semi-Submarine/Submersible
Pre-book your Semi-Submarine tour and save $10. Semi-Submarine is $30/person if booked on the day. Explore the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef in air-conditioned comfort on our Semi-Submersible… without even getting wet! Seated below water level, passengers are treated to a divers view of the coral reef and marine life with informative commentary by the crew and see the lively fish feeding. This vessel seats 27 passengers and cruises for 30 minutes.
Ocean Free is a beautiful 63ft schooner, which sails daily to tropical Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
This is the only boat operating out of Cairns to offer a personalised reef, sail and island experience all in the one tour.
Sail to exclusive mooring on Pinnacle Reef, just 1km offshore from Green Island. This Marine Park Reserve is protected from fishing and has an abundant range of marine life.
Upon arrival at Pinnacle Reef, enjoy a swim, snorkel, scuba dive (extra charge) or just relax. Ocean Free's exclusive mooring ensures that the ocean is uninterrupted by crowds.
The "bommies" (coral outcrops) and coral gardens, are just 1 metre under the surface and are teaming with life. Easily viewed snorkelling and scuba diving (extra charge).
Ocean Free provides tender transfers to Green Island throughout the day, so you can spend time on the reef and the island.
Features
Times
Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal at the Ocean Free counter from 7:15am for an 8:00am departure. Arrive back into Cairns approx 5pm
Smorgasbord lunch
Tropical smorgasbord lunch served onboard including smoked salmon & prawns, meat & chicken platter, 3 salads, assorted breads
Complimentary glass of wine, platters of tropical fruit, cheese and crackers and cake served on the sail home.
Complete your Great Barrier Reef Experience with the ultimate day out by combining Green Island and the Outer Barrier Reef.
Green Island is a superb coral cay with delightful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters on the Great Barrier Reef just 45 minutes from Cairns. You will have 2 hours to explore this perfect piece of paradise.
After spending time on Green Island cruise on-board a modern comfortable high-speed catamaran to the first class multi-level pontoon situated on the Outer Barrier Reef. Spend your afternoon snorkelling in the crystal clear waters, discovering exotic marine life and beautiful coral formations OR stay dry and cruise in the Semi-Sub and visit the Underwater Observatory. There is something here for everybody.
Features
Pontoon Facilities
Your Day
7.30am
Check-in at Great Adventures Reservations Counter inside the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to obtain your boarding pass.
8:00am
Vessel boarding. Complimentary morning tea/coffee served on boarding.
8:30am
Depart Reef Fleet Terminal for Green Island.
9.15am
Arrive Green Island 2 hours free time to explore Green Island…Included snorkel gear, (fins, mask and snorkel) can be obtained from the Dive Shop on the island. Enjoy a leisurely island walk with the self-guided Eco Island Walk or take a dip in the island swimming pool.
11:20am
Re-board vessel for departure to the Great Barrier Reef platform. Cake selection served on forward journey. During your journey to the reef, a Reef Presentation is shown on the vessel’s monitors. Snorkelling demonstration by crew.
12:30pm
Arrive at the Outer Great Barrier Reef platform Reef activities commence…Semi-submersible coral viewing tour with informative commentary departs every 30 minutes or as advised.
Snorkel directly from the platform. Collect your snorkel gear and buoyancy vests once on the platform. Underwater observatory is open throughout the day for coral and fish viewing.
1.00pm
Hot and cold buffet lunch is served. Time for more reef activities or just relax on the sundeck and take in the views! Tea and coffee is available whilst at the platform.
3:30pm
A blast on the ship's horn will signal the time when all passengers should return to the vessel ready for departure.
3:45pm
Departure to Cairns via Green Island. Complimentary cheese and biscuits served on homeward journey.
5:30pm
Arrive Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.
