Fitzroy Island Full-Day Trip from Cairns

About This Experience

Fitzroy Island Adventures runs this day on the island from the Cairns waterfront, and with 1,980 reviews it is one of the busiest island trips on the reef. Fitzroy is a granite continental island about 29 km off Cairns, covered in national park rainforest and ringed by fringing reef, so the coral starts a short swim from the sand. The crossing takes about 45 minutes on an air-conditioned catamaran.

Once the ferry ties up you have up to seven hours on the island, and the whole day is yours to plan. There is no guide walking you around: crew hand out a map on the way over, point out the better snorkelling spots and take bookings for extras. Most people split the day between the water off the beach near the jetty, one of the five national park walking tracks and a lazy hour on the sand. Reviewers regularly mention green turtles and schools of reef fish close to shore, though sightings are never guaranteed.

The walking tracks range from about 30 minutes to three hours and suit different fitness levels. The longer climbs lead to lookouts over the Coral Sea and out towards the lighthouse, while shorter walks head through the rainforest to quieter beaches such as Nudey Beach. If you plan to hike, go in the cooler morning and save the swim for afterwards.

The price you see is a starting point. Snorkel gear, a glass-bottom boat trip and a picnic lunch are chosen when you book, so check which package you are paying for. Past guests have also added a guided snorkel with the resident marine biologist, and there is a cafe on the island for food and drinks if you skip the picnic option.

The trip suits families, walkers and confident swimmers who want reef and rainforest in one easy day without an open-ocean crossing to the outer reef. It is also a relaxed choice for anyone who gets seasick on longer boat rides. Pack swimwear, a towel, a sun hat, reef-safe sunscreen and water, and wear shoes you can hike in if you plan to tackle the summit track.

Highlights

• Up to seven hours on Fitzroy Island to plan exactly as you like
• Snorkel the fringing reef straight off the beach, with turtles often spotted near the jetty
• Choose from five national park walking tracks, from 30-minute strolls to a three-hour climb
• Hike up to lookouts over the Coral Sea and the island's lighthouse
• Swim and relax at Nudey Beach and the sheltered bays around the island
• A short 45-minute crossing from Cairns on an air-conditioned catamaran

What's Included

• ✓ Return ferry from Cairns on an air-conditioned catamaran
• ✓ Up to 7 hours on Fitzroy Island
• ✓ Access to the national park walking trails and beaches
• ✓ Snorkel gear or a glass-bottom boat activity, if selected at booking
• ✓ Picnic lunch, if selected at booking

Not Included

• Snorkel gear or the glass-bottom boat unless it is part of the package you book
• Lunch unless the picnic package is selected at booking
• Food and drinks bought at the island cafe
• Guided activities on the island, such as a guided snorkel with the marine biologist

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sun hat
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Refillable water bottle
• Walking shoes if you plan to hike

Good to Know & Caveats

• The base price covers the ferry and island access; snorkel gear, the glass-bottom boat and lunch depend on the package you choose at booking.
• The day is self-guided. Crew brief you on the way over, but nobody leads you around the island unless you book a guided extra.
• The five walking tracks take from about 30 minutes to three hours, and the longer climbs are steep and hot in the middle of the day.
• Child rates apply from 4 to 15 years, and children under 4 travel free.
• Turtles and reef fish are common off the beach but never guaranteed, and visibility changes with the weather. Stinger suits are recommended in stinger season, roughly November to May.
• Smoking is not allowed on this trip.

Meeting Point

Check in at the Fitzroy Island ferry departure point at Marlin Marina, beside the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront.