Full-Day Green Island Cruise from Cairns

About This Experience

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises runs this full-day trip from the Cairns Marlin Marina. It holds a 4.5 rating from 1,722 reviews, and at $77 per person it is one of the lowest-priced boat trips from Cairns on this site.

You board a modern catamaran with inside and outside seating for the crossing to Green Island, a coral cay inside a national park. The whole outing takes about eight hours, leaving plenty of time on the island to walk the beaches, swim and explore at your own pace. Green Island lies about 27 km off Cairns, roughly 45 minutes by fast catamaran, so the crossing is short and most of the day is spent ashore. Several guests mention a marine biologist talking about the reef on the ride back.

The base fare covers the catamaran trip and a choice of snorkelling gear or a glass-bottom boat tour, with safety gear provided. Two extras depend on the option you book: a buffet lunch, and a semi-submarine tour for seeing the coral and fish without getting wet. Check which option you are booking, because lunch and the semi-submarine are not in every fare.

The trip suits families, beach lovers and first-time snorkellers who want a relaxed day more than a long stretch at the outer reef. Guests regularly report turtles close to shore, though the coral off the beach can feel far out at low tide, so snorkelling around high tide tends to be easier. Big Cat also runs half-day morning and afternoon Green Island cruises and a later-start full day under separate listings. Stinger suits are recommended from about November to May, so check whether your option supplies one.

Pack swimwear and a towel, along with sun protection. If you would prefer more structure, the <a href='/tours/green-island-full-day-and-half-day-cruise-from-cairns/'>Great Adventures Green Island cruise</a> adds a marine biologist walk and a guest pool. For more time at the outer reef, look at the <a href='/tours/green-island-and-outer-reef-pontoon-day-trip-from-cairns/'>Green Island and outer reef pontoon day</a>. The from-price is $77 per person for the base fare.

Highlights

• Full day of about eight hours at Green Island National Park
• Modern catamaran with inside and outside seating
• Snorkel gear or a glass-bottom boat tour in the base fare
• Optional semi-submarine tour to see the coral dry
• Optional buffet lunch
• Free time on the island's beaches and in the water

What's Included

• ✓ Return catamaran trip from Cairns
• ✓ Snorkelling gear or a glass-bottom boat tour
• ✓ Safety gear
• ✓ Lunch (if your option includes it)
• ✓ Semi-submarine tour (if your option includes it)

Not Included

• Lunch, unless your option includes it
• Semi-submarine tour, unless your option includes it
• Scuba diving (not among the listed inclusions)

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and snacks, or money for lunch if your option does not include it

Good to Know & Caveats

• Lunch and the semi-submarine tour depend on the option you book; the base fare covers the catamaran and snorkel gear or a glass-bottom boat tour.
• Beach snorkelling is easier around high tide; at low tide the coral can be a long swim out.
• Rain and wind can make the water less inviting on some days, especially in the cooler months.
• Turtles are often spotted near the shore but are never guaranteed.

Meeting Point

Meet the Big Cat crew at the Cairns Marlin Marina on the waterfront next to the Reef Fleet Terminal.