Green Island and Outer Reef Pontoon Day Trip from Cairns

About This Experience

Great Adventures Reef & Island Cruises runs this combined island and outer reef day from the Reef Fleet Terminal. It covers both of the classic Cairns day trips in about eight hours and rates 4.6 from 97 reviews.

The day begins with tea, coffee and a safety briefing before departure, and a slice of cake on the way out. A fast catamaran reaches Green Island in about 45 minutes. You have two hours on the coral cay, with snorkel gear included, time to swim off the beach and to walk the rainforest boardwalk through the national park. Green Island is a coral cay and national park with a resort, so there are toilets, showers and shade close to the beach.

Back on board, it is another 45 minutes to Moore Reef, where Great Adventures moors its outer reef activity platform. You get three hours here. Snorkelling equipment, buoyancy vests and Lycra suits are included, and so is a hot and cold buffet lunch with fresh prawns. A marine biologist gives a reef presentation and runs the fish feeding, the semi-submarine tour comes with commentary, and a marine naturalist gives an eco talk inside the underwater observatory. The return cruise to Cairns takes about 90 minutes, with cheese and biscuits served on the way.

It suits travellers who want a sandy island and the outer reef without booking two trips, and families or groups with non-swimmers, who can see the reef from the semi-submarine and the observatory. Diving, the Scubadoo underwater scooter and helicopter flights are extras, as are drinks and food beyond what is served. Lycra suits are part of the snorkel kit at the platform, handy during the November to May stinger season, and the platform gives plenty of space for those who would sooner sit in the sun.

Hotel pickup is not included, so make your own way to the terminal. If you plan to add a helicopter flight, you must give passenger weights at booking, and the weight limit is 130 kg. Pack swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunscreen and some cash. The from-price is $219 per person, and each extra is paid on top.

Highlights

• Two hours at Green Island, with snorkel gear included
• Three hours at the outer reef activity platform at Moore Reef
• Semi-submarine reef tour and underwater observatory
• Marine biologist reef presentation and fish feeding
• Fast air-conditioned catamaran: about 45 minutes to Green Island and 90 minutes home
• Hot and cold buffet lunch with fresh prawns at the platform

What's Included

• ✓ Return air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise
• ✓ Snorkelling equipment, buoyancy vests and Lycra suits at both stops
• ✓ Hot and cold buffet lunch with fresh prawns
• ✓ Semi-submarine tour and entry to the underwater observatory
• ✓ Marine biologist presentation and fish feeding
• ✓ Morning tea cake, afternoon tea and coffee, and cheese and biscuits on the way home

Not Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Additional food and drinks (available to purchase)
• Scuba diving
• Scubadoo underwater scooter
• Helicopter flights

What to Bring

• Swimwear and a towel
• Hat and sunscreen
• A camera
• Cash for extras

Good to Know & Caveats

• Tea and coffee are served until departure from Cairns, and there is a safety briefing before you leave.
• For the helicopter extra, passenger weights and carry-on luggage must be given at booking, and the weight limit is 130 kg.
• The catamaran can be bumpy in rough weather; bring seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.
• Turtles and reef sharks are sometimes seen at Green Island and Moore Reef but are never guaranteed.
• Drones are not allowed.

Meeting Point

Meet Great Adventures at the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront; the starting point is confirmed for the option you book.