Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Escape to Fitzroy Island, a tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef located only 45 minutes by high-speed ferry from Cairns. Spend your day doing as much or as little as you please; relax on the beach, swim and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, take a glass-bottom boat tour – the choice is yours. You have the option to include only the round-trip ferry from Cairns, or to make the most of your day on Fitzroy Island, select the Activity Pass option which includes snorkeling gear, stinger suit and a glass-bottom boat tour. Select the Activity Pass Plus Lunch and lunch will also be included! Note: this option must be selected to have lunch included.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please bring sandals/reef shoes as beach is covered in old coral
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Glass-bottom boat tour (if option selected)
Use of stinger suit (if option selected)
Use of snorkel gear (if option selected)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
All Fees and Taxes
Picnic lunch - 20 USD
Fitzroy Island is one of the most unspoiled islands on the Great Barrier Reef, located only 18.5 miles (30 km) from Cairns. The ocean and reef surrounding the island are protected as Marine National Park and are teeming with turtles, clown fish, hard and soft corals allowing a great snorkeling experience right off the beach. Your day begins with check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns from 8:15am for the Fitzroy Island high-speed ferry departing at 9am. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life during the 45-minute crossing or simply relax inside the cabin. On Fitzroy Island, you can enjoy the day swimming and relaxing on the beach. If you like to explore on foot, the island features excellent hiking trails that wind through the rain forest and along the coast. The underwater world offers plenty of wonders as well, with multitudes of colorful fish and coral that can be spotted when snorkeling. Admire the rainbow colors of the parrotfish, watch clown fish darting in and out of anemones and see how many types of other marine critters you can spot in the wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef. Upgrade to the Activity Pass that includes a glass-bottom boat tour, snorkel gear, the use of stand-up paddle boards, paddle skis and a floating ocean trampoline. A delicious picnic lunch is also included as part of the Activity Pass. You may be able to check out water floats and other gear for children depending on availability, making this a family-friendly way to enjoy your island experience.
Glass bottom boat tour
Transfers + GBB + Snorkelling : Return ferry transfers to Fitzroy Island for a full day, snorkelling gear hire & glass bottom boat tour included.
No lunch included
Inclusions: Includes return ferry transfers and snorkelling gear hire. Full day or half day option
Island Transfer Full Day: Return transfers + up to 6 hours exploring Fitzroy Island. No lunch included.
* For comfortable snorkellers
Inclusions: Includes return ferry transfers to Fitzroy Island and a guided snorkel safari.
Glass bottom boat tour
No lunch included
Transfers + Glass Bottom boat: Return ferry transfers to Fitzroy Island and glass bottom boat included. Full day or half day option.
Island Transfer Half Day: Return transfers + 2 hours exploring Fitzroy Island. No lunch included.
652 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
thomas d,
May 23, 2025
- Viator
Boat broke down and the had 100s of school kids on board. Awful. Took over an hour to get back, no water or anything offered.
Tom M,
Mar 15, 2025
- Viator
We were a little disappointed with this trip in that there was very little information given out. There was no commentary on the boat trip as to where we were going and what places we were passing. On arrival at Fitzroy Island there was no information regarding any glass bottom boat tours. No information was given about having to pay extra for changing room lockers, when we could in fact have left our belongings with the tour lifeguard at their gazebo tent for free. However, the highlight of the trip was the actual snorkeling tour over the reefs with the accompaniment of Georgie (the Marine Biologist)
Sherrie K,
Feb 25, 2025
- Viator
Beautiful island. Lots of walking on rough terrain. Be sure to bring walking shoes if you want to see the sights. Beaches are nice, no sand so you’re walking on shells and broken coral pieces
Miguel S,
Feb 17, 2025
- Viator
The trip to the island was fine but the return was awfull, very very hot and humid inside the boat, when i asked them why it was that hot they told me it’s because of the wet season, I understand it but why don’t you just install more ac’s inside the boat?, I have fine this trip two more times and the other ships where cool inside. Also the equipamiento rental was worst than with other companies because they give to you the find and mask at the boat and you need to return it at the boat, wich means that you have to carry with them and the stinger suit all day, wich is very annoying, with other companies you get the equipment from the hotel and you can return it whenever you want even though if it’s 1-2-3 pm and your boat comes at 4.
June B,
Feb 14, 2025
- Viator
My son, his girlfriend and I walked to nudey beach. It was beautiful and the snorkeling was fantastic 😍
Operated by Fitzroy Island Adventures