Green Island Day Trip from Cairns with Beaches Transfers
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Cruise to Green Island from Cairns and find a tropical paradise on the Great Barrier Reef. You'll spend either four or five hours at Green Island, with plenty of time to snorkel or tour the reef on a glass-bottom boat or view coral from a semi-submersible submarine.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Wheelchair accessibility is available but limited. Passengers must have some mobility and/or the presence of a carer who can assist them.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Green Island Cruise - Day Tour (Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise)
Explore the Great Barrier Reef island either with a glass bottom boat tour or snorkelling equipment.
Green Island National Park
Walk through the rainforest or enjoy exploring the coral gardens the the beach.
What‘s Included
Choice of a glass-bottom boat tour or use of snorkeling gear for the day
Return hotel transfers from Northern Beaches accommodation
Cruise transfers to and from Green Island by modern air-conditioned catamaran
Buffet lunch (if option selected)
Semi-submersible tour (if option is selected)
Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax)
Morning tea / coffee
Optional activities. (Can be booked locally, subject to availability. Payable locally. Introductory Scuba Dive AU$152, Seawalker Helmut Dive AU$165, Semi-submersible Coral Viewing Tour AU$20)
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Flotation vests and lycra suits are available for hire
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
9am Cruise Only
Green Island round trip cruise; 5 hours on Green Island,and the choice of a glass-bottom boat tour or use of snorkel gear.
Pickup included
9am with Lunch & Semi-Sub
Semi-Submarine Tour: View coral and marine life from below the waters surface while keeping dry on this 30 minute tour
Buffet Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch served on board the Big Cat vessel
Pickup included
9am with Lunch
Buffet Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch served on board the Big Cat vessel
Pickup included
9am with Semi-Submarine Tour
Semi-Submarine Tour: View coral and marine life from below the waters surface while keeping dry on this 30 minute tour
Pickup included
Reviews
14 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We had a great time. The...
Tony S,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00We had a great time. The company was efficient in all the things they do. My wife was thrilled with the options: glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible, for non snorkeling guests. The variety of sea life was amazing, fish turtles, stingrays, coral.
Amazing day
yvonnem779,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience from start to finish, the staff were helpful and friendly they arranged a snorkeling guid in the island his name was Anzac he was amazing took time explaining everything and taking us to the best places to see turtles and other sealife
Very good organization.
Olivier S,Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00A very well-oiled organization. The buffet on board is very correct. The staff is very professional and efficient.
Beautiful island, great place to spend a day
Joanne A,Nov 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00A wonderful day exploring Green Island, such a beautiful experience. The island delivers as a day trip in so many ways. So many fish to see snorkelling in such close proximity to the beach.
Not what was shown in the pictures!
Marat F,Sep 24, 2024
- Review from Viator
3.00The boarding and the catamaran was good and the trip was calm. My main disappointment was the snorkeling which is the main reason for coming to Green island. Saw almost no corals at all and a few fish despite going to the designated snorkeling areas. Mostly just sand and sea grass. Pictures when booking showed a different story.
Summary
Karen G,Jul 23, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00Good way to see and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and spend the day at the beach. The snorkeling was a little disappointing. The island itself does not have a lot in it. Bird feces are everywhere. The submersible activity is worth it as well.
Great day out
Isobel L,Feb 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We left Cairns in a tropical downpour. We left the clouds behind us and were greeted with sun and a turtle as we walked to the island. The snorkelling was easy to access, there were many beautiful beaches to sit on and there was everything you needed accessible in the resort
Very pleasant and relaxing.
759treacyb,Aug 31, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Beautiful Island . The variety of lunch options on the Island limited eg no cake available. Beautiful walk around the Island.
Easy to enjoy close Great Barrier Reef Island
Road440996,Dec 28, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great full day cruise, with catamaran return transfer direct from Cairns marina. Easy booking service, checkin and launch. Although the onboard boat staff appear busy, your needs are met. The tour included a glass bottom boat tour of the surrounding reef, showing huge tropical fish, live coral, large clams, turtles, reef sharks and marine life. We took our own snorkel equipment and stinger suits, the on-site life guard was very helpful, informative and friendly. This way, you can enjoy and experience everything the island has to offer. The island team are great, providing exceptional professional service. You can snorkel directly from shore and will instantly see huge tropical fish, memo and turtles. The resort had great amenities, and will make a perfect mid year tropical island getaway. As the island is teaming with birds, you’re greated at the jetty with bird life, the rooms and accommodation is further away and relaxing. The crocodile enclosures and show is fabulous, the family team are passionate and love their crocodiles as their treasured family. The passion for the crocodiles is high and genuine. Well worth the small entry fee. The kids and adults alike loved the personalised crocodile feeding tour. The natural rainforest on the island is in pristine condition and easy to walk along the timber boardwalks. This is a great way to easily experiencing and enjoy Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, without seasickness and hassle. The scenic Green Island is surrounded by Cairns city and nearby mountains and islands. A great day trip and holiday destination.
Snuba one of a kind
Savvytraveller2050,Oct 3, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was an amazing experience out to green island, snorkelling around looking at all different kind of fish. The best part of the day was when we went out to snuba diving with benny the instructor, it was the most wonderful experience ever. When we got to the bottom we had the opportunity to feed the fish that was around us with the specialised fish food which was just an awesome experience. A big thanks to benny for making my fiancé and my first time snuba experience so unbelievable. Benny was so knowledgeable and helpful i would recommend it to anyone who wants to try out something amazing.
Related Experiences
Operated by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises