Green Island Half-Day Trip from Cairns

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Explore the tropical paradise of Green Island on a half day trip from Cairns. Enjoy around two hours exploring the Great Barrier Reef island with plenty of time to snorkel. You can even take an optional semi-submersible submarine tour to get close to the reef without getting wet.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

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

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises - Day Tour

This is where guests start their tour, at the Reef Fleet Terminal.

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Green Island Cruise - Day Tour (Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise)

Spend time at Green Island either snorkelling or join a glass bottom boat tour

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Glass bottom boat tour (if selected)

Semi-submersible tour (if selected)

Cruise transfers to and from Green Island by modern air-conditioned catamaran

Use of Snorkel Gear (if selected)

Optional activities. (Can be booked locally, subject to availability. Payable directly on the day)

Food and drinks (available to purchase)

No transfer pick up/drop off

Options

1pm Cruise - Transfer Only

No other inclusions

9am Cruise + Glass Bottom Boat

Includes a Glass Bottom Boat

9amCruise + SemiSub + Snk Gear

Semi-submarine + Snorkel Gear: Semi-submarine tour is available while enjoying your time on Green Island AM Tour 9AM

1pm Cruise + Snorkel Gear

1pm Cruise : Green Island roundtrip cruise; 2 hrs free time and use of snorkel gear.

1pmCruise + SemiSub + Snk Gear

Semi-submarine + Snorkel Gear: Semi-submarine tour is available while enjoying your time on Green Island PM Tour 1PM

1pm Cruise + Glass Bottom Boat

Includes Glass Bottom Boat

9am Cruise - Transfers Only

No other inclusions

9am Cruise + Snorkel Gear

9am Cruise Only: Green Island roundtrip cruise; 2 hrs free time and use of snorkel gear. NO hotel pickup included in this option

Reviews

4.12

217 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

121

Glass bottom boat is awesome!
Ashley J,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Just go… we did n we loved it the staff from big cat are awesome!! Half day was great even though the weather wasn’t perfect the entire experience was to our comfort.
Perfect for Non-Swimmers
KimP715,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
As a non-swimmer, this half day tour was perfect! 900-945 catamaran from Marina Wharf to Green Island, 945-1115 free time, 1115-1145 glass bottom boat, 1200-1245 catamaran back to Cairns. Thanks to beautiful weather, it was a pleasant journey with lots of sea life visible on the glass bottom boat. Also had enough time to grab a snack, dip my toes in the water and take a short stroll. Some people managed to squeeze in snorkeling which seems a bit rushed to be honest (but, you do you). Getting there and back can be a choppy ride so bring your seasick pills.
Don't snorkel. No worries. do both boats.
Kerry T,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
we had great weather on this trip. As none of us wanted to snorkel, We were able to change to the glass bottom boat and the semi sub. Same coral. fish and oceon. Different views. Just see Big Cat counter in the Reef Fleet Terminal. Amazing trip.
The 4 hour trip to Greenisland with snorkeling and semi-sub is just a tourist trap with no value.
Johann H,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
This tour is just a flop. 50 min to get to Greenisland and the same back. This means you may have 2 hours at the island for snorkeling and semi-sub drive. The timing for boarding the semi-sub allows you in maximum a snorkeling time of 30 min. For boarding the semi-sub you have to wait 30 min. The drive is only 15 min. If it is strong windy as it was for us you won't see any fish.
Green Island
qiaofaz,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Green Island is so beautiful, it's definitely worth a visit.
Weather makes a difference
Tony I,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
It wasn’t the greatest experience because it was a very windy day and the water was murky Really not much to do on Green Island.
A great trip.
O3955SJjaninem,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a lovely afternoon at Green Island and particularly enjoyed the glass bottom boat.
Nice cruise to an overcrowded island
Stacy W,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
A beautiful day for the 45 minute cruise to Green Island. The island itself is very crowded and we felt that we could’ve spent our time better.
Green Island 1/2 day tour
Linda H,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Comfortable fast ride to Green Island. We then walked along the boardwalk through the national park and did the glass bottom boat tour. Many people were snorkelling. It was a very enjoyable 1/2 day tour
Time crunch, stinger suit damp and smelly, well organized and operated, great staff
Susan P,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
If you do the half day, you will not have time for snorkeling if you choose the semi-submersible or glass bottom boat (about 20 minutes by the time you get the stinger suit on etc). So even though it's marketed as both, you reall won't get to do both. It is feasible to do the glass bottom boat and the semi-submersible. Do the full day if you can. The jetty goes back and forth from Cairns all day; it's unfortunate that you can't come back on a later one and get 2/3 of a day, but they do not offer this. The stinger suit I was given was damp and it smelled! This was the first trip out that day, so it must have been sitting damp overnight. I didn't even try to go snorkeling because the idea of putting that on was unappealing. The jetty is very nice, and the operation was run very smoothly. The staff was fantastic. Green Island is beautiful. The price is very reasonable compared to what our ship offered, but you do have timing issues when you go with a private company because they do not cater as much to cruise passengers as they do to land tourists.

Related Experiences

Operated by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises

Green Island Half-Day Trip from Cairns

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

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

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises - Day Tour

This is where guests start their tour, at the Reef Fleet Terminal.

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Green Island Cruise - Day Tour (Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruise)

Spend time at Green Island either snorkelling or join a glass bottom boat tour

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Glass bottom boat tour (if selected)

Semi-submersible tour (if selected)

Cruise transfers to and from Green Island by modern air-conditioned catamaran

Use of Snorkel Gear (if selected)

Optional activities. (Can be booked locally, subject to availability. Payable directly on the day)

Food and drinks (available to purchase)

No transfer pick up/drop off

Options

1pm Cruise - Transfer Only

No other inclusions

9am Cruise + Glass Bottom Boat

Includes a Glass Bottom Boat

9amCruise + SemiSub + Snk Gear

Semi-submarine + Snorkel Gear: Semi-submarine tour is available while enjoying your time on Green Island AM Tour 9AM

1pm Cruise + Snorkel Gear

1pm Cruise : Green Island roundtrip cruise; 2 hrs free time and use of snorkel gear.

1pmCruise + SemiSub + Snk Gear

Semi-submarine + Snorkel Gear: Semi-submarine tour is available while enjoying your time on Green Island PM Tour 1PM

1pm Cruise + Glass Bottom Boat

Includes Glass Bottom Boat

9am Cruise - Transfers Only

No other inclusions

9am Cruise + Snorkel Gear

9am Cruise Only: Green Island roundtrip cruise; 2 hrs free time and use of snorkel gear. NO hotel pickup included in this option

Reviews

4.12

217 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

121

Glass bottom boat is awesome!
Ashley J,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Just go… we did n we loved it the staff from big cat are awesome!! Half day was great even though the weather wasn’t perfect the entire experience was to our comfort.
Perfect for Non-Swimmers
KimP715,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
As a non-swimmer, this half day tour was perfect! 900-945 catamaran from Marina Wharf to Green Island, 945-1115 free time, 1115-1145 glass bottom boat, 1200-1245 catamaran back to Cairns. Thanks to beautiful weather, it was a pleasant journey with lots of sea life visible on the glass bottom boat. Also had enough time to grab a snack, dip my toes in the water and take a short stroll. Some people managed to squeeze in snorkeling which seems a bit rushed to be honest (but, you do you). Getting there and back can be a choppy ride so bring your seasick pills.
Don't snorkel. No worries. do both boats.
Kerry T,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
we had great weather on this trip. As none of us wanted to snorkel, We were able to change to the glass bottom boat and the semi sub. Same coral. fish and oceon. Different views. Just see Big Cat counter in the Reef Fleet Terminal. Amazing trip.
The 4 hour trip to Greenisland with snorkeling and semi-sub is just a tourist trap with no value.
Johann H,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
This tour is just a flop. 50 min to get to Greenisland and the same back. This means you may have 2 hours at the island for snorkeling and semi-sub drive. The timing for boarding the semi-sub allows you in maximum a snorkeling time of 30 min. For boarding the semi-sub you have to wait 30 min. The drive is only 15 min. If it is strong windy as it was for us you won't see any fish.
Green Island
qiaofaz,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Green Island is so beautiful, it's definitely worth a visit.
Weather makes a difference
Tony I,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
It wasn’t the greatest experience because it was a very windy day and the water was murky Really not much to do on Green Island.
A great trip.
O3955SJjaninem,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a lovely afternoon at Green Island and particularly enjoyed the glass bottom boat.
Nice cruise to an overcrowded island
Stacy W,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
A beautiful day for the 45 minute cruise to Green Island. The island itself is very crowded and we felt that we could’ve spent our time better.
Green Island 1/2 day tour
Linda H,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Comfortable fast ride to Green Island. We then walked along the boardwalk through the national park and did the glass bottom boat tour. Many people were snorkelling. It was a very enjoyable 1/2 day tour
Time crunch, stinger suit damp and smelly, well organized and operated, great staff
Susan P,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
If you do the half day, you will not have time for snorkeling if you choose the semi-submersible or glass bottom boat (about 20 minutes by the time you get the stinger suit on etc). So even though it's marketed as both, you reall won't get to do both. It is feasible to do the glass bottom boat and the semi-submersible. Do the full day if you can. The jetty goes back and forth from Cairns all day; it's unfortunate that you can't come back on a later one and get 2/3 of a day, but they do not offer this. The stinger suit I was given was damp and it smelled! This was the first trip out that day, so it must have been sitting damp overnight. I didn't even try to go snorkeling because the idea of putting that on was unappealing. The jetty is very nice, and the operation was run very smoothly. The staff was fantastic. Green Island is beautiful. The price is very reasonable compared to what our ship offered, but you do have timing issues when you go with a private company because they do not cater as much to cruise passengers as they do to land tourists.