Aerial view of Green Island surrounded by turquoise reef
Back Highly recommendedVerified as Loop's Top 10Last reviewed October 2026

Big Cat – Fitzroy and Green Island Combo with Buffet Lunch

from A$236
8 hours 30 mins
Cairns
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (24 hours prior)

Two very different islands in one day from Cairns. Start with rainforest walks and beach snorkelling on Fitzroy Island, then cruise to Green Island at 11:45am for more than three hours on a coral cay, with snorkel gear at both islands and the Big Cat buffet served on board at lunchtime.

  • Aerial view of Green Island surrounded by turquoise reef
  • Boats moored in the bay below the rainforest hills of Fitzroy Island
  • Woman on the rocks overlooking a beach on Fitzroy Island
  • Children splashing in the shallows beside the Green Island jetty
  • Clear turquoise water lapping white sand at Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island
  • Two snorkellers floating over coral in turquoise water off Fitzroy Island
  • Aerial view of Green Island surrounded by turquoise reef
  • Boats moored in the bay below the rainforest hills of Fitzroy Island
  • Woman on the rocks overlooking a beach on Fitzroy Island
  • Children splashing in the shallows beside the Green Island jetty
  • Clear turquoise water lapping white sand at Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island
  • Two snorkellers floating over coral in turquoise water off Fitzroy Island

Quick read before you book.

  • Rainforest island and coral cay in a single day
  • Beach snorkelling over two different reef types
  • Lazy swim at Fitzroy Island's Nudey Beach
  • Lunchtime buffet on board the Big Cat at Green Island
  • More than six hours of island time

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
4.1 Stars|574 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. Pack reef safe sunscreen and seasickness tablets if you need them, and make the most of your island time.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Return cruise from Cairns to Fitzroy Island and Green Island on an air conditioned catamaran
  • Snorkelling demonstration and reef presentation on the way out
  • Snorkel gear to use at both islands
  • Around 2.5 hours on Fitzroy Island and 3.5 hours on Green Island
  • Island transfer with commentary
  • Marine biology presentation on Green Island
  • Self guided island walks and beaches
  • Use of the Big Cat as your air conditioned base at Green Island

Commonly asked questions.

Head to the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1 Spence Street, Cairns, ahead of the 8:30am departure. Your booking confirmation has the exact boarding point, so check it the afternoon before you travel.

You can cancel or change your date free of charge with at least 24 hours notice. Cancellations with less notice, and no shows, are charged the full fare.

If conditions are poor you can move to the next suitable day at no cost, subject to availability. If the trip cannot run and you cannot reschedule, you receive a full refund.

Yes. Both islands have walking tracks, beaches and shallow water, and flotation vests are available, so you can enjoy the day without snorkelling. Our guide to the Great Barrier Reef for non swimmers has more ideas.

Yes. Children aged 4 to 14 pay the child fare, under 4s travel free but must be added to your booking, and anyone under 16 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Prams are welcome on board and on boardwalks, though not practical on the sand.

The Big Cat buffet is served on board at Green Island from 11:15am to 1:15pm, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes. Drinks and snacks are sold at the licensed bar, and BYO alcohol is not allowed on the vessels or the island.

Pack swimwear, a towel, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and some money for drinks or souvenirs. From November to May, read up on stinger season in Cairns and wear the lycra suit supplied with your snorkel gear.
Guests with vision or hearing impairments are welcome and crew help with boarding, but wheelchair access varies by vessel, so contact the operator before booking. Paid parking is at the Pier opposite the terminal, or see our guide to getting around Cairns without a car.

More about this tour.

Most reef days from Cairns give you one island. This one gives you two, and they could not be more different. You leave Cairns at 8:30am on an air conditioned catamaran, with a snorkelling demonstration and reef presentation on the way out, and step onto Fitzroy Island first: steep rainforest, granite boulders and coral right off the beach.You get around two and a half hours on Fitzroy to walk the rainforest tracks, swim and snorkel off the shore, or claim a patch of sand at Nudey Beach. If you want a full day on this island alone, our Fitzroy Island day tour gives you the extra time.At 11:45am you cruise across to Green Island, a flat coral cay ringed by white sand and fringing reef, with commentary along the way. You have about three and a half hours here to snorkel from the beach, catch the marine biology presentation and wander the boardwalks, with the Big Cat moored at the jetty as your air conditioned base. The Big Cat buffet is served on board at Green Island between 11:15am and 1:15pm.Snorkel gear is yours to use at both islands, so you can compare a continental island reef with a coral cay reef in the same day. Prefer to settle into one island? The Green Island full day tour is the slower paced option.Explore the two island itinerary, check availability for your dates and book your seats on the 8:30am departure.

Additional info.

  • Departs 8:30am from the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Your confirmation shows the boarding point.
  • Children aged 4 to 14 travel at the child rate and under 4s travel free but must be booked.
  • Lycra suits come with snorkel gear and are worth wearing from November to May.