A snorkeller swims underwater near a large sea turtle resting on a coral reef, surrounded by clear blue water and vibrant marine life—an unforgettable experience often enjoyed on a Fitzroy Island Day Tour. | Aussie Loop
Back

Fitzroy Island Day Tour from Cairns

from A$105
10 hours
Cairns
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (48 hours prior)
Multiple options & departures available

Catch the 8am Fitzroy Flyer from Cairns and you get a full day on Fitzroy Island, a national park island 45 minutes offshore, before the 5pm boat home. Walk the rainforest track to Nudey Beach, snorkel straight off the sand, or add a glass bottom boat tour or guided snorkel safari to your day.

  • A snorkeller swims underwater near a large sea turtle resting on a coral reef, surrounded by clear blue water and vibrant marine life—an unforgettable experience often enjoyed on a Fitzroy Island Day Tour. | Aussie Loop
  • Two scuba divers observe and point at various corals on a vibrant reef underwater, surrounded by clear blue water and marine life—a breathtaking experience often enjoyed on a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A small boat travels across clear blue water near a lush, green island with a sandy shoreline under a clear sky—an idyllic scene reminiscent of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Two people walk up a ramp from a sandy shore to a Fitzroy Island Resort boat moored in clear, shallow water under a partly cloudy sky, ready to begin their Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A blue and white catamaran boat approaches a tropical island shore with clear water, distant mountains, and leafy plants in the foreground, capturing the essence of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A woman sits on a rock whilst a man stands nearby on a beach with clear water, rocks, and mountains in the background under a blue sky—capturing the serene beauty of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Two people paddleboard near a tropical beach with clear blue water, palm trees, and a bright sunny sky on a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A woman walks on a forest path past a sign reading “Welcome to Fitzroy Island National Park” in tropical greenery, capturing the serene beginning of her Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A person reaches for chips on a plate with a burger, next to a tropical drink, set on a table overlooking a calm blue sea—capturing the perfect moment during their Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Two drinks sit on a wooden railing overlooking a sunny beach, with a sailboat on the water and a hilly island in the background—perfectly capturing the relaxing atmosphere of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Three plates of food, including fried calamari, tacos, and a burger with chips, are set on a wooden railing overlooking the sea on a sunny day—a perfect moment to savour during your Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A snorkeller swims underwater near a large sea turtle resting on a coral reef, surrounded by clear blue water and vibrant marine life—an unforgettable experience often enjoyed on a Fitzroy Island Day Tour. | Aussie Loop
  • Two scuba divers observe and point at various corals on a vibrant reef underwater, surrounded by clear blue water and marine life—a breathtaking experience often enjoyed on a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A small boat travels across clear blue water near a lush, green island with a sandy shoreline under a clear sky—an idyllic scene reminiscent of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Two people walk up a ramp from a sandy shore to a Fitzroy Island Resort boat moored in clear, shallow water under a partly cloudy sky, ready to begin their Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A blue and white catamaran boat approaches a tropical island shore with clear water, distant mountains, and leafy plants in the foreground, capturing the essence of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A woman sits on a rock whilst a man stands nearby on a beach with clear water, rocks, and mountains in the background under a blue sky—capturing the serene beauty of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Two people paddleboard near a tropical beach with clear blue water, palm trees, and a bright sunny sky on a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A woman walks on a forest path past a sign reading “Welcome to Fitzroy Island National Park” in tropical greenery, capturing the serene beginning of her Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • A person reaches for chips on a plate with a burger, next to a tropical drink, set on a table overlooking a calm blue sea—capturing the perfect moment during their Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Two drinks sit on a wooden railing overlooking a sunny beach, with a sailboat on the water and a hilly island in the background—perfectly capturing the relaxing atmosphere of a Fitzroy Island Day Tour.
  • Three plates of food, including fried calamari, tacos, and a burger with chips, are set on a wooden railing overlooking the sea on a sunny day—a perfect moment to savour during your Fitzroy Island Day Tour.

Quick read before you book.

  • A national park island 45 minutes from Cairns, with reef right off the beach
  • Nudey Beach, once voted Australia's best beach
  • Wild sea turtles cruising the fringing reef
  • Turtle Talks at the island's turtle rehabilitation centre
  • Seven ways to build your day, from ferry only to a guided snorkel safari

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
3.5 Stars|65 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. If you're prone to seasickness, grab a seat upstairs in the fresh air for a comfier crossing.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Return Fitzroy Flyer ferry transfer, Cairns to Fitzroy Island
  • Departure from Berth 20, Marlin Marina Wharf, Cairns
  • Free time in Fitzroy Island National Park, including the Nudey Beach and Secret Garden walking tracks
  • Snorkel set, glass bottom boat tour, Snorkel Safari or Intro Snorkel Adventure when included in your chosen option

Commonly asked questions.

Head to the Fitzroy Flyer at Berth 20, Marlin Marina Wharf, at least 30 minutes before departure and give the crew your booking name or QR code. All day outdoor parking is a couple of blocks away near Trinity Wharf on Wharf Street, or see our guide to getting around Cairns without a car.

Sailings are subject to weather. If the Fitzroy Flyer can't run, you'll be offered another date or vessel, and if neither works, a refund for the affected part of your booking.

Cancel at least 48 hours before travel for a refund, less any booking fees. Cancellations inside 48 hours are not refunded.

Yes. Children aged 4 to 13 travel on a child fare, infants aged 0 to 3 travel free, and anyone under 18 must be with an adult. The glass bottom boat option is a great pick for little ones who would rather stay dry.

No, and day visitors are asked not to bring their own food onto the island. Foxy's Bar, Zephyr Restaurant, the Pool Bar and the General Store all serve food and drinks at your own cost.

Stingers can be around all year, with the highest risk from October to May, so a stinger suit is a smart call whenever you're in the water. You can hire one on the island, and our stinger suit guide for Cairns covers the rest.
The 9:30am Intro Snorkel Adventure option starts with a beach lesson from an instructor, then heads out on the guided Snorkel Safari. Confident snorkellers can go straight to the 10am Snorkel Safari, and our guide for non swimmers on the reef helps if you're unsure.

The Fitzroy Flyer has ramp access on and off the vessel. For anything beyond the ferry, contact Fitzroy Island Resort before your trip to talk through specific needs.

Swimwear, a hat, reef friendly sunscreen, comfortable shoes for the walking tracks and a card for island purchases. Leave the esky, oversized luggage and beach trolley at home, as the ferry can't carry them.

More about this tour.

Most reef islands make you pick between the water and the walking. Fitzroy Island gives you both, because the whole island is national park with fringing reef right off the beach. Take the 8am Fitzroy Flyer from Cairns and the 5pm boat home, and you have the longest day the timetable allows to work through it at your own pace.You check in at Berth 20, Marlin Marina Wharf, at least 30 minutes before departure, then it's a 45 minute run across to the island jetty. From there, the easy rainforest track to Nudey Beach is the first move for most people. The Secret Garden walk is short and shady, and the summit track is the big climb, best done early before the heat settles in.Snorkelling happens straight off the beach, no second boat needed, and wild sea turtles cruise the fringing reef. The afternoon Turtle Talks at the island's turtle rehabilitation centre are the thing most day visitors walk straight past. Spots are capped at 15, so book ahead.This tour has multiple options;
  • 8am to 5pm Ferry: return Fitzroy Flyer transfers and a full day on the island to plan your own way
  • 8am to 5pm Ferry + Snorkel Equipment: adds a full day mask, snorkel and fins set, collected from the island's Sports Hub when you arrive
  • 8am to 5pm Ferry + 9:30am Glass Bottom Boat Tour: adds a 45 minute guided look at the coral, reef fish and turtles without getting wet
  • 8am to 5pm Ferry + 10:00am Snorkel Safari Guided Tour: adds a 1 hour 45 minute guided boat trip to snorkel sites around the island, with snorkel gear for the rest of the day, best for confident snorkellers
  • 8am to 5pm Ferry + 9:30am Intro Snorkel Adventure + Snorkel Safari Tour: adds a beach lesson with an instructor, then the guided Snorkel Safari, with gear for the rest of the day, ideal if you're new to snorkelling
  • 11am to 5pm Ferry: a later start with return Fitzroy Flyer transfers
  • 11am to 5pm Ferry + Snorkel Equipment: the later start plus a full day snorkel set
Lunch, drinks, kayaks and stinger suits are all sorted island side at your own cost, and day visitors are asked not to bring their own food across. Want two islands in one day? The Fitzroy Island and Green Island explorer is worth a look, or keep it short with a Fitzroy Island half day tour.Explore the options above, then check availability on the Fitzroy Island day tour from Cairns for your date.

Additional info.

  • Check in at the Fitzroy Flyer, Berth 20, Marlin Marina Wharf, at least 30 minutes before departure with your booking name or QR code ready. Walk ups are not accepted.
  • For the trip home, be at the Fitzroy Island jetty at least 20 minutes before the 5pm ferry.
  • Adults are 14 and over, children 4 to 13, and infants 0 to 3 travel free. Anyone under 18 must travel with an adult.
  • Day visitors are asked not to bring their own food onto the island. Meals and drinks are available at Foxy's Bar, Zephyr Restaurant, the Pool Bar and the General Store.
  • Stingers can be present year round, with higher risk from October to May. Stinger suits can be hired on the island and are recommended whenever you swim or snorkel.
  • Please use reef friendly sunscreen.
  • Oversized luggage (20kg or more), eskys, cooler boxes, beach trolleys, stand up paddleboards and kayaks are not carried on the ferry.
  • The 11am departure does not run Monday to Thursday in February and March.
  • Sailings are subject to weather and availability. If the ferry cannot run, another date or vessel is offered, or a refund for the affected part of your booking.