Green Island and its fringing reef seen from the air
Back Highly recommendedVerified as Loop's Top 10Last reviewed October 2026

Green Island Full Day Tour

from A$156
8 hours
Cairns
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (24 hours prior)

A full day on Green Island, with up to five and a half hours on the coral cay when you take the 9am Big Cat. Snorkel off the beach or ride the glass bottom boat, walk the rainforest boardwalks and use Big Cat as your air conditioned base. Several options let you choose a 9am or 11am start, with or without the buffet lunch.

  • Green Island and its fringing reef seen from the air
  • Kids playing in the clear shallows at Green Island with the jetty behind
  • Aerial view of the white sand beach and turquoise shallows of Green Island
  • Visitors walking a rainforest path beneath a giant fig tree on Green Island
  • Green Island and its fringing reef seen from the air
  • Kids playing in the clear shallows at Green Island with the jetty behind
  • Aerial view of the white sand beach and turquoise shallows of Green Island
  • Visitors walking a rainforest path beneath a giant fig tree on Green Island

Quick read before you book.

  • A slow, whole day ashore rather than a quick hop
  • Reef you can reach by wading in from the beach
  • Green turtles and reef sharks are common sightings
  • Swimmers and non swimmers both get a proper look at the coral
  • Later 11am start for anyone who wants a slow breakfast

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 catamaran cruise between Cairns and Green Island: Big Cat on 9am options, Reef Rocket on the 11am option
  • Up to 5.5 hours on the island from the 9am departure, about 4.5 hours from the 11am departure
  • Snorkelling demonstration and reef presentation on the way out
  • Free choice of snorkelling gear, including a lycra stinger suit and flotation vest, or a glass bottom boat tour
  • Use of the air conditioned Big Cat as a base while you are on the island
  • Buffet lunch aboard Big Cat, served 11:15am to 1:15pm, on lunch options
  • Complimentary ginger tablets for seasickness

Commonly asked questions.

All departures leave from Marlin Wharf beside the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street, Cairns, and you check in at the vessel itself. For the 9am Big Cat, be checked in by 8:30am; your berth and a marina map arrive by SMS the afternoon before.

The 9am Big Cat gives you up to five and a half hours on the island and can be paired with a hotel coach transfer. The 11am Reef Rocket is a quicker 45 minute crossing with about four and a half hours ashore, and both return to Cairns at around 5pm.

Lunch is included on the buffet lunch options, served aboard Big Cat from 11:15am to 1:15pm with prawns, curries, salads and vegetarian and vegan dishes. On the no lunch option you can buy food and drinks on the island or at the bar aboard Big Cat.

The operator will move your booking at no charge to the next suitable day, subject to availability. If the cruise cannot run and another day does not work for you, you get a full refund.

Yes, changes and cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure. Inside 24 hours, or if you do not show, the full fare is charged.

Yes. Under 4s travel free, children aged 4 to 14 pay the child rate, and under 16s must stay with an adult aged 18 or over. With toddlers, the shorter Green Island half day tour can be easier, and if you are pregnant, check with the operator before booking.

The vessels are pram friendly, prams can be stored on Big Cat, and the island boardwalks suit wheels even though the sand does not. Wheelchair users should contact the operator before booking, as access varies by vessel.

Swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus cash or a card for drinks and souvenirs. Our guide to reef safe sunscreen helps you pick one that is kind to the coral.

More about this tour.

This is Green Island at an unhurried pace. Instead of a quick hop, you get most of the day on a small coral cay off Cairns, with the air conditioned Big Cat moored at the jetty as your base for shade, drinks and lunch whenever you want a break from the sun.Take the 9am Big Cat and you are ashore by about 10:15am, with up to five and a half hours before the 3:45pm trip home. Prefer a slower morning? The 11am Reef Rocket crossing takes about 45 minutes and still gives you around four and a half hours on the island. Both are back in Cairns at around 5pm.Every fare includes a free choice of snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat tour. Snorkel straight off the beach, where green turtles are often seen, or float over the coral in the glass bottom boat with commentary and a fish feed. Lunch options add a buffet aboard Big Cat with chilled prawns, curries, salads and vegetarian dishes. For a deeper look underwater, the Green Island day tour with Seawalker adds a helmet dive, and the Fitzroy Island and Green Island Explorer pairs the cay with a rainforest island.This tour has multiple options;
  • Depart 9am on Big Cat, with the buffet lunch included
  • Depart 9am on Big Cat, with no lunch, so you can buy food on the island or aboard
  • Depart 11am on Reef Rocket, with the buffet lunch included
Explore the options below, check availability for your date, then book the departure that suits your day.

Additional info.

Check in directly at your vessel at Marlin Wharf, beside the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street, Cairns. For the 9am departure, check in at Big Cat by 8:30am. For the 11am Reef Rocket, allow at least 15 minutes before departure. You will receive an email and SMS the afternoon before with your berth and a marina map.
  • Coach transfers from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels can be added for the 9am departure only, at an extra cost.
  • Children aged 4 to 14 travel at the child rate. Children under 4 travel free as infants but must be added to the booking. Anyone under 16 must be with an adult aged 18 or over at all times.
  • Optional extras at an additional cost include the semi submarine, a guided Snorkel Safari, a beginner Snorkel Experience tour, and introductory or certified diving.
  • A lifeguard is on duty in the flagged area at the northern beach. Lycra stinger suits are included with snorkelling gear; marine stingers can be present from roughly November to May.
  • Buffet dishes are labelled vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free. Call the operator about allergies.
  • Bring a towel, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear and some cash or a card for drinks and souvenirs. BYO alcohol is not permitted.
  • If poor weather affects your day, the operator will move your booking at no charge to the next suitable day, subject to availability, or refund you in full if a new date does not suit.
  • Changes and cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure. Within 24 hours, and for no shows, the full fare is charged.