Green Island Half Day Tour
A quick, easy taste of the Great Barrier Reef: a 45 minute Reef Rocket crossing, 2 hours 15 minutes on Green Island and back in Cairns by 12:45pm or 5pm. Several options let you go ferry only or add snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat tour.
Quick read before you book.
- Back in Cairns by 12:45pm on the morning trip
- Afternoon departure for a slow start to your day
- Just 45 minutes at sea each way
- Easy pace that suits toddlers and babies
- Coral you can reach straight from the sand
What people say about this operator.
What they like?
Friendly staff, great snorkelling with turtles and reef sharks, and glass bottom boat and semi sub tours that keep non swimmers in on the fun.
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 Reef Rocket catamaran transfer between Cairns and Green Island, about 45 minutes each way
- 2 hours 15 minutes on Green Island
- Snorkelling demonstration and reef presentation on the way out
- Glass bottom boat tour, on the glass bottom boat option
- Snorkelling gear with a lycra stinger suit and flotation vest, on the snorkelling option
- Access to the island rainforest boardwalks and beaches
Commonly asked questions.
Reef Rocket departs Cairns at 9am, returning by 12:45pm, and at 1pm, returning by 5pm. Either way you get 2 hours 15 minutes on the island.
Check in at the vessel itself at Marlin Wharf, beside the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street in Cairns city. The afternoon before, you receive an email and SMS with your berth and a marina map.
Ferry only covers the return crossing, and you can pay for activities on the island if you decide you want them. The other two options add either snorkelling gear with a stinger suit, or a glass bottom boat tour for a dry look at the coral.
It is the operator's pick for small children, infants and babies. Under 4s travel free but must be on the booking, under 16s need an adult aged 18 or over, and if you are pregnant, check with the operator before booking.
The vessels are pram friendly and the island boardwalks suit prams, though the sand does not. Wheelchair users should contact the operator before booking, as access varies by vessel.
In poor weather the operator moves your booking free of charge to the next suitable day, or refunds you in full if no other date suits. Otherwise, cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure, with no refund inside 24 hours.
More about this tour.
- Ferry transfer only, with activities available to buy on the day
- Ferry transfer with a glass bottom boat tour over the reef
- Ferry transfer with snorkelling gear for the beach reef
Additional info.
- Lunch is not included. You can buy food, drinks and snacks on the island.
- On the ferry only fare, activities such as snorkel hire, the glass bottom boat and the semi submarine can be bought on the island, but cannot be booked ahead.
- 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.
- Lycra stinger suits come with snorkelling gear. Non snorkellers can hire one separately. Marine stingers can be present from roughly November to May.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and cash or a card for island shops.
- Parking is available at the Pier Shopping Centre opposite the terminal, with cheaper all day parking near Trinity Wharf.
- 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.