Sightseeing Cruises

Cairns to Green Island Full/Half-Day Cruise with Glass Bottom Boat Tour

4.6/5(54)

Simone C

Couple

Verified booking

6 days ago

Sitting in open air looking at views. The boats themselves need a new paint job on the outside - inside boats were nice and clean and staff were welcoming.

Robert G

Family

Verified booking

Sep 2026

Green Island was amazing and a fantastic day out for the whole family. The kids absolutely loved it, and we were surprised by just how much there was to see and do throughout the day. There was plenty to keep everyone entertained, while still having time to relax and enjoy the beautiful island. The cruise was easy and enjoyable, and the whole experience was definitely one of the highlights of our Cairns trip. Highly recommend it for families!

Debbie B

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

It was quite a windy day which made the trip not as comfortable for some fellow travellers, but we loved it! Was great seeing the sharks and turtles before we even got off the jetty! The glass bottom boat was also great. I'd do that again in a heartbeat!

James M

Family

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

My granddaughters had a fantastic day watching all the fish on the glass bottom boat and from their swim in the sea. They certainly enjoyed their lunch ( obligatory chicken nuggets). We all had a very enjoyable time overall even the weather was not too big a dampener on the day.

Samita N

Family

Verified booking

Aug 2026

We had a wonderful experience with Big Cat Cruises to Green Island from Cairns. The cruise was comfortable, well organised, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout the journey. The glass-bottom boat tour was a highlight for our family. We loved seeing the beautiful coral, colourful fish, and marine life without needing to snorkel. Green Island itself was beautiful and perfect for a relaxing family day out. A fantastic experience and highly recommended for families visiting Cairns. Thank you Big Cat Cruises for making our day so memorable! 🐠🌴

Patricia F

Solo

Verified booking

Aug 2026

The staff and crew were very helpful and friendly. We went on the glass bottom boat and the staff gave a very informative talk about all the different fish and coral that we saw.. overall a very enjoyable day that I would highly recommend

Get an intro to the reef with a boat trip that includes a snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation while you travel over the water.

Check in at the Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises desk inside Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, then board your boat for the short crossing to the island.

Travel over reef waters to Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef, taking in ocean views on the way and island scenery once you reach the shore.

Take a 30-minute glass-bottom boat tour for views of the reef below as the boat moves over the water near Green Island during your trip.

Choose a half-day or full-day cruise to Green Island, and stay on Green Island for 2 or 5 hours with a self-guided walk on island trails.

Upgrade to add a buffet lunch, vegan, halal, vegetarian, gluten-free options available, when you choose the full-day cruise to Green Island.

Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island

30-minute glass-bottom boat tour

Half-day or full-day cruise to Green Island [as per option selected]

Buffet lunch, vegan, halal, vegetarian, gluten-free options available [as per option selected]

Stay on Green Island for 2 or 5 hours with a self-guided walk on island trails [as per option selected]

Optional activities such as snorkel gear hire, guided snorkel safari, semi-submarine tour

Introductory and certified scuba dives

TOTAL DURATION4 hours - 8 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERCatamaran
Timeline
Map
Start point
Cairns
Get direction
1. Green Island
1 activity
Take a comfortable catamaran cruise to Green Island, offering scenic views and a relaxing journey to the reef.
Things to do
Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation
Included in price
2. Green Island National Park
2 activities
End point
Cairns
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

54 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
James M
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
My granddaughters had a fantastic day watching all the fish on the glass bottom boat and from their swim in the sea. They certainly enjoyed their lunch ( obligatory chicken nuggets). We all had a very enjoyable time overall even the weather was not too big a dampener on the day.
Simone C
Couple
Verified booking
6 days ago
Sitting in open air looking at views. The boats themselves need a new paint job on the outside - inside boats were nice and clean and staff were welcoming.
Amanda B
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
We had a great day trip to Green Island. Staff on the boat were very helpful. Glass bottom boat trip was informative. Snorkeling was lots of fun.
Zeela P
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
I lived every minute your workers were so informative about the reef and very informative about the fish also very polite 👌
Kathleen D
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The water was great soooo clear and fun on the boat,with the waves coming over the front sooo cool.

Cruise from Cairns to Green Island for a full day of island exploration, including a guided glass-bottom boat tour.

Getting started

Begin your adventure at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns, where boarding for the Big Cat vessel starts at 8:15am. After ticket validation, settle in for a scenic 9:00am departure across the Coral Sea, with a brief introduction and safety overview provided onboard.

What to expect

Green Island is a sandy cay located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, renowned for its distinctive blend of rainforest and coral reef ecosystems. This protected island offers a rare opportunity to experience both lush island trails and vibrant marine life in one location.

Features

Glass-bottom boat tour: Enjoy a 30-minute guided tour with panoramic views of coral gardens and marine life, perfect for all ages and non-swimmers.

Self-guided island walks: Stroll along boardwalks and beaches, discovering the island’s rainforest and coastal habitats at your own pace.

Reef presentation: Learn about the Great Barrier Reef’s ecology during an engaging onboard presentation en route to the island.

Flexible free time: Spend up to 2 or 5 hours exploring, relaxing on the beach, or adding optional activities like snorkeling or a semi-submarine tour (extra charge).

Air-conditioned base: Return to the Big Cat vessel at any time for a comfortable break in the air-conditioned lounge.

Upgrades: Choose a half-day or a full-day adventure to explore as you want.

What to bring

Voucher: Bring your mobile voucher and a valid photo ID for verification at check-in.

Swimwear: Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a change of clothes.

Payment method: Bring extra cash or a credit card for onboard purchases and optional activities.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access: Wheelchair access is limited, and only standard wheelchairs can be accommodated on vessels and coaches.

Restrooms: Bathrooms on the boat are not wheelchair accessible, but accessible facilities are available on Green Island.

What’s not allowed

Wheelchairs: Electric wheelchairs are not permitted on vessels or coaches. Only standard wheelchairs are allowed.

Pets: Pets are not allowed, except for registered assistance animals.

Intoxication: Alcohol, drugs, and any form of intoxication are strictly prohibited on board.

Additional information

Check-in: Check-in starts at the Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns.

Arrival time: Please arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure.

Boarding time: Boarding starts at 8:15am, with final boarding at 8:45am for a 9:00am departure.

Hotel transfers: Return hotel transfers are not included but can be booked for an additional fee.

Prebooking: Optional activities and meals must be prebooked for catering purposes.

Scuba diving: Scuba diving is only available for guests aged 12 and above, subject to a medical questionnaire.

Parental consent: Guests under 18 years who dive require parental or guardian permission.

Flotation vests: Flotation vests are available for hire for non-swimmers and children.

Family friendly: The experience is suitable for families with young children and for non-swimmers.

Beach safety: Please swim between the red and yellow flags on the beach for your safety.

Weather: The tour operates in most weather conditions, and in severe weather you will be contacted about changes or cancellations.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.