Sightseeing Cruises

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

4.7/5(33)

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

Last week

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

Nancy H

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

We enjoyed the glass bottom boat especially the commentary of the guide, however we would have liked it to have been a bit longer. We didn't realize that the half day tour would give us such little amount of time. Most of the time was getting to the island and getting back.

Louisa S

Family

Verified booking

Jun 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had an amazing experience on the half-day tour! From the moment we boarded, the staff were friendly, professional, and incredibly attentive. I was especially impressed with how they cared for passengers who were feeling seasick, checking on them and offering support throughout the trip. The glass-bottom boat tour was a definite highlight. The commentary was informative and engaging, and everyone on board shared in the excitement when we spotted turtles. It was such a special experience to see the reef and marine life up close. The half-day tour was the perfect length for our three-year-old and for us as a family. We never felt rushed, but it also wasn’t too long for little ones. Everything was well organised, enjoyable, and family-friendly.

Mahesh M

Couple

Verified booking

Jun 2026

Cruise check in and boarding, on time and no rush. Safety was top priority. Everything mentioned on the itinerary was done, bit of delay on the island but the rest was good

Alison C

Solo

Verified booking

May 2026

The amazing crew worked tirelessly all day to ensure guests had a wonderful experience. They were so friendly and welcoming, always there to help. They are credits to the company. Thank you so much 😊

Cruise from Cairns to Green Island and enjoy a guided glass-bottom boat tour, included with every ticket.

Choose between a full-day adventure with 5 hours on Green Island or a half-day escape with 2 hours to explore.

Stroll island boardwalks and trails at your own pace, with plenty of time to soak up Green Island’s natural beauty.

Glide across crystal-clear waters and watch coral gardens and tropical fish come alive beneath you, all from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat.

Learn about the Great Barrier Reef’s wonders with onboard snorkeling demonstrations and a reef presentation.

Full or half-day cruise to Green Island (based on option selected)

Stay on Green Island for 2 or 5 hours with a self-guided walk on island trails (based on option selected)

30-minute glass-bottom boat tour

Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island

Self-guided walk on island trails

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.

33 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
Nancy H
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
We enjoyed the glass bottom boat especially the commentary of the guide, however we would have liked it to have been a bit longer. We didn't realize that the half day tour would give us such little amount of time. Most of the time was getting to the island and getting back.
Patricia F
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
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
Pablo I
Solo
Verified booking
2 days ago
The glass bottom tour was great and I had enough time on the island to do anything I wanted
Elda L
Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
Well organised and friendly staff.
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! 🐠🌴

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

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

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

What’s not allowed

Electric wheelchairs are not permitted on vessels or coaches.

Pets are not allowed, except for registered assistance animals.

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

Accessibility

Wheelchair access is limited. Only standard wheelchairs are permitted; electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on vessels or coaches.

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

Additional information

Check-in starts at the Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

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

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

Optional activities and meals must be prebooked for catering purposes.

Scuba diving is only available for guests aged 12 and above, subject to a medical questionnaire. Guests under 18 require parental or guardian permission.

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

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

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

The tour operates in most weather conditions; in the event of severe weather, you will be contacted regarding 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.