Sightseeing Cruises

Cairns to Green Island Half Day Cruise with Activity Upgrades

4.5/5(75)

Brendan C

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Very enjoyable afternoon out to Green Island. Stiff breeze from the South, but Island is big enough to provided protected spots. Didn't realise there were places to eat on the island and would have save ourselves rushing to getting lunch before the 1pm departure.

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.

Brenda T

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

Well organised and enjoyable trip.I chose to snorkel on my own as I was concerned about keeping up with a tour Wish however I had gone on the tour as the swimmers were all given flotation jackets and the guide was careful to ensure everyone stayed together.The tour also swam outside the flagged area towards the jetty where the bigger fish including rays were. Highly recommended.

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!

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! 🐠🌴

Steve M

Couple

Verified booking

Aug 2026

enjoyed the experience to travel to Green Island the boat was on time and quick! the Staff were friendly, safety information was a little sparse, and scheduling info was a little confusing. The snorkelling was outstanding I loved it we free dived over quite a large area and saw, a wide range of fish including reef shark and turtle.

Set off on a high-speed half-day cruise to Green Island aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran—perfect for those short on time.

Choose your reef encounter: snorkel through vibrant coral gardens or relax on a glass-bottom boat tour for stunning marine views.

Receive a quick yet thorough safety briefing before diving into your aquatic adventure, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Spend over 2 hours on the island—stroll rainforest boardwalks, unwind on sandy beaches, or upgrade to a semi-submarine ride for a unique underwater view.

Designed for busy travelers, this experience delivers the essential highlights of the Great Barrier Reef in one efficient and memorable trip.

Half-day cruise to Green Island from Cairns

Stay on Green Island for 2 hours

Self-guided walk on the island

Semi-submarine tour (if option selected)

Snorkelling gear, Lycra suits, and flotation vest (if option selected)

Glass-bottom boat tour (if option selected)

Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island

TOTAL DURATION4 hours - 4 hours
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
3 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.

75 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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Guests from United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand and over 7 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Brendan C
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Very enjoyable afternoon out to Green Island. Stiff breeze from the South, but Island is big enough to provided protected spots. Didn't realise there were places to eat on the island and would have save ourselves rushing to getting lunch before the 1pm departure.
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.
Adrian M
Group
Verified booking
Sep 2026
Nothing special just a ferry service to an island. Island itself was good, average weather, should have stayed longer to get full experience
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 👌
Janie M
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Beautiful island and cruise across. Friendly and welcoming staff. Luckily no stingers so no wet suits needed when snorkelling

Your experience

Are you yearning for that perfect blend of sun-drenched beaches, sparkling azure seas, and pure relaxation? Green Island delivers it all, set against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Great Barrier Reef, one of Earth's greatest natural treasures. Your half-day adventure starts in Cairns, where you'll step onto the aptly named 'Reef Rocket.' Feel the thrill as this speedy catamaran transports you across the Coral Sea in just 45 minutes, bringing the reef within easy reach.

Touchdown on Green Island, and the choice is entirely yours for the next 2 hours and 15 minutes! You can delve into the emerald depths of the island's rainforest trails, listening to the sounds of nature envelop you. Or you can dive into the aquatic wonderland surrounding you. Grab snorkel gear and plunge into the clear waters to meet the reef's colourful inhabitants face-to-face. Prefer to keep your feet dry? The glass-bottom boat offers you a mesmerising window into the coral gardens below. We'll have you back in Cairns by 12:45 PM, refreshed and ready, with plenty of time left for you to discover what else this vibrant city has to offer after your morning adventure.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bring your swimmers, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, change of clothes, and extra cash or a credit card for onboard purchases.

Accessibility

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

This experience is pram/stroller accessible.

Service animals are allowed on this experience.

Additional information

For everyone's safety, you must evaluate your physical health before choosing to participate in diving or snorkeling. The instructors are responsible for safety and may advise against participation if they have concerns about your fitness for the activity on the day.

A deposit is required on the day to use the snorkeling gear. You can also rent optional items like Lycra suits (stinger suits), life jackets, and wetsuits.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund

This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers.

Guests over 16 years of age can travel without adult supervision. However, photo identification will be required at check-in.

Guests over 18 years of age must be with guests under 16 years of age at all times.

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