Sightseeing Cruises

Cairns to Green Island Half Day Cruise with Activity Upgrades

4.5/5(56)

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

2 weeks ago

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.

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.

Alastair F

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

We enjoyed the sights on the cruise to Green Island, beautiful mountain scenery etc but were disappointed not to be able to undertake the snorkelling due to the tide being out.

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

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.

56 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 States, Switzerland, New Zealand and over 7 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Steve M
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
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.
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.
Alastair F
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
We enjoyed the sights on the cruise to Green Island, beautiful mountain scenery etc but were disappointed not to be able to undertake the snorkelling due to the tide being out.
Pablo I
Solo
Verified booking
Yesterday
The glass bottom tour was great and I had enough time on the island to do anything I wanted
Elda L
Couple
Verified booking
3 days ago
Well organised and friendly staff.

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.

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