Half-day reef trips

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Slide 1 of 8, Aerial view of Green Island surrounded by coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

From Cairns: Outer Great Barrier Reef 40‑Minute Scenic Flight

40 mins

Soar over turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and isolated sand cays for an unrivaled bird’s‑eye view of the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Enjoy the comfort of a modern, air‑conditioned high‑wing aircraft with spacious, guaranteed window seats.
Get expert live commentary and learn more about iconic landmarks like Green Island and Arlington Reef.
Capture breathtaking photo opportunities of intricate reef formations, dramatic continental shelf edges, and abundant marine life.
Perfect for families, adventure seekers, and photography lovers looking for a unique perspective of the Great Barrier Reef.

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Soar over turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and isolated sand cays for an unrivaled bird’s‑eye view of the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Enjoy the comfort of a modern, air‑conditioned high‑wing aircraft with spacious, guaranteed window seats.
Get expert live commentary and learn more about iconic landmarks like Green Island and Arlington Reef.
Capture breathtaking photo opportunities of intricate reef formations, dramatic continental shelf edges, and abundant marine life.
Perfect for families, adventure seekers, and photography lovers looking for a unique perspective of the Great Barrier Reef.

from

AU$239

Slide 1 of 16, Group enjoying beach on Fitzroy Island with snorkeling gear, part of Half Day Adventure Tour from Cairns.

Cairns to Fitzroy Island Half-Day Cruise With Activity Upgrades

2 hrs 30 mins - 4 hrs 15 mins

1 more

Experience Fitzroy Island in just half a day, perfect for a quick visit from Cairns to explore its beauty.
Travel aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran that serves as your base, offering comfort and convenience while you explore the island’s beauty.
Enjoy over two hours of free time to snorkel vibrant coral reefs, relax on stunning coral beaches, or wander rainforest trails at your own pace.
Upgrade your experience by adding both snorkeling gear and a glass-bottom boat tour, or include a delicious lunch for the ultimate hassle-free adventure.

More details

Experience Fitzroy Island in just half a day, perfect for a quick visit from Cairns to explore its beauty.
Travel aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran that serves as your base, offering comfort and convenience while you explore the island’s beauty.
Enjoy over two hours of free time to snorkel vibrant coral reefs, relax on stunning coral beaches, or wander rainforest trails at your own pace.
Upgrade your experience by adding both snorkeling gear and a glass-bottom boat tour, or include a delicious lunch for the ultimate hassle-free adventure.

from

AU$108

Slide 1 of 7, Cruise boat near coral reef on Port Douglas to Low Isles Island snorkel tour.

Port Douglas to Low Isles Island Cruise with Guided Snorkel

4 hrs

Ready for a reef escape without the crowds? Zip over to Low Isles in just 30 minutes and unlock 2.5 hours of pure coral garden bliss, far from the usual busy spots.
Imagine stepping off the sand straight into a vibrant underwater world. The coral is so close to shore, making it a dream for everyone, whether you're trying snorkeling for the first time or you're a seasoned explorer.
Discover more than just the reef. Wander sandy paths near nesting seabird colonies, explore the historic lighthouse, and soak up stories from guides who know this protected marine sanctuary inside out.
Choose your perfect time: head out in the morning when marine life is buzzing, or opt for an afternoon trip and catch that gorgeous golden-hour glow on your return.

More details

Ready for a reef escape without the crowds? Zip over to Low Isles in just 30 minutes and unlock 2.5 hours of pure coral garden bliss, far from the usual busy spots.
Imagine stepping off the sand straight into a vibrant underwater world. The coral is so close to shore, making it a dream for everyone, whether you're trying snorkeling for the first time or you're a seasoned explorer.
Discover more than just the reef. Wander sandy paths near nesting seabird colonies, explore the historic lighthouse, and soak up stories from guides who know this protected marine sanctuary inside out.
Choose your perfect time: head out in the morning when marine life is buzzing, or opt for an afternoon trip and catch that gorgeous golden-hour glow on your return.

from

AU$246

Slide 1 of 10, Tourists observing marine life through a glass-bottom boat on a Cairns to Green Island cruise.

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

4 hrs - 8 hrs

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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.

More details

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.

from

AU$122

Slide 1 of 14, Cruise boats on clear waters near Green Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Cairns to Green Island Half Day Cruise with Activity Upgrades

4 hrs

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.

More details

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.

from

AU$110

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What our guests say

Sudheshna O

Australia

Group

Last week

The event organizers were helpful and the ferry very luxurious to get to the Island. The schedule was good and gave me plenty time to enjoy the island and cover the major chinks of I. However, the dock of the cruise had changed into he last minute but we were not informed and figured it out by akin around. It would be nice if one fo the team members informed us of the change just so we weren't at risk of missing the cruise. Thy offered upgrade on activities like snorkeling and glass boat tour but when I asked for it they said they ran out of equipment for snorkeling. It would be nice if they kept some extras as they did offer and upgrade. Yet the organizers were still resourceful to tell me where I can get the equipment to have a good time, so I can't complain! 😊 Even if you have a only a half day left, I highly recommend visiting Fitzroy island and taking this tour as it is a place you will regret if you miss it.

Cairns to Fitzroy Island Half-Day Cruise With Activity Upgrades

Robert G

Australia

Family

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!

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

Samita N

Australia

Family

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! 🐠🌴

Cairns to Green Island Half Day Cruise with Activity Upgrades

Wolfgang W

Germany

Couple

Apr 2026

Great experience. Exciting views on different parts of the reef despite missing sunshine. Smooth flight. Experienced pilot with informative comments. All crew members at airport and in the air extremely helpful, friendly and funny. A special thanks for finding and returning my lost loved sun glasses within only a couple of minutes to my hotel (special thanks to Greg!).

From Cairns: Outer Great Barrier Reef 40‑Minute Scenic Flight