Day Trips

Sunlover: Cairns to Fitzroy Island Full-Day Cruise with Snorkel, Glass Bottom Boat Tour & Lunch

Snorkeler exploring coral reef on Fitzroy Island day trip from Cairns.

Tourists observing marine life through a glass bottom boat at Fitzroy Island, Great Barrier Reef.

Fitzroy Island beach with clear water and lush greenery, Cairns day trip.

Lunch by the beach on Fitzroy Island with tropical drinks and scenic ocean view.

Duration

8 hr 30 min

Open today

08:30am - 05:00pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers available

Pickup available

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.3/5

(10)

Binaragamage

Jan 2026

Verified booking

The staff at Sunlover were absolutely marvelous, displaying the utmost attentiveness and care. The package was superb value for money, leaving not a single detail to chance. As for the fare, it was exquisite—truly beyond anything we had envisaged.

Tamara

Nov 2025

Verified booking

Cruise in and out was amazing, we saw Sea turtles mating on the cruise back. Glass bottom boat was incredible, a great view of the coral reef and creatures below. The snorkelling was amazing, I spotted a sea turtle in the area close to the jetty...I was able to capture an underwater picture of the sea turtle. Box lunch was fantastic, very big lunch which satisfied the hard earned appetite. Sunlover staff were very friendly and did an amazing job all day 👏 Entire day was well worth it, would do it again. Highly recommend.

Nicole

Oct 2025

Verified booking

The whole day was fabulous, the Sunlover crew members are friendly, professional and well organised and the boat is clean and comfortable. Would highly recommend and we hope to sail with Sunlover again

Cruise from Cairns to Fitzroy Island on a high-speed catamaran and spend the day exploring tropical rainforest, white-sand beaches, and coral-filled waters.

Snorkel straight from the shore using the provided gear and flotation vest, or stay dry with a guided glass-bottom boat tour over vibrant reef gardens.

Enjoy a fresh tropical lunch box filled with island-style bites—perfect for a relaxed beachside meal or quick break between swims.

You’ll have up to 4.5 hours of free time to explore the island at your own pace—swim, sunbathe, hike rainforest trails, or just slow down and soak in the serenity.

With everything taken care of, this day trip is ideal for families, couples, and solo adventurers looking for a no-fuss Great Barrier Reef island experience.

Full-day tour to the Great Barrier Reef & Fitzroy Island with ferry transfers from Cairns

Snorkel gear including mask, fins, Lycra suit, and flotation vest

Guided glass-bottom boat tour

Tropical lunch box with vegan, halal, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available (menu here)

Up to 4.5 hours for island self-exploration

1 Boarding point
Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal
Get direction
Sights covered
Fitzroy Island

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

10 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
Penelope
Jan 2026
Verified booking
We love the snorkelling, the boat going back was really comfortable, the food was excellent It would've been good to know that there was freshwater on the island and a place to have a picnic, we had no idea what to expect and didn't know that we didn't have to bring our own water, I didn't realise there was an entire hotel there either What would've been excellent would have been telling us to go to the left of the wharf for an easy entrance to snorkelling especially for little kids, we were just dumped on the island so we didn't know where to go, and we heard our feet on the coral The boarding of the boat took very very long time over half an hour and they could've just done a public announcement that we needed to collect a year on the third level instead of individually telling everyone really slowly We had an amazing day and the food was really good in the lunchbox etc but more info would have been better I also had no idea how long the boat trip was from Cairns to the island, there was literally no information FAQ: how long to island, is there fresh water, where to snorkel
Khaleel
Jan 2026
Verified booking
I booked 2 trips one to Fitzroy island with sunlover. And the other with big cat to green island. Big cat gave more time on the green island and ferry was very good. Sunlover gave less time on the island. Ferry on the way to Fitzroy island was big but not too good. There was very limited access. On the way back to cairns via sunlover ferry was too small and worst. Sunlovers are very commercial compared to big cat.
Binaragamage
Jan 2026
Verified booking
The staff at Sunlover were absolutely marvelous, displaying the utmost attentiveness and care. The package was superb value for money, leaving not a single detail to chance. As for the fare, it was exquisite—truly beyond anything we had envisaged.
Maulikkumar
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Great service staff was very friendly and gave all information needed to explore island !!
Benjamin
Dec 2025
Verified booking
Snorkling and glass bottom boat. Staff were really good and helpful. Lunch pack too was good, but cold packed.

A tropical reef escape just 45 minutes from Cairns

Board your high-speed ferry from Cairns and cruise across the Coral Sea to Fitzroy Island—one of the most accessible and unspoiled destinations on the Great Barrier Reef. This full-day tour blends marine adventure and island downtime, giving you a taste of reef life without venturing too far from shore.

What to expect

On arrival, pick up your snorkel gear (mask, fins, lycra suit, and flotation vest included) and hit the water straight off the beach. Fitzroy’s fringing reef is just steps from the shore, making it perfect for beginners and casual swimmers. Prefer to stay dry? Join a guided glass-bottom boat tour and glide above coral gardens as your guide points out reef fish, clams, and sea turtles.

Midday, take a break with a tropical lunch box packed with island-style flavours—easy to enjoy at a picnic spot, shaded table, or even barefoot on the beach.

After lunch, the rest of the island is yours to explore. Wander rainforest trails with panoramic lookouts, discover Australia’s #1 beach (Nudey Beach), or simply relax with a book beside the water.

Features

Fitzroy Island ferry: Fast, scenic round-trip catamaran transfer from Cairns.

Snorkel gear included: Mask, snorkel, fins, Lycra suit, and flotation vest.

Glass-bottom boat tour: Glide over coral reefs with expert commentary.

Tropical lunch box: Fresh, island-inspired meal included in your ticket.

Free time: 4.5 hours to snorkel, hike, swim, or just unwind on your own schedule.

Schedule

8:45 to 9:45am: Check-in at Reef Fleet Terminal at Sunlover's desk

9:30 to 10am: Boarding from Cairns

10:15am: Depart Cairns

11am to 11:15am: Arrive at Fitzroy Island

3:15pm: Boarding from Fitzroy Island

3:30pm: Depart Fitzroy Island

4:30pm: Arrive at Cairns Marlin Marina

Fitzroy Island

Monday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Tuesday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Wednesday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Thursday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Friday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Saturday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Sunday	08:30am - 05:00pm	last entry 05:00pm

What to bring

Have your ID or proof of local residency ready for a seamless experience.

Bring a beach towel, sunscreen, and hat to beat the heat.

Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

Pack your meds – better to be prepared, just in case they’re not available onsite.

Bring a camera to capture the beauty of the island.

What’s not allowed

It is recommended to leave jewelry and expensive items at your accommodation.

Keep in mind that guests are not allowed to stand on live coral, touch any wildlife, on the island or in the water, litter, swim, kayak, or paddle board past the boat channel markers, or bring alcohol to the island.

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.

Space is tight, so we recommend packing light or using a baby carrier. Be aware that most paths on the island aren't suitable for prams.

Additional information

Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes, especially for those guests who wish to hike and explore around the island.

Please note that the buffet lunch will be at Fitzroy Island Resort.

Guests should confirm the best snorkeling times with the crew before going for it as the island has low and high tides.

Guests must wear a stinger suit available on board to protect themselves from stingers.

If the trip is deemed unsafe to operate due to sea conditions, passengers will be offered travel on an alternate day or will receive a refund.

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.