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Green Island

Just 45 minutes from Cairns, this coral cay dazzles with its azure waters, shimmering reefs, and white sand beaches.

Green Island: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

1. From Cairns: Full-Day Green Island Cruise

Climb aboard a modern catamaran to sail into Green Island National Park on a beach and snorkeling cruise from Cairns. Discover a hidden gem in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and explore its coral reefs with snorkeling gear. Choose to enjoy a buffet lunch and go on a semi-submarine tour. Make your way to the harbor to meet your friendly crew for the day and climb onto your catamaran. Relax in the sun as you set sail towards the Great Barrier Reef. Experience picturesque views of the ocean as you arrive at Green Island National Park. Stroll around the island and explore its tranquil beaches. Find a stop to relax and go for a dip in the ocean. Get access to snorkeling gear and take a peek into the region's thriving marine life. You can also opt to go on a semi-submarine or a glass-bottom boat tour to discover the colorful coral reef and fish in comfort.

From Cairns: Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

2. From Cairns: Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

Go on a Green Island eco-adventure from Cairns to explore the beautiful Great Barrier Reef island. Connect with nature on a tropical island with over 120 native plant species, birds, coral gardens, and abundant marine life. Choose from a glass bottom boat coral reef viewing tour or snorkeling gear. Your cruise includes the choice of an informative glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, or the use of snorkeling equipment to snorkel directly off the sandy white beaches. Explore the island’s lush rainforest with a leisurely self-guided walk, see the reef from the glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, snorkel from the beach, or take a refreshing dip in the island swimming pool. With an abundance of optional activities, you can scuba dive, take an offshore snorkel excursion, walk underwater with Seawalker helmet diving, kayak, or even take to the sky in a scenic helicopter flight. There's even the Marineland Melanesia crocodile habitat on the island! The island’s well-appointed day visitor facilities include a pool bar, and dive shop, plus restaurant and food outlets, where a delicious range of lunch, snacks, and refreshments can be purchased.

From Cairns: Green Island Half-Day Morning Cruise

3. From Cairns: Green Island Half-Day Morning Cruise

Discover the lush rainforest of Green Island on this half-day tour and encounter some of the many marine animals that call the island home. Climb aboard the modern, air-conditioned 24-meter catamaran "Reef Rocket" to cruise over to this idyllic part of the Great Barrier Reef, and enjoy a full-day reef tour just 45-minutes from Cairns. Snorkel and dive among the reef fish and coral gardens, or stay dry on a spectacular semi-submersible submarine or glass-bottom boat to discover the underwater life in comfort. Alternatively, simply laze on the white sandy beach and soak up the sun.

From Cairns: Afternoon Cruise to Green Island

4. From Cairns: Afternoon Cruise to Green Island

Board a catamaran in Cairns and set sail towards the idyllic Green Island. Discover the natural beauty of this 600-year-old coral cay in an afternoon and explore the very best of what the island has to offer. You decide how you'll spend your time once you arrive at Green Island. Indulge in a few hours of relaxation and lounge on white sandy beaches or take a self-guided walk through the island's lush forest. If you prefer to stay dry, join a tour of the island's reef on a glass-bottom boat. Feeling more adventurous? Make use of the snorkeling gear provided and view the thriving marine life and reef up close. 

Cairns: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

5. Cairns: Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Tour

Board a classic sailboat with its crew and head out on a Green Island and Great Barrier Reef sailing cruise. Lend a hand or just relax and watch, feeling the salty breeze in your hair as you glide over the waters. Grab a Danish pastry, fresh fruit, and tea or coffee, and settle into the sailing excursion as Cairns disappears in the distance. Arrive at the exclusive Great Barrier Reef mooring that’s just 1-kilometer off Green Island. Make your way to the pinnacle part of the reef. After a snorkeling briefing, dive underneath the water’s surface with the crew and enjoy small, personalized snorkeling tours throughout the day. See corals, schools of colorful reef fish, stingrays, turtles, and black-tipped reef sharks, which are very shy and perfectly safe. Enjoy a personalized first dive with just 2 divers per instructor. No previous experience is required for this bookable option. If you are a certified diver, expect a small group with a dive guide. This tour is great for conservative diving, but not for deeper water or drift dives. After a morning of snorkeling and diving at this exclusive site, enjoy a large lunch back on board the boat. Feast on fresh Tasmanian salmon, prawns, mixed meats, chicken, and three different salads. Enjoy some time on Green Island and relax on the beach or enjoy optional island activities. Enjoy a cocktail at the island’s resort, walk across the island, visit Marine Land Melanesia where you can see crocodiles in captivity, or take a glass-bottomed boat tour. Take 4.5 hours to enjoy the reef and island. Set sail for the return trip. Enjoy fresh fruit, cheese, and crackers, a glass of wine, and finally, a piece of cake to end on a sweet note.

Cairns: Full-Day Glass Bottom Boat or Snorkel Tour

6. Cairns: Full-Day Glass Bottom Boat or Snorkel Tour

Climb aboard a catamaran cruise on a day trip from Cairns. Get a fish-eye view of Green Islands' reef from a glass-bottom boat. Explore the marine life with the snorkeling gear provided. Take a guided boardwalk stroll in the rainforest. Upgrade your experience with a lunch and submarine tour. Climb aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran to cruise over to this idyllic part of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a full-day reef tour, just a few minutes away from Cairns. Snorkel and dive among the reef fish and coral gardens or laze on the white sandy beach and soak up the sun. Walk across the secluded island rainforest on a guided boardwalk stroll. Additionally, choose between a spectacular semi-submersible submarine tour or a glass-bottom boat tour to make the most of your adventure on the water. Book an option with lunch included and forget about packing your own food.

From Cairns: 40-Min Scenic Reef Window Seat Airplane Flight

7. From Cairns: 40-Min Scenic Reef Window Seat Airplane Flight

Experience bird's eye views of the Great Barrier Reef aboard a high-wing airplane with guaranteed window seats on a 40-minute scenic flight from Cairns Airport. Make your way to the Cairns Airport to climb aboard the panoramic flight. Then, experience the ultimate views of the reef system and surrounding landscape, including Green Island, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Discover for yourself why the reef is considered one of the "7 Natural Wonders of the World. "Marvel at the contrast of colors as you fly over the Coral Sea and look down on some of the 2,900 reefs and 900 islands that make up the reef system. Get an informative commentary from your pilot as you fly over Arlington Reef, Upolu Reef, Michaelmas Reef, Oyster Reef, Double Island and Palm Cove.

Green Island Fly & Cruise Package

8. Green Island Fly & Cruise Package

Experience the best of both worlds with this Fly and Cruise package. GSL Aviation have partnered with Big Cat Green Island to offer an amazing full-day experience. Start your day with a birds-eye view of Cairns, Green Island, and the Great Barrier Reef. Soar overhead with GSL Aviation aboard a high-wing aircraft, with guaranteed window seats for everyone on-board. The 40 minute ‘Reef Hopper’ flight departs Cairns Airport and gives you an appreciation of the region that you can only get from the air. Following the flight and your complimentary bus transfer, you’ll find yourself at the Cairns Reef Terminal ready to depart on a full day adventure cruise to Green Island with Big Cat on board Reef Rocket. Your full day cruise includes everything you need for the day, with a range of extras and activities available for no extra charge. Included in your cruise is a buffet lunch, and glass bottom boat coral viewing tour or snorkel equipment hire. On top of your tour inclusions are other activities on Green Island such as self-guided walks and fish feeding. After your entertaining afternoon, cruise back to the Cairns Reef Terminal where your tour concludes. *Please note that a return transfer is extra and can be booked with Big Cat on your day of travel if required.

Other Sightseeing Options in Green Island

Want to discover all there is to do in Green Island? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Green Island

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 754 reviews

We chose to take our own snorkelling gear so we got the glass bottom boat your included. However you can hire from the your desk once at the island for a minimal cost. We don’t opt for all the ‘extras’ just get off the cat’ and do our own thing which is quite easy as it’s all quite accessible to the wharf where you get dropped. Marineland Melanesia is a defiant must do. Well worth the admission fee very interesting. Depending on your budget they do have a bar/restaurant but we still take our own snacks/water (no byo alcohol allowed in resort area) even pack a couple of sandwiches cause the first time everything was shut when we went looking for food after snorkelling. We’ve booked this tour twice over 2 year period and enjoyed it both times.

This was one of the best experiences of my entire life. Not only was the island beautiful, the snorkeling was incredibly fun and (you could go at your own pace, go really far out or stay close to the shore), the staff were also exceptional, informative (lots of fun facts) and super friendly. I even dropped my icecream and a staff member had a laugh with me and then got me another. Food on the boat is also amazing. Overall 10000/10. I am going to book again!

Incredible day. You definitely get your moneys worth. Once we got on the trip we were asked if we wanted to do the snorkelling safari as well and we are SO glad we did that on top as you get taken out deeper and get an i depth tour of the reef. and the reef is incredible. so recommend doing that too once on the trip! Thanks for the best day

Freddie was amazing- we did the snorkel safari ran by her Freddie and she was so knowledgeable and fun! Thank you for making our day!

Such a lovely day out. Amazing crew and experience :)