• Visit Green Island, a tropical island paradise and experience the Great Barrier Reef on a half day tour.
• Meet playful rays, rainbow coloured fish and sea turtles as you snorkel straight off the beach on Green Island
• Stay dry and view the reef from the comfort of a semi-submarine or glass bottom boat on Green Island
• Take a stroll around Green Island’s unique rainforest walkways or relax and soak up the sun on pure white sand beaches 
• Family-friendly tour offering loads of optional extra activities and some fun, complimentary items for the kids on Green Island
• Family Deal - Save $58 based on 2 adults & 2 children

Green Island half day snorkel tours depart Cairns in the morning or afternoon, spend two hours snorkelling the reef or joining a glass bottom boat tour.

Relax on the pristine sandy beaches of Green Island, meander through the island’s forests by boardwalk or grab a drink and snack by the islands pool whilst enjoying a leisurley half day Green Island tour from Cairns.

Green Island is also home to the largest crocodile in captivity, visit Cassius in his Marineland Melanesia home. A fantastic Great Barrier Reef tour suited to all ages and fitness levels from Cairns.

This Cairns reef tour is the perfect half day reef tour that will have you spending 2 hours on Green Island and give you the choice of using just snorkelling gear or joining a glass bottom boat tour around the islands lagoon to see all the coral reef and marine life.

Optional Extra: Semi-submersible sumbarine tour of the islands coral gardens 

You may actually wish to do both so you can tick those boxes when you book your Cairns half day reef tour on line. There are also Island rainforest boardwalks that you can explore, shops and restaurants and other attractions to keep you busy on Green Island.

On Board the Green Island Ferry Boat 

Check in half an hour before departure at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.

Friendly crew will issue your boat transfer passes and detailed information regarding your morning/afternoon on Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. 

The cruise takes only 45 minutes by fast catamaran before arriving into the clear blue lagoon waters of the Green Island marina.

Keep your eyes peeled for turtle surfacing or small reef shark fins as you walk the jetty, large bait balls often look like one large fish as they move in unison in the island’s shallow waters.

There are lockers available on our big boat that stays alongside the jetty throughout the day.

You will also find a fully stocked bar on board boasting a wide selection of drinks, snack and souvenirs; this is also where the semi-submersible submarine and glass bottom boat tours depart from.

Snorkelling Green Island

If you have selected snorkelling as your activity option the helpful crew will assist you with the equipment.

Mask, snorkel and fins are available in all sizes, a deposit is required or any item of value for example a room key or driving license can be used and is returned when equipment is handed back.

Floatation vests and lycra suits are available for hire if required.

Snorkel in the shallow clear waters directly off the beach; explore the fringing reef where you’ll find strikingly colourful fish life darting in and around the corals.

Follow sections of sea grass where you may swim with the docile turtles that inhabit the island’s waters.

The shallow waters just off the beach are perfect for beginner snorkelers to practise and gain confidence before heading out over the beautiful coral reefs.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours (30 minutes)

If you have opted to stay dry and experience the reef by the Glass Bottom Boat tour the crew will inform you of your departure time so you can plan your island visit accordingly.

This tour departs from the main Big Cat vessel at the end of the jetty, you will experience the reef from a snorkelers perspective as you float gently over the corals.

Your skipper/guide will provide interesting commentary about the beautiful corals and variety of marine life that you view through the glass panels; you may spot colourful burrowing lip-like clams in the hard boulder corals, giant sea cucumbers on the sandy ocean floor and vibrant parrot fish scraping the reef with their beak like teeth.

Semi Submersible Submarine Tour (30 minutes)

Upgrade to include the semi-submersible submarine tour in your half day Green Island package deal.

This vessel allows you to sit below the surface of the clear blue waters and view the incredible underwater world through windows on either side of the seating area.

The semi-submersible submarine will glide slowly past an array of hard and soft corals with an abundance of fish life darting in and out of their coral shelter, a perfect opportunity to capture memories on your camera whilst listening to a live explanation of the amazing life surrounding the boat.

Experience an underwater feeding frenzy as crew feed the schools of larger greedy pelagic fish.

On Green Island

There is so much to see and do on the island itself. Explore the rainforest boardwalks with interpretive signage through the inner island, the resident Buff Banded Rails will dart between your feet as you wander amidst their home.

Visit Marineland Melanesia’s nautical museum, also where Cassius the crocodile resides and rescued turtles swim relaxingly in their specially designed pool.

Visit the island’s central hub complete with shops and eateries or head out to the beach and hire a sun lounge to kick back in or some beach equipment like canoes or paddle boards.

This is a fantastic half day tour for families or those that just wish to spend a half day enjoying the sights of the Great Barrier Reef and her islands.

See more Great Barrier Reef Island tours. 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

9.00am & 1.00pm

Departure Instructions

Check in 30 minutes prior to departure time

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Green Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

HDAM - 9am - 1pm morning cruise. 2 hours on the island and free choice of glass bottom boat tour or snorkel gear*
HDPM - 1pm - 5pm afternoon cruise. 2 hours on the island and free choice of glass bottom boat tour or snorkel gear*

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Glass bottom boat
• Snorkel hire

Fitness Level Required

Low

Eco Certifications

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, towel, shirt to swim in (slip, slop, slap) cash or credit card for snorkel deposit, cash for drinks and snacks and souvenirs are available for sale on board. SNORKELLING DEPOSIT $20 "Refundable Deposit" is required for the hire of snorkelling gear - cash or credit card imprint

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• Child Fare 4 - 14 years inclusive
• Infants 3 and under travel free
• Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)