• Helicopter flights on Green Island. Whilst on a Green Island tour upgrade your tour to a spectacular 15 minute scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef islands and sand cays
• Helicopter flights on Green Island. Guests may arrive on Green Island by boat and enjoy all the island facilities and then take a helicopter flight to see the patterns of the coral reef from the seat of the helicopter
• See spectacular shimmering sand cays such as Vlasoff Cay, Upolu Sand Cay and Arlington Reef 

15 minute helicopter flight from the beach on Green Island. Upgrade you day on Green Island for a snorkel or dive tour then why not surprise your loved one whilst you are there and take them on a trip of a lifetime on a 15 minute scenic helicopter flight.

What to Expect

Enhance your visit to Green Island with a 15-Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight over the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. This unforgettable experience offers a bird’s-eye view of coral formations, shimmering sand cays, and vibrant reef ecosystems. Perfect as an upgrade to your day of snorkelling or diving, this helicopter flight is a stunning way to see the reef from above and create memories to last a lifetime.

Green Island, located just 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns, is a tropical paradise known for its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine life. Spend a full or half day exploring the island’s snorkelling spots, marine activities, and lush forests before taking to the skies for your helicopter adventure.

Features and Highlights

Scenic Helicopter Flight Great Barrier Reef – Green Island

• Incredible Aerial Views: See the vast expanse of the Great Barrier Reef from above, including iconic locations such as Vlasoff Cay, Upolu Cay, and Arlington Reef.
• Comfortable and Informative: Relax in an air-conditioned helicopter while your experienced pilot provides live commentary about the reef’s history and marine ecosystems.
• Exclusive Experience: A 15-minute flight designed to showcase the reef’s beauty, offering unique photo opportunities of coral formations and turquoise waters.

Explore Green Island

• Tropical Paradise: Green Island is a 12-hectare coral cay covered in lush tropical trees and vine forests, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
• Snorkelling and Diving: Pick up your snorkel gear and explore the underwater world teeming with fish, turtles, and colourful coral.
• Additional Activities: Choose from Seawalker helmet diving, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, or visit Marineland Melanesia.

Flexible Green Island Ferry Options

• Convenient Departures: Choose from multiple ferry times to fit your schedule:
  • Depart Cairns: 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, or 11:00 AM.
  • Return from Green Island: Final departure at 4:30 PM.
• Full or Half-Day Trips: Spend a full day or a relaxing half day on the island, with plenty of time to enjoy your helicopter flight and other activities.

Green Island Highlights

• Boardwalks and Wildlife: Explore Green Island’s walking trails and discover its diverse birdlife, including migratory and resident species.
• Luxury Amenities: Enjoy access to shops, restaurants, a day spa, and a luxury resort for a comfortable and enjoyable visit.
• Marine Life: Encounter Green and Hawksbill turtles, vibrant fish species, and colourful coral gardens.

Professional Helicopter Service

• Established Operator: Operating since 1996, Great Barrier Reef Helicopters has earned numerous accolades for professionalism and innovative tour offerings.
• Experienced Pilots: Fly with skilled pilots who share a passion for the Great Barrier Reef and provide engaging commentary during your flight.
• Extensive Operations: Scenic flights and private charters available from multiple locations, including Cairns, Port Douglas, Horn Island, Townsville and Magnetic Island.

Why Choose This Experience

• A Unique Perspective: See the Great Barrier Reef from both above and below in one unforgettable day.
• Perfect for Special Occasions: Surprise your loved one with a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight while enjoying the beauty of Green Island.
• Seamless Integration: Easily combine this flight with your Green Island snorkel or dive tour for a complete reef adventure.
• Book your 15-Minute Scenic Helicopter Flight on Green Island today and create memories of the Great Barrier Reef that will last forever. Perfect for couples, families, and adventurers, this tour offers an unmatched perspective of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
• Book a fast Green Island ferry cruise with the most awarded marine tourism operator for a full day or half day snorkel tour on 8.30am or 10.30am departure or a 9.00am or 11.00am snorkel tour departure.
• In around 45 minutes you will be on Green Island beach collecting your snorkelling gear for a day of exploration combined with relaxation.
• The first cruise boat departure from Cairns is 8.30am and the last return time back to Cairns is 4.30pm with other departure times available on booking so you can spend a whole day or a half day on Green Island.   

See all helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combo tours from Cairns and Port Douglas.

Learn all the things you need to know before you go on The Tour Specialists Blog. 

About Green Island

Green Island is a 12 hectare island that is said to have been formed thousands of years ago by the build-up of coral and rubble on the calm side of the lagoons coral wall and its development into what it is today was also assisted by migrating birds carrying seeds within their bodies.

Today Green Island is covered in tropical trees and vine forests and home to an array of both permanent and migratory birds. The islands lagoons are home to a dazzling array of marine life and the Green and Hawksbill turtles still nest on Green Island each year although not as frequently as they had in years gone by but this may have something to do with their current fragility of health and sea grass bed food availability and their decline in numbers with further endangerment of near extinction.

There are boardwalks, a dive centre, shops; restaurants, a day spa, and a luxury resort on the island today that attracts hundreds of tourists to its shores every day of the year come rain or shine for a tropical island holiday getaway. 

Whilst Green island is not a big island it still takes you around an hour to gently circumnavigate it shores and explore all the rock pools and gaze out across the ocean to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Things To Do & See On Green Island

When you book your cruise to Green Island and your 10-15 minute scenic helicopter flight do not forget to ask about all of the other exciting underwater activities for you to try such as Seawalker, Scuba Diving, glass bottom boat tours and Marineland Melanesia.

Flying low above the Great Barrier Reef for 15 minutes to see the coral formation below from the seat of your helicopter.

Great Barrier Reef Helicopters

Our Great Barrier Reef helicopter company has been in operation since 1996 providing scenic flights, private charters and touring to the tourism industry and along the way gaining accolades for their on-going professionalism and earning many well deserved tourism awards.

We are constantly adding new ideas and touring options to our itineraries for private charter options keeping ahead of other helicopter firms in creativity.

Our Great Barrier Reef Helicopters provide an exclusive daily service to two outer Barrier Reef pontoon day tour operators Great Adventures and Quicksilver Cruises and along with the Green Island scenic flights.

Our Great Barrier Reef helicopters operate from bases at the Cairns Domestic Airport, the Cairns Marlin Marina, Port Douglas, Horn Island and the Torres Straits.   

When you book your 10 or 15 minute scenic helicopter flight on our Great Barrier Reef Helicopters on Green Island you will have a pilot that not only experienced in his job but a pilot that also shares the passion and knowledge of the region and the Great Barrier Reef.

See a selection of more Great Barrier Reef scenic helicopter flights from Cairns

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Green Island

Departure Time

As per confirmed booking

Departure Instructions

As per confirmed booking

Pickup Locations

Green Island

• Green Island Heli pad

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Green Island
• Arlington Reef
• Vlasoff Cay
• Upolu Sand Cay

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

15 Minutes

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

Restrictions

• Weights of individual passengers and accompanying carry on luggage (max 5 kg) MUST be advised at time of booking
• A weight variance greater than 10% may incur an additional fee. Maximum single seat payload of 130kg.

Weight: Up to 130 Kg / 287 Lb

Additional Information

Bag not exceed 5kg

• Sunglasses
• Camera (charged)

• Children 3 years and older are legally required to occupy their own seat and therefore must pay the per seat price
• Children 0-2 years travel FOC on the lap of a parent / guardian (max 1 per flight).