
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour
Save $48.50 on our Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour for Families. 2nd Child Travels Free. One of our most popular Cairns reef tours, Green Island is a tropical island paradise and guests can enjoy full day and half day snorkel trips that depart daily from Cairns. Instant Book On Line Or Call 1300 761 612. Families, couples and guests from all over the world love to visit Green Island as it is a short boat ride across the water from the city of Cairns. When you get to the island there is so much to see and do like snorkelling, scuba diving, water sports, scenic helicopter flights, Marineland Melanesia, semi-submersible submarines, glass bottom boat tours and much more so make sure you book your Green Island adventure today!
Tour Code: 1
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$99.00
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and includes all levies, fees & taxes
Child $49.50
Family $247.50 Check My Price Now
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Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour
Save $48.50 on our Great Barrier Reef Tour for families. 2nd Child Travels Free
Cairns Reef Tour - Green Island Snorkel Tour - Full Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tours
The check in at the ferry cruises counter at the Cairns Reef Fleet terminal in Spence Street is organised and hassle free with a choice of various departure times of 9.00 am 11.00 am and 1.00 pm tours to Green Island giving you the choice of 2 hours (half day tour), 4 hours or 5 hours to spend snorkelling around the island and the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
On Board The Boat
The Green Island tour is approximately 45 minutes on the Reef Rocket and 90 minutes on the bigger ferry boat with the time passing very quickly as the scenery is beautiful and there is more than enough going on onboard the boat to keep you enthralled.
The ferry transfer boats are high speed catamarans so the ride is so smooth that you’ll hardly feel a thing and if you do think you suffer from sea sickness then this is a perfect short water crossing for you to get to see the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns.
The Green Island ferry crew will conduct on board presentations about the different types of coral that you will see during your half day or full days snorkeling and also the species of fish and other marine life that inhabit these corals over the course of your day on Green Island.
The Green Island ferry cruises team will give you safety briefings and show you how to use your snorkel equipment and point out the areas on Green Island where there are life guards on duty to ensure everyone is swimming along nicely and point out where pool noodles and flotation gear can be borrowed from the beach hut on Green Island.
Things To Do And See On Green Island
Green Island is an absolutely brilliant showcase for aquatic life. There is a beautiful resort on Green Island accompanied by all the activities one could wish to do on a Great Barrier Reef island.
There is scuba diving, semi submersible submarine tours, glass bottom boat tours, snorkeling, shopping, day spa, restaurants and cocktail bars and a pool area to just laze about.
Green Island is relatively small and can easily be walked around in about an hour or more for those wanting to explore. At low tide much of the coral close to shore are exposed which means if you are snorkeling you can go out for the better part of a kilometer.
Take a pool noodle and place it under your arms so you can be out snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef from Green Island for hours just drifting along at your own pace.
Snuba (diving) - Go Beyond Snorkelling - Optional Extra
Diving made easy! With Snubba you can reach depth of up to 3 metres without having to carry the diving equipment.
The air tanks floats on the surface whislt you breathe through a normal scuba regulator mouthpiece.
Please note the minimum age for Snuba is 12 and all participants are subject to a medical questionnaire.
Snuba Diving is a small guided tour with a maximum of 4 people.
No experience required.
Snuba Doo - Power Snorkel - Optional Extra
This a professionally guided tour with a maximum of 4 guests.
Very similar to Snuba (diving) except you wear a buoyancy jacket so you stay on the surface the whole time.
Great family activity - minimum age 6
Snorkel Tour Experience - Optional Extra
Excellent for beginners or to help build your confidence in the water.
During this 45 minute session you will practice using your snorkelling equipment in the shallow waters at Green Island straight off the beach.
Once you are comfortable you will explore the coral gardens with the assistance of an experienced snorkeller.
Maximum 4 people per guide, includes Snorkel Equipment (Snorkel Mask & Fins), Lycra Suit and Floatation Vest.
- Great way to get your confidence in the water
- Snorkelling techniques
- 45 minutes experience
- Ideal for beginners
- Practice in the shallow waters straight off the beach
- Explore the coral gardens
- Experienced Snorkeller to assist and supervise
- Includes Snorkelling Equipment – Mask & Fins, Lycra Suit and Floatation Vest
- Use of the above equipment for the rest of the day
Scenic Helicopter Flights From Green Island
The perfect way to see the Great Barrier Reef is both from above the water and below the water and when you choose a Green Island Day tour you can do both.
You and your family can book a 10 or 15 minute scenic helicopter flight to take you 500 feet above the reef so you can see all the beautiful coral formations and even spot Dolphins, Manta Ray or even Giant Humpback Whales and Dwarf Minke Whales (Whale season July to September).
Great Barrier Reef Helicopters have one of the largest and newest fleets of helicopters in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland offering visitors the most space and comfort possible for you to enjoy the view out over the reef from the large windows.
A scenic helicopter flight will also give you those same fantastic photographs that you see in the travel brochures and on the internet and now you have the chance to snap your very own Great Barrier Reef photographs for your holiday album.
When making your day tour to Green Island booking ask our team to add in a scenic helicopter flight also.
Green Island Glass Bottom Boat Tours
The fabulous glass bottom boat ride takes around twenty minutes or so and gives one a terrific idea about the diversity of marine life in and around the Great Barrier Reef.
You go out into the deep blue sea where the coral and marine life thrive in the deeper colder waters.
The fish feeding attracts all kinds of different species to the boat so make sure your camera is ready because there are so many great photo opportunities.
The glass bottom boat marine interpreter is informative and will point out and name the types of coral and fish as you cruise over the ocean floor just above the reef.
Green Island Semi Submersible Submarine Tour
The must book semi-submersible submarine tour is a fun ride as well showing you many more of the same fish from the glass walls in the concave of the submarine.
The perspective of the coral reef is totally different as you are cruising alongside the fish and they do not see you as a predator so the opportunity to see more fish and Green Sea Turtles is far greater so we do urge you to try the semi-submersible submarine whilst you are on Green Island.
On a few rare occasions giant Humpback whales have come alongside to take a look at the submarine to the delight of the guests inside the vessel.
These baleen whales frequent these waters from May to September on their annual Antartic migration.
If you have decided to skip all the activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving and helmet diving make sure that you take both boat tours as they are both great ways to see the reef and surrounding marine life without getting your hair wet and just the perfect way for the non swimmers to see and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef and her wonders also.
Snorkeling on Green Island
Snorkeling around Green Island is an excellent way to see the fish and other creatures of the Great Barrier Reef. The shallow waters that surround the island make snorkeling a good idea even for the most novices of swimmers.
As you get off the ferry cruise boat and walk onto the jetty the best area to snorkel is immediately on your right but please note this area is not patrolled by surf life savers and is only recommended for the better swimmers and snorkellers.
Here you may even have the chance of seeing a small shark. Nothing that could really harm anyone, just little black or white reef tip sharks so don’t be shy jump into it and start your snorkeling adventure.
Just off the lifeguard patrolled area which is on the northern tip of Green Island is a pretty good spot to see small fish and underwater sea life. On a low tide this area is ok but you will need to go out from the beach quite a long way to see bigger fish and more diversity of creatures so a flotation vest or pool noodle is recommended so you can go the distance and spend some leisurely time floating about watching the activity below the waters surface.
Scuba Diving Green Island
Scuba diving is a little similar but different at the same time. Experienced swimmers are required for scuba diving and the instruction process is a bit more intense.
You are less restricted for space while scuba diving as opposed to sea walking as you stay in a small area.
Much of the same things will be seen while doing both types of diving as you are on the oceans floor so if you are a poor swimmer and don’t want to get your hair wet then we recommend the helmet dive.
For the most complete experience be sure to sign up on your booking form for your first introductory dive or pre-book for your certified dives on your booking reservation form.
When you board the ferry boat tour you will be required to fill out "Medical Forms" and show your certified divers card and then the crew will help you with the rest.
The fish are exciting to see in action especially when it is feeding time. Enjoy a Green Island scuba diving experience and you won’t be disappointed as you get to go out to the deeper colder waters and this is where the best of the coral and marine life lives.
There are many exciting activities to do and see on a Great Barrier Reef Green Island cruise. Be sure to do as much as possible as this will certainly make for the most well rounded experience.
The boat ride back will be a very relaxing well-deserved break from the fun filled day you have just had on your Great Barrier Reef tour with Green Island Ferry Cruises.
See more Green Island snorkel tour options and more Cairns reef tours
Included in Price
High speed catamaran transfers to Green Island
Choice of snorkeling gear or glass bottom boat tour OR for an additional fee you can get both
Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island
Self guided island walk
Free WiFi on all vessels
For Bookings Call Now!
1300 761 612
Optional Extras
Snuba
Snuba Doo
Semi-submarine coral view tour
Glass bottom boat
Marineland Melanesia
Semi-submarine coral view tour
Glass bottom boat
Marineland Melanesia
Snorkel Tour Experience
Helicopter Scenic Flights (subject to availability on the day)
Tour Languages Offered
Duration
5 Hours on Green Island - 9:00am Departure (Big Cat)
4 Hours on Green Island- 11:00am Departure (Reef Rocket)
Return to Cairns at 5:00pm for both tours
Departure
9:00am or 11:00am
Days of Operation
Daily
Surcharge applies on Christmas Day
Departs From
Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns
Departure Instructions
Cruises depart from Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Passengers making their own way should check in at least 30 minutes before departure time. Please advise at time of booking if you require accommodation transfers.
Pickup From
- Cairns
- Palm Cove
- Cairns Beaches
What To Bring
Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, towel, shirt to swim in (slip, slop, slap) cash or credit card for snorkel deposit, cash for drinks and snacks. Film, sunscreen and souvenirs available for sale on board the boat tour. Snorkeling deposit: $30 "Refundable Deposit" is required for the hire of snorkeling gear — cash or credit card imprint.
Fitness Level Required
Low - Medium
Child Policies
Child Fare 4 - 14 years inclusive
Infants 3 and under travel free
Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST
One child travels free as part of a family (2 adults & 2 children)
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations must be in writing. Please note that all cancellations will incur an administration fee. Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.
Operator’s Cancellation Policy:
Subject to availability, changing of travel date is possible and permitted at no extra charge. Please provide as much notice as possible. Subject to circumstances, tour operator reserves the right to apply a cancellation fee for bookings cancelled within 24 hours of travel. Please note – cancellation fees apply to group bookings.
Destinations
Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef
Christina
Everyone loves a day trip to Green Island; it’s just perfect for all age groups from babies to grandmas and grandpas. Lots to do and see, plenty of shade, swimming pool, shops and restaurants. We highly recommend you spend a lazy day on this gorgeous little island. We love it as locals and love to spend the whole weekend over here as a little getaway. Best value reef trip in Cairns! Make sure you go and see the huge crocodile and turtles at Marineland Melanesia you will love it.
Read more about this tour operator
Want to know more?2020 - 2022
1 Apr 20 - 31 Mar 2209:00am Departure | ||||||||
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FDBC Pak 1 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear | 9:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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FDBC Pak 3 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear + SemiSub | 9:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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FDBC Pak 2 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear + Lunch | 9:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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FDBC Pak 4 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear + Lunch & SemiSub | 9:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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11:00am Departure | ||||||||
FDRR Pak 1 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear | 11:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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FDRR Pak 3 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear + SemiSub | 11:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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FDRR Pak 2 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear + Lunch | 11:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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FDRR Pak 4 | Standard Inclusions: Cruise + Your CHOICE Glass Bottom Boat OR Snorkel Gear + Lunch & SemiSub | 11:00am Check My Price | Check My Price |
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Optional Extras for 2020 - 2022
The following optional extras can be purchased at time of booking.
Flotation Vest Hire |
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Glass Bottom Boat Tour |
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Lycra Suit Hire |
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Marineland Melanesia |
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Return Coach Transfers Cairns |
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Return Coach Transfers Northern Beaches (Startford to Ellis Beach) |
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Snorkel Experience Tour |
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Snorkel Safari Tour |
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Snorkelling Gear (Deposit Required On The Day) |
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Snuba - Go Beyond Snorkelling |
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Snuba Doo - Power Snorkel |
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Wet Suit Hire |
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Information for Disabled Travellers
Big Cat Green Island Great Barrier Reef Cruises Disability Summary – Big Cat & Reef Rocket Transfer Vessels to Green Island
Location: Marlin Marina, Cairns.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Low (manual/collapsible)
Facilities
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Toilets on-board both vessels are not purpose built for wheelchairs access.
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Wheelchair accessible toilets available on Green Island.
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Boardwalks throughout island (no wheelchair access on beach).
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Wheelchair car park located adjacent to the Reef Fleet Terminal check in location.
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Unable to accommodate electric wheelchairs.
Boarding Access to Vessels
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Depending on tides as to the gangways utilised and the amount of stairs required to navigate on board both vessels, at Green Island and Cairns piers. (Photos available)
On-Board Vessels
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Big Cat has a wide flight of 12 stairs from lower to upper deck.
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Reef Rocket has seating space on the front deck and a small raised step to access to main cabin.
Activities on the Island
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Marineland Melanesia is wheelchair accessible.
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Glass Bottom Boat – 3 steps to negotiate, unable to accommodate wheelchair and must be able to sit unassisted. Departs from the lower back deck of Big Cat.
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Semi-submersible – 6 narrow steps to negotiate, unable to accommodate wheelchair and must be able to sit unassisted. Departs from the lower back deck of Big Cat.
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Snorkelling - beaches are not wheelchair accessible. Passenger must be able to swim and buoyancy jackets available.
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Walkways throughout island with access to eateries.
Transfers
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No wheelchair access available must have collapsible wheelchair and negotiate 3 steps.
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Wheelchair accessible taxi is available at own cost.
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Disabled parking available at car park adjacent to Reef Fleet Terminal check in area.
Hearing Impaired Information
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Visual information can be tailored made on request.
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Maps of Green island available.
Visually Impaired Information
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No specific aids available; travel with carer preferable.
Companion Card Information
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Holders of current ‘Companion Cards’ are eligible for complimentary return travel to Green Island on basic packages. The Companion Card must be presented at check-in. Carers wishing to add optional extras such as lunch and/or semi-submarine tour will be charged the applicable retail rate. This discount is not applicable in conjunction with other discounts.
Wheelchair Access
Low
Caters for Visually Impaired
Yes - see information
Caters for Hearing Impaired
Yes - see information
Guest Reviews
- 1-15 of 15 reviews
Average Rating

REVIEWED
22 May 2018
The catamaran ride out to Green Island was beautiful, weather sunny though very windy and rough conditions on the water. The boat rocked more than usual though felt safe and must admit, quite a fun ride going over the waves!
Green Island is magical. Took my Mum there for the first time, she loved it. Walking through the national park and swimming in the waters were highlights.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Maryann thank you very much for your review on your Great Barrier Reef tour to Green Island
Glad to hear your mum enjoyed it and it will be a memory you will both share forever
Thank you from The Tour Specialists team and we look forward to seeing you again soon as we know you love visiting Cairns

REVIEWED
13 March 2018
My trip was superb. The staff on board the boat were all consummate professionals, very friendly, and very very helpful.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Thanks for the great feedback Mark. The Tour Specialists are pleased you had a great day on Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef.

REVIEWED
22 November 2017
was a great day out with our 3 year old son. lots of swimming and fish seen on the flat bottom boat plus five turtles
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Green Island is the ideal location for families with a variety of activities for all ages. We are happy to hear you had a great day and look forward to see you back again soon.

REVIEWED
17 October 2017
What an amazing day! Absolutely loved the big cat ride out to/coming back from Green Island. The island is quite special. Highlight for me is swimming in the waters... so clear, fresh and a gorgeous turquoise 'paradise' colour. A place I will never forget and will definately return to.
To sit above deck and feel the reef breeze riding along the Coral Sea, was the best feeling. Snorkelling is something I will try next time. Marineland Melanesia was nice to look through, the croc show was the highlight there! Lovely to see crocs looking relaxed!
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Dear Maryann,
Thank you for your feedback, we are very pleased to hear that you had the best time on Green Island!
We are looking forward to hear from your whenever you are planning to visit Far North Queensland again!

REVIEWED
13 September 2017
Had a great day here. Green Island is lovely and Melanesian Marineland was terrific as well. Would highly recommend a visit. Trip across on the Big Cat was very quick and most enjoyable.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Hi Kerrie, Big Cat Cruises- Green Island is a great way to experience not only great snorkelling but also the largest crocodile in captivity- Cassius as the star of the show at Marineland Melanesia

REVIEWED
08 August 2017
Great tour - well organised, good amount of time for each activity
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Thanks Amanda - it is always nice to hear our guests have enjoyed their time on Green Island. We are pleased on your full day you were able to enjoy the many activities available with plenty of time. The Tour Specialists look forward to helping you out with any future Cairns holiday plans.

REVIEWED
08 July 2017
Our favourite part was the the glass bottom boat ride but we were very disappointed in the buffet lunch we paid for. There were hardly any options and it was definitely not worth the money. Sub-par.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Thank you for the review of the Great Barrier Reef tour Sara. We have passed on your comments with regards to the buffet lunch to the tour operator. Please come back and see us in Cairns and call us directly so we may personalise some tours for you

REVIEWED
08 June 2017
Fantastic place to visit .The lunch on the boat not so good .Better off buying your food on the island .Tour staff on board great bunch.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review

REVIEWED
05 June 2017
the trip would have been great except the weather was not great. Very windy sea had a bit of a swell happening so not the best. On the Island it was great very friendly and had a great look around. Will be going back hopefully the weather will be better but it was a great experience
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Hi Mark, we wish we could control the weather but unfortunately not. We are pleased that in spite of the not-so-ideal conditions you were able to enjoy your day and The Tour Specialists look forward to welcoming you back on one of our many calm and sunny days.

REVIEWED
25 April 2017
We arrived as per the voucher instructions however this was far too early.
The sea was very rough and lots of people were ill, but the crew were very apt at managing this situation.
The food was limited, especially for vegetarians.
The tour was as we expected though - the rough seas reduced visibility.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Thank you for your review of your Great Barrier Reef tour Andrew. April was certainly an unusually tough month for us in Tropical North Queensland this year with the wet weather we had! Please do come back again when the sun is shining as you will enjoy it so munch better.

REVIEWED
08 October 2016
great day!
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Thank you Julie,
We are so luck to have such great coral and marine life just a short 45 minute boat ride form Cairns city centre. Happy to hear you had a great day on Green Island and look forward to welcoming your back soon.

REVIEWED
08 September 2016
The trip was great. The ride over was very comfortable and there were drinks for sale on the boat. The island itself was beatiful and we chose to go snorkeling. The equipment was conveniently provided and we saw some beautiful fish. Would definitely recommend this trip for the price.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
We are delighted you enjoyed your day on Green Island. Being a short 45 minute ferry ride from Cairns city, make it ideal for a half or full day snorkelling tour or just to relax on the beach. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Great Barrier reef again soon

REVIEWED
24 July 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed our tour to Green Island. It was definitely an experience to remember and would love to do it again.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review

REVIEWED
07 July 2016
We did enjoy the semi submarine and walk track around the island. But we have no luck with snorkeling as it was low tide.
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
- 1-15 of 15 reviews
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REVIEWED
31 October 2018
Wonderful snorkeling, great service and beautiful island
Cairns Reef Tours | Green Island Snorkel Tour | FULL DAY Great Barrier Reef Tour Guest Review
Response from The Tour Specialists
Thank you for sharing your feedback about beautiful Green Island. We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your trip to The Great Barrier Reef!