Green Island is a beautiful 6000 year old coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, just 27km offshore from Cairns, and one of the most popular destinations on the Great Barrier Reef for visitors coming to Far North Queensland.
The Green Island Ferry departs Cairns 3 times daily. Your journey to Great Island takes only 45 minutes.
Select from the transfer only option or include snorkeling and glass bottom boat for your Green Island experience.
Green Island Ferry Features
There are several ways to visit Green Island, and the main difference between tours comes down to how much time you want on the island and what activities you'd like included.
Full-day tours depart Cairns in the morning and return in the late afternoon, giving you anywhere from five to seven hours on the island depending on the operator and departure time. Some full-day tours include just the ferry transfer, while others bundle in snorkelling gear, a glass bottom boat tour, or both.
Half-day tours run in the afternoon, departing Cairns around 1pm and returning by 5pm. These give you a solid couple of hours on the island — enough time to snorkel, take a glass bottom boat ride, or simply relax on the beach. A half-day trip is a good option if you have other plans in the morning or prefer not to spend a whole day out on the water.
Combo tours are also available for visitors who want to see more of the reef in a single day. One option includes a stop at Green Island in the morning followed by an afternoon at an outer reef pontoon, where you can snorkel over deeper coral, visit an underwater observatory, and enjoy a buffet lunch. It's a longer day but covers a lot of ground.
Two operators run regular services to Green Island — Great Adventures and Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises. Both depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal area in Cairns. All vessels are modern, air-conditioned catamarans.
Ferry times vary slightly between operators, so it's worth checking your specific tour, but here's a general guide.
Great Adventures offers multiple departures:
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises runs two services:
With Great Adventures, you can mix and match your departure and return times depending on how long you want to stay, which is handy if you'd rather have a shorter or longer visit. Big Cat operates on a fixed schedule for each tour.
Check-in is generally 30 minutes before departure. Big Cat passengers check in at the vessels at Marlin Wharf, while Great Adventures check-in is at their counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
If you'd rather stay dry but still want to see the coral and marine life, a glass bottom boat tour is a great option. These guided tours last around 30 minutes and take you over the reef surrounding Green Island, so you can watch the fish and coral from the comfort of a seated boat.
Glass bottom boat tours are included with several of the day tour packages. On some tours, you choose between snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat ride. On others, both are bundled together. If your tour doesn't include a glass bottom boat, you can usually arrange one on the island.
The glass bottom boats are suitable for all ages and are a particularly good choice for young children, older visitors, or anyone who isn't confident in the water.
Green Island is one of the easiest places to try snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. The beaches slope gently into the water, so you can wade in at your own pace, ideal for beginners and families with children. The coral starts close to shore, so you don't need to swim far to spot reef fish, sea turtles, and colourful coral formations.
Most tour packages include snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, and fins), or give you the choice between snorkelling gear and a glass bottom boat ride. If you need a prescription mask, these are available to hire from the island's dive shop, usually at no extra charge.
A lifeguard service operates on the island, and safe snorkelling tips are provided on the boat journey over. Buoyancy vests and lycra suits can be hired from the dive shop if you'd like a little extra confidence or sun protection in the water.
For a more in-depth experience, Great Adventures offers a Marine Biologist Guided Snorkel Tour as an optional extra, where a marine biologist takes you through the reef and points out what you're seeing. Spaces are limited, so it's worth asking about when you arrive.
Tucked away on the island is Marineland Melanesia, a small aquarium and cultural museum that's been a Green Island fixture for decades. The main drawcard is Cassius, a saltwater crocodile recognised as the largest crocodile held in captivity in the world. It's a surprisingly impressive sight and worth a visit, especially if you're travelling with kids.
The attraction also houses a collection of Melanesian artefacts and a small aquarium with local marine life. Entry is separate from the ferry tours, but it's an easy add-on while you're exploring the island.
Lunch isn't included with most ferry-only and standard day tour packages, but there are several places to eat on the island.
Emeralds Restaurant offers à la carte dining with a full menu and kids' options. It's fully licensed and serves lunch from 11am. They also have a lunch combo deal that includes a meal and a drink.
Canopy Grill is more casual, serving burgers, fish and chips, salads, and ice cream. It's open from 10am to 3pm and is a good choice if you want something quick and easy.
Lite Bites Café has barista coffee, sandwiches, salads, and lighter snacks, open from 9:30am to 4pm.
Reflections Pool Bar serves drinks, cocktails, and snacks by the pool from 10am to 4pm.
You're also welcome to bring your own picnic lunch — there are picnic tables on the island. This is a popular option for families looking to keep costs down.
If you'd prefer lunch included, the Big Cat full-day tour offers an optional hot and cold buffet lunch served on board the vessel at Green Island. The combo tour that visits both Green Island and the outer reef also includes a buffet lunch at the reef pontoon.
It's worth noting that a surcharge applies to food and beverages on public holidays.
Green Island has a lovely boardwalk trail that loops through the island's rainforest. The walk is 1.3 kilometres return and takes under an hour at a leisurely pace. It leads through the national park forest to the south-east beach, passing through thick tropical vegetation with the chance to spot some of the island's resident bird life.
A self-guided Eco Walk brochure is available from the island's information centre in six languages, so you can learn about the plants and ecology along the way. The boardwalk has been voted one of Queensland's top bushwalks, which is quite an achievement for such a small island.
Great Adventures guests also have access to a Marine Biologist Island Walk, where a guide shares insights about the island's ecosystem. This is included with their tours, though spots can fill up.
If your plan is simply to relax, there's plenty of gear available for hire on the island. You can rent sun lounges, beach umbrellas, canoes, surf skis, and beach volleyball equipment. The beaches are clean and uncrowded, with shady spots under the trees if you prefer to stay out of the sun.
The island also has a swimming pool that is available exclusively to Great Adventures guests — a nice option for younger children or anyone wanting a break from saltwater.
Beach Hire Hut Prices
For more information, see the friendly crew at the Beach Hire Hut.
1 Hour Green Island Snorkel Tour gives you the opportunity to experience much more of Green Island’s amazing marine life. After a short 5 minute boat trip offshore, you will be at one of our four beautiful dive and snorkel sites, about 1.5km from Green Island. Be ready to snorkel amongst colourful marine life and coral gardens, as our lifeguard supervises and directs you to the best areas of the site. (buoyancy vests included)
You will have around 30 minutes snorkeling time. We highly recommend adding the snorkel tour to your day on Green Island.
Snorkel tours run frequently. Organise your time slot with the staff on the vessel on the day of your Green Island day trip.
Boat Snorkel Tour Prices
Green Island has shops and hire facilities, but it helps to come prepared. Here's what to pack:
You don't need to bring snorkelling gear if your tour includes it, but you're welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, located right on the waterfront beside the Esplanade Lagoon. The Reef Fleet Terminal is Cairns’ main departure hub for Green Island & Great Barrier Reef tours, with check‑in counters, seating areas, cafés, and direct access to the marina berths. It’s the central point where all major reef operators begin their day trips.
If you’re staying in central Cairns, it’s an easy, flat walk from most hotels and apartments.
For travellers staying further out — including the northern beaches from the airport through to Ellis Beach — hotel transfer services are available. These need to be arranged at the time of booking so your pickup can be scheduled correctly.
Green Island is reasonably accessible, though there are some limitations to be aware of.
Prams can be taken on board the ferries and used on the island's boardwalks and pathways. Beach areas are sandy and not pram-friendly, but the paved paths cover most of the island's facilities.
Standard wheelchairs can generally be accommodated on the vessels and around the island, provided the passenger has some mobility or is travelling with a carer. Embarkation and disembarkation levels can vary with the tides, so conditions may differ from day to day. Disabled toilet facilities are available on the island, though the vessel toilets are not wheelchair accessible.
Electric wheelchairs unfortunately cannot be accommodated on the vessels or transfer coaches.
If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair, it's important to let the operator know at the time of booking so they can make arrangements.
How far away is Green Island from Cairns?
Green Island is located 27km offshore from Cairns, within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
How long does it take to get there?
Ferry transfers take just 45 minutes. Ideal for those who are short of time and looking for a quick getaway, or for those who are sensitive to the motion of the ocean, after a quick ferry ride you'll be on dry land where all reef & island activities take place.
When is the best time to visit?
Situated in the tropics the climate is favourable year round, making it suitable for water activities anytime. The warm waters range in temperature from 22-29 Celsius (75-85 Fahrenheit).
Is Green Island suitable for my family?
Green Island is an easy trip for people of all ages. The half day options are ideal for small children, infants, babies and the elderly. The facilities on the island provide ease and convenience.
Can I bring my own lunch?
Yes you can bring your own packed lunch or choose to dine at one of the various food outlets. Some tour operators include lunch in their package rates.
Is the island wheelchair accessible?
Green Island is wheely friendly. Wide paved or timber walkways allow for wheelchair access and there are disabled toilets.
Will I see turtles?
There is a high chance you will get to see a turtle. The sea grasses surrounding Green Island are a popular feeding ground for green sea turtles, they can be frequently spotted from the jetty.
