Catamaran, Half or Full Day
Great Adventures runs catamaran crossings from Cairns to Green Island, half or full day.
Check availability
Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours: Cruises, Snorkelling And Prices
Compare every Green Island day tour from Cairns: cruises, snorkel and dive trips, sailing and glass-bottom boats.
- A$110lowest per-person from-price across these tours
- 45 minutesCrossing · Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Green Island by fast catamaran, as published by Great Adventures and Big Cat
- A$112Tours from · adult ferry transfer on the Great Adventures fare sheet valid 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027; the Discovery Tour with snorkel and glass-bottom boat is A$156
- 27 kmOffshore · Green Island sits 27 km off Cairns, per Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Cairns: Green Island Full & Half Day Cruise Options
from A$112 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 5 to 9 hours (half or full day)
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start (listing text).
- Run by
- Great Adventures Reef & Island Cruises
Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours By The Numbers
A$8.50
Reef charge · GBRMPA full-day Environmental Management Charge per person; rises to A$9.00 from 1 April 2027
3 tracks
Island walks · Beach walk 1.5 km circuit, Boardwalk 1.3 km return, Jetty walk 500 m return, all graded Easy by Queensland Parks
35.1%
Northern GBR hard coral · AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program 2026 region-wide average, up from 30.0% in 2025 and above the 27.0% long-term average
Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours By Trip Type
Day cruises
Big Cat Full Day, Snorkel Choice
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises runs an eight-hour full-day crossing from Cairns out to Green Island, on the Great Barrier Reef.
Check availability
Afternoon Half Day
A four-hour afternoon run from Cairns to Green Island with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises.
Check availabilityReef combos
Schooner Cruise, Wine on Return
Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom run this nine-hour sailing day from Cairns to Green Island and the reef.
Check availability
Two Islands, One Day
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises pairs two islands in one eight-hour day: time on Green Island plus a stop at Fitzroy Island, all from Cairns.
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Reef Flight Plus Cruise Combo
GSL Aviation pairs a scenic flight with a cruise back from Green Island, all in one 9.5-hour day.
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Buffet Lunch, Moore Reef Platform
Great Adventures combines a stop on Green Island with time at an Outer Reef pontoon, all in a single eight-hour day from Cairns; the listing shows a struck-through fare against the current A$312 price.
Check availabilityDiving and Seawalker
Small-Group Schooner, Optional Dive
A small-group sailing day to Green Island and the reef, run by Ocean Free with dive options available.
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Seawalker Helmet, No Swimming
The Quicksilver Group runs this seven-hour trip combining a Seawalker helmet walk on the reef floor with snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride.
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Full Day, Scuba Equipment Included
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises runs this full-day, eight-hour trip from Cairns to Green Island with scuba diving built into the package from A$250.
Check availabilityNarrow The Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours List To Your Day
A starting shortlist of the best-reviewed trips. Answer any question and it rebuilds.
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Catamaran, Half or Full Day
5 to 9 hours (half or full day) · Free cancellation
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Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours Side By Side
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All 16 tours, most reviewed first. Tap a sort chip twice to flip the order.
| Tour | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran, Half or Full DayGreat Adventures Reef & Island Cruises | 5 to 9 hours (half or full day) | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$112 | ★ 4.41,933 reviews | Check availability |
| Big Cat Full Day, Snorkel ChoiceBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 8 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$110 | ★ 4.51,727 reviews | Check availability |
| Schooner Cruise, Wine on ReturnCairns Premier Reef & Island Tours (Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom) | 9 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$289 | ★ 4.9682 reviews | Check availability |
| Afternoon Half DayBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 4 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$110 | ★ 4.3473 reviews | Check availability |
| 4-Hour Morning Half DayBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 4 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$110 | ★ 4.1469 reviews | Check availability |
| Small-Group Schooner, Optional DiveOcean Free and Ocean Freedom | 9 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$289 | ★ 4.8413 reviews | Check availability |
| Snorkel and Glass-Bottom Boat IncludedThe Quicksilver Group (Great Adventures) | 7 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$156 | ★ 4.2410 reviews | Check availability |
| 6 Hours, Snorkel or Glass BottomThe Quicksilver Group (Great Adventures) | 6 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$127 | ★ 4.1335 reviews | Check availability |
| 11am Start, Full DayBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 6 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$110 | ★ 4.3273 reviews | Check availability |
| Two Islands, One DayBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 8 hours | Fitzroy Island | A$196 | ★ 4.1187 reviews | Check availability |
| Reef Flight Plus Cruise ComboGSL Aviation | 9.5 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$429 | ★ 4.4127 reviews | Check availability |
| Buffet Lunch, Moore Reef PlatformGreat Adventures Reef & Island Cruises | 8 hours | Moore Reef | A$312 | ★ 4.698 reviews | Check availability |
| Seawalker Helmet, No SwimmingThe Quicksilver Group (Great Adventures) | 7 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$289 | ★ 4.198 reviews | Check availability |
| City Hotel Transfers IncludedBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 8 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$157 | ★ 4.523 reviews | Check availability |
| Northern Beaches TransfersBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 8 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$167 | ★ 4.514 reviews | Check availability |
| Full Day, Scuba Equipment IncludedBig Cat Green Island Reef Cruises | 8 hours | Green Island National Park Boardwalk | A$250 | ★ 4.910 reviews | Check availability |
| No tours match those filters. Try widening the duration range or clearing the category and the Green Island trips will reappear. | |||||
Best Months For Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours
Cairns rainfall (mm)
Cairns air temperature31.5 max / 23.8 min31.3 max / 23.8 min30.7 max / 23.2 min29.4 max / 21.8 min27.7 max / 20.0 min26.1 max / 18.0 min25.9 max / 17.2 min26.7 max / 17.4 min28.2 max / 18.8 min29.7 max / 20.7 min30.8 max / 22.4 min31.5 max / 23.4 min
- Under 50 mm
- 50 to 150 mm
- 150 to 350 mm
- Over 350 mm
- Not named
- This month
January
Cairns rainfall (mm): 404.8 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Cyclone season
Cairns air temperature (C): 31.5 max / 23.8 min
February
Cairns rainfall (mm): 437.5 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Cyclone season
Cairns air temperature (C): 31.3 max / 23.8 min
March
Cairns rainfall (mm): 422.1 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Cyclone season
Cairns air temperature (C): 30.7 max / 23.2 min
April
Cairns rainfall (mm): 201.8 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Cyclone season (to 30 April)
Cairns air temperature (C): 29.4 max / 21.8 min
May
Cairns rainfall (mm): 92 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Outside season
Cairns air temperature (C): 27.7 max / 20.0 min
June
Cairns rainfall (mm): 45.5 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Outside season
Cairns air temperature (C): 26.1 max / 18.0 min
July
Cairns rainfall (mm): 33.2 Stinger risk: Lower risk, still possible Cyclone season: Outside season
Cairns air temperature (C): 25.9 max / 17.2 min
August
Cairns rainfall (mm): 26.5 Stinger risk: Lower risk, still possible Cyclone season: Outside season
Cairns air temperature (C): 26.7 max / 17.4 min
September
Cairns rainfall (mm): 34.1 Stinger risk: Lower risk, still possible Cyclone season: Outside season
Cairns air temperature (C): 28.2 max / 18.8 min
October
Cairns rainfall (mm): 47.2 Stinger risk: Lower risk, still possible Cyclone season: Outside season
Cairns air temperature (C): 29.7 max / 20.7 min
November
Cairns rainfall (mm): 87.9 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Cyclone season
Cairns air temperature (C): 30.8 max / 22.4 min
December
Cairns rainfall (mm): 193.8 Stinger risk: Stinger suit advised Cyclone season: Cyclone season
Cairns air temperature (C): 31.5 max / 23.4 min
Open the full table
| Month | Cairns air temperature (C) | Cairns rainfall (mm) | Stinger risk | Cyclone season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.5 max / 23.8 min | 404.8 | Stinger suit advised | Cyclone season |
| February | 31.3 max / 23.8 min | 437.5 | Stinger suit advised | Cyclone season |
| March | 30.7 max / 23.2 min | 422.1 | Stinger suit advised | Cyclone season |
| April | 29.4 max / 21.8 min | 201.8 | Stinger suit advised | Cyclone season (to 30 April) |
| May | 27.7 max / 20.0 min | 92 | Stinger suit advised | Outside season |
| June | 26.1 max / 18.0 min | 45.5 | Stinger suit advised | Outside season |
| July | 25.9 max / 17.2 min | 33.2 | Lower risk, still possible | Outside season |
| August | 26.7 max / 17.4 min | 26.5 | Lower risk, still possible | Outside season |
| September | 28.2 max / 18.8 min | 34.1 | Lower risk, still possible | Outside season |
| October | 29.7 max / 20.7 min | 47.2 | Lower risk, still possible | Outside season |
| November | 30.8 max / 22.4 min | 87.9 | Stinger suit advised | Cyclone season |
| December | 31.5 max / 23.4 min | 193.8 | Stinger suit advised | Cyclone season |
Green Island, Fitzroy Island Or The Outer Reef: How They Compare
| Green Island | Fitzroy Island | Outer reef pontoon (Moore Reef) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossing from Cairns | About 45 minutes by fast catamaran (Great Adventures, Big Cat) | About 45 minutes on the Fitzroy Flyer | About 90 minutes (Sunlover and Reef Magic) |
| Time at the destination | Great Adventures return boats leave the island at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm; outbound boats leave Cairns at 8:30 am and 10:30 am | Depends on the operator's timetable | About 4 hours at the reef (Sunlover), 5 hours (Reef Magic) |
| Setting | 6,000 year old coral cay with rainforest, 27 km offshore; Green Island National Park inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Rainforest national park with beaches and walking tracks | Floating activity pontoon on the outer reef |
| In the water | Snorkel straight off the beach; seagrass beds with turtles and coral bommies (Queensland Parks); glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible | Snorkel gear is part of the Sunlover Best of Island package | Snorkel, glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible, underwater observatory (Sunlover) |
| On land | Resort, restaurants, Marineland Melanesia crocodile habitat open 9 am to 4 pm, three short walks | Walking tracks through the national park | Pontoon only, with a buffet lunch served at midday (Sunlover) |
Where Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours Depart And Land
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Island
- Catamaran, Half or Full Dayfrom A$112
- Big Cat Full Day, Snorkel Choicefrom A$110
Departure Points
- Catamaran, Half or Full Dayfrom A$112
- Big Cat Full Day, Snorkel Choicefrom A$110
Attraction
- Catamaran, Half or Full Dayfrom A$112
- Big Cat Full Day, Snorkel Choicefrom A$110
Reef
- Buffet Lunch, Moore Reef Platformfrom A$312
- Green IslandIsland
- Green Island JettyIsland · 400 m from Green Island in a straight line
- Fitzroy IslandIsland · 19 km from Green Island in a straight line
- Reef Fleet Terminal, CairnsDeparture Points · 27 km from Green Island in a straight line
- Cairns Marlin MarinaDeparture Points · 27 km from Green Island in a straight line
- Cairns Airport (GSL Aviation)Departure Points · 27 km from Green Island in a straight line
- Marineland MelanesiaAttraction · 50 m from Green Island in a straight line
- Green Island ResortAttraction · 170 m from Green Island in a straight line
- Green Island National Park BoardwalkAttraction · 70 m from Green Island in a straight line
- Moore ReefReef · 31 km from Green Island in a straight line
What Guests Say About Green Island Great Barrier Reef Tours
These guest quotes are copied verbatim from each tour's own booking listing; we do not collect or edit them, only choose which to show.
“Fantastic. Snorkelled for an hour and saw heaps of turtles, fish and coral. Beautiful island and all staff on the island and boat were very approachable.”
“Great tour. We thoroughly enjoyed it from the boat ride to the island to the glass bottom boat and the semi sub rides.”
“We were tossing up between this one and Fitzroy Island. I'm so glad we chose this one. The water was just incredible, from the wharf you can see the fish and reef.”
“Steve our guide, was caring and pleasant. Enjoyed the breakfast and lunch, both excellent. Enjoyable trip. Just wanted a bit more time at the rainforest.”
Where To Stay Before Your Green Island Day
Green Island Resort
Green Island, Great Barrier Reef (27 km off Cairns)
varies by date; check live rates on the booking page
Check rates
Hilton Cairns
34 The Esplanade, Cairns
varies by date; check live rates on the booking page
Check rates
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Pierpoint Road, Cairns (beside the Reef Fleet Terminal)
varies by date; check live rates on the booking page
Check ratesGreen Island Great Barrier Reef Tours FAQ
Can you snorkel at Green Island without a boat trip?
Yes, and it is one of the easiest reef snorkel spots to reach from Cairns (see Why Cairns Is Famous). Green Island sits directly on the reef, so coral and fish start close to shore.
Can non-swimmers still enjoy a Green Island day trip?
They can, comfortably. Glass-bottom boats show the coral through the hull with no swimming at all, and the walk from the jetty to the beach is short and flat.
What does a Green Island day trip cost from Cairns?
Published from-prices across the 16 tours here run from A$110 to A$429 per person. The Big Cat cruises, full day or half day, all start at A$110, while the Great Adventures flexible listing starts at A$112.
Where in Cairns do the Green Island boats leave from?
All 16 tours depart from Cairns, most from the Reef Fleet Terminal at the Marlin Marina. If getting there is a hassle, two Big Cat full-day listings add transfers: city hotel pickup from A$157, or northern beaches coverage from A$167.
How many hours do you actually get on Green Island?
Durations run from 4 hours on the half-day cruises to 9.5 hours on the fly and cruise package. The later-start trip is 6 hours, standard full days are 8, and both sailing tours run 9.
Can you cancel if your Cairns plans change?
Every tour on this site carries free cancellation, which matters when Cairns weather turns. The cut-off window differs by listing, so check the cancellation terms on the live booking page before paying.
Green Island Guides And Answers
Guides
Big Cat Cruise Guide
Day Trip From Cairns
Diving On Green Island
Ferry Cost And Reef Tax
Ferry Times And Tickets
Free Things To Do
Glass Bottom Boat And Semi-Submarine Tours On Green Island
Green Island Vs Fitzroy
Green Island With Kids
Half Day Tours
Is The Reef Dead?
Island And Reef Combos
Island Or Outer Reef
Reef Fleet Terminal
Resort And Overnight
Seawalker And Marineland
Snorkelling Guide
Stinger Season Cairns
Tours Compared
Weather And Best Time
Where To Stay In Cairns
Answers
- Avoiding Seasickness
- Best Reef Month
- Best Snorkelling Tour
- Crocs At Green Island
- Days In Cairns
- Ferry Only Or Tour
- Green Island Snorkelling
- Is Green Island Worth It?
- Is The Glass Bottom Boat Tour Worth It At Green Island?
- Reef Tax Explained
- Snorkel Colours
- Snorkel Hire On Green Island
- Snorkel Safety
- Swimming At Green Island
- Time On Green Island
- Trip Costs From Cairns
- Turtles On Green Island
- When Not To Visit
- Why Cairns Is Famous