Enjoy a scenic cruise to the popular Green Island and spend hours exploring the beautiful coral cay with a full day cruise from Cairns departing at 9am. On board the 'Big Cat', a luxury 35-metre catamaran, you'll be comfortably transported to the island to enjoy a total of 5 hours exploring the island and enjoying some of its best attractions. With optional complimentary snorkelling equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour, you'll be able to see the beautiful reef from either the water or from the dry and comfortable seat of the glass bottom boat. While on green island you can also enjoy the various walking trails through the rainforest to see the other side of this tropical paradise. Tours return back to Cairns by 5pm and the journey takes around 45 minutes to an hour depending on the weather conditions.
Extra shallow water snorkelling is well worth it! Big Cat staff and guides are super helpful and friendly.
We travelled with a family of 4 (2 children aged 3 and 8) and 2 grandparents. The trip over and back is a little rough depending on the weather but even so we were blessed enough not to feel seasick (others weren’t so lucky, so if you’re a motion-sick person, I would recommend taking a travel sick tablet). Our eldest and I did the snorkelling experience and managed very well, they provide a float for you to travel with and tow you along. I didn’t need the float but my daughter and her Nanny did this and felt much more at ease. Also, a massive bonus is they hire out prescription snorkel masks which was awesome! On the island, it is very busy, there are 2 cafes ($12 for chicken nuggets and chips and $22 for a hot dog and chips) and a bar. We took morning tea and ate that on the boat and in hindsight probably should have packed sandwiches to eat for lunch but was nice food all the same. There is also a restaurant that I didn’t look at the menu for so not sure how much it was. Watch out for the little birds (Buff-banded Rails) that get around, one jumped on my daughter's lap to get her chips, and another actually jumped up and took one from her Grandma’s hand as she was putting it to her mouth, they are much bolder than seagulls. Do not feed them. We sure didn’t and were harassed by them all the same. There is a patrolled section of beach, take something to sit on and nab a spot up next to the dunes in the shade. Alternatively, if in your budget you can hire an umbrella and 2 deck chairs for $45 unlimited time. When walking in the water, stick to the sandy areas and don’t walk on the seagrass or coral, stonefish are present in the water and poisonous, if you have a pair of reef shoes it would be good. Also, it’s a good idea not to destroy the habit that you’re there to see. There is a pool on the island but it’s only available to guests and those from another tour group. We had a small amount of time to kill at the end of the day so had cocktails and mocktails at the bar. Very enjoyable.
Great experience swimming with turtles. A full day was perfect timing for swimming, lunch and walking tracks. The weather could have made the day better.
Fantastic family day out. Great experience swimming with turtles. A full day was perfect timing for swimming, lunch and walking tracks. The weather could have made the day better. The boat ride out was rough but conditions were unavailable...
The staff were kind and helpful. My partner and I had a wonderful trip to Green Island.
From boarding to exiting the ferry we had a pleasant journey and experience. The staff were kind and friendly when trying on our snorkels, and when one didn't fit they were quick to help my partner find one that did. The ferries were also on time both times and this made the experience even better.