Fitzroy Island tours & ferry trips from Cairns

Fitzroy Island sits about 6 kilometres off Cairns, a granite rainforest island fringed by coral reef and reached by a 45 to 55 minute ferry from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. It is one of the most accessible slices of the Great Barrier Reef, with snorkelling straight off the beach, a resident sea turtle population, glass bottom boat tours and 9 kilometres of rainforest walking trails. Ferries run daily, so you can build a trip around a half day, a full day or a 2 day escape.

Full day and half day ferry trips

The Fitzroy Island Full Day Trip departs Cairns at 8.30am or 10.45am and gives you around 5 hours on the island for snorkelling, kayaking and a glass bottom boat tour. Short on time, the Fitzroy Island Half Day Trip leaves at 8.30am for just over 2 hours on the island, enough for a swim and a walk on the beach. If you just need the crossing, Fitzroy Island Full Day Return Transfers covers the 55 minute catamaran ride both ways and leaves you up to 6 hours to spend however you like, with snorkel gear, kayaks and stand up paddle boards available to hire once you land.

Guided activities on the island

For a more structured day, Fitzroy Island with Snorkelling, Glass Bottom Boat and Lunch bundles the ferry with a guided snorkel session over the fringing reef, a glass bottom boat tour and lunch. The Fitzroy Island SUP or Kayak Tour gives up to 4 hours of guided paddle boarding or snorkelling, heading to a spot where turtles are regularly seen feeding on sea grass close to shore. For a simpler way to bundle everything in, the Fitzroy Island Value Package pairs the ferry with a set of on island activities at a lower combined rate than booking each one separately.

Combine Fitzroy Island with the outer reef

If your time in Cairns is tight, Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island in a Day pairs a morning on the outer reef with an afternoon on the island. Prefer to spread it out, the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island 2 Day Combo splits the two across separate days so neither feels rushed. The Reef Magic Pontoon and Fitzroy Island 2 Day Package spends day one on Reef Magic's outer reef pontoon with snorkel gear, guided tours and a semi submersible ride, then day two on Fitzroy Island for snorkelling and a guided reef walk.

Beyond the reef

In whale season, the Fitzroy Island Whale Watching Tour combines whale spotting in the Coral Sea with time on the island, a good pick if you are visiting between roughly June and September.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the ferry to Fitzroy Island?

Around 45 to 55 minutes each way from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal aboard an air conditioned catamaran.

How much time do I get on Fitzroy Island?

Half day trips give just over 2 hours, while full day trips and return transfer packages give roughly 5 to 6 hours on the island.

Can I snorkel straight from the beach?

Yes. Fitzroy Island's fringing reef sits close enough to shore to snorkel directly off the beach, no boat transfer required once you land.

Is Fitzroy Island suited to a family day trip?

Yes. The mix of calm, shallow snorkelling, a glass bottom boat option for non swimmers and short rainforest walks makes it one of the more manageable reef day trips for mixed ages.

Can I combine Fitzroy Island with an outer reef cruise?

Yes. Both 1 day and 2 day combo packages pair a Fitzroy Island visit with an outer reef cruise or pontoon day, either back to back or split across separate days.

Local tip: bring reef safe sunscreen and water shoes. Much of Fitzroy Island's shoreline is coral rubble rather than soft sand, and it makes wading in a good deal more comfortable.

Compare the Fitzroy Island tours above and pick the crossing, activity mix and length that suits your day.