Green Island Day Trip
Spend a full day exploring beautiful Green Island, a 45-minute boat trip from Cairns.
- Departs: Daily from Cairns
- Check-In: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns
- Things to do: snorkelling, swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tour
- Suitable for the whole family, including young children.
Plan your day at Green Island
Green Island day trip has several daily departures. Choose the one that suits you best.
White sandy beaches surround the island with an interior of tropical rainforests on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
While you are on the island, there are fantastic activities to enjoy
- Snorkelling
- Eco walk in the rainforest
- Sandcastles
- Hire a kayak
- Build sandcastle
- Circumnavigate the island
- Relax on a sunbed
- Glass bottom boat tour
- Scenic helicopter flights
- Parasailing
About Green Island
On the Great Barrier Reef, visitors flock to Green Island, one of the most popular stops. Coral rubble and sand have built up over thousands of years on the calmer side of a platform reef, creating a real coral cay.
Here you will find an abundance of birds and insects in the island’s tropical vine forest. Many different varieties of coral, clams, fish, stingrays and other reef life can be found on the nearby coral reef. Offshore, you may spot green and hawksbill turtles.
The island and Reef belong to the Guru-Gulu Gungandji Aboriginal people’s traditional marine territory. Wunyami is the island’s name in local lore. The Guru-Gulu Gungandji people have a close relationship with the island today.
Tourists have visited Green Island for over a century. As a national park in 1937, it was designated as a marine park in 1974, and as a World Heritage Site in 1981, it became part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
In addition to the national park, Green Island has leases for research, tourism, and management.
Where is Green Island?
Green Island is approximately 45 minutes northeast of Cairns. This National park is home to over 120 native plant species and also 55 species of birdlife. Coral Gardens and an abundance of marine life surround the island.
Or, if you would like to see the outer barrier reef click here for our favourite reef tour, Reef Experience.
During the winter months, keep an eye out for migrating humpback whales.
Highlights
- White Sandy beaches to build sandcastles
- Deck Chairs to work on your suntan
- Tropical rainforest
- Tropical Island Getaway
- Green Sea Turtles are frequent visitors
Itinerary
You may choose your preferred departure times from Cairns and Green Island.
- Departs Cairns at 8.30 am or 10.20 am
- Departs Green island at 2.30 pm or 4.30 pm
Travel time to/from Green Island Day Tour is approx. 45 minutes
Included
Return transfers on board Great Adventures
Up to 7 hours on Green Island
Tea and coffee served until departure from Cairns
Self Guided Eco Island Walk
Use of day facilities (toilets, showers, pool etc)
Optional Extras
- Coach Transfers
- Optional Lunch
Optional activities available on Green Island include:
– Introductory scuba diving
– Certified Scuba Diving (subject to availability on the day)
– Snorkel boat trips
– Seawalker Helmet Diving
– Parasailing
– Beach Hire: Canoeing, windsurfing, beach volleyball
– Scenic helicopter flights
What to bring
- Towel and swimwear
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Cash for snacks, drinks, souvenirs and underwater cameras
- Credit card for purchases
How to get there
Green Island Transfers depart from the Marlin Jetty in Cairns.
Check-in is at the Reef Fleet Terminal 1 hour to 30 minutes before selected departure.
Important Information
Important Information for Scuba Diving and Seawalker
- The minimum age for Scuba Diving is 12 years.
- Certain medical conditions, medications and height restrictions may preclude some people from participating in optional in-water activities, especially for scuba diving. Check out our ‘Scuba Diving Questionnaire’ for some insight.
- Diving can be a strenuous activity. Please use caution and inform our crew of any medical conditions.
Flying after Scuba Diving
For a single no decompression scuba dive, you should not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive. You should not fly for 24 hours after your last di for multiple dives.
