Green Island Day Trip from Cairns

Cairns, Australia

Cruise to Green Island from Cairns and find a tropical paradise on the Great Barrier Reef. You'll spend either four or five hours at Green Island, with plenty of time to snorkel or scuba dive, tour the reef on a glass-bottom boat or view coral from a semi-submersible submarine.

The beautiful coral cay of Green Island is a protected Marine National Park, topped with emerald rainforest and surrounded by white sandy beaches and magnificent coral reefs. The marine life includes endless varieties of colorful fish, turtles, giant clams, shells, starfish and sea anemones.

Green Island is 15 nautical miles (27 kilometers) from Cairns, and you'll cruise there aboard an air-conditioned catamaran with spacious, luxurious cabins and decks to enjoy Queensland's warm, tropical climate.

En route to Green Island you'll see a snorkeling demonstration and an informative presentation on how you can make the most of your day on Green Island. There are so many activities to choose from: glass-bottom boat tours, semi-submarine coral viewing tours, scuba diving and supervised snorkeling trips. A buffet lunch is served aboard the catamaran for those who have chosen this option and a licensed bar offers refreshments throughout the day.

You can also visit Green Island Resort to browse through the shops and use the facilities, including showers, change rooms and restrooms. canoes, surf skis, sailboards, shade umbrellas and beach lounge chairs are available for hire. The island also has short walking tracks through the national park.

There are two departure times to choose from, 9am or 11am and different package options to select from. You have the flexibility to mix and match the inclusions to make this Green Island experience suit your needs. From a cruise only package that includes a glass bottom boat tour and the use of snorkeling equipment to the ultimate Green Island experience which is also inclusive of  transfers from your Cairns hotel, a buffet lunch and semi-submarine tour, the choice is yours.

USD $78.40

Traveler Reviews

Review by: scottgator	April 2012
This was one of my least favorite trips that we took while in Cairns. It is too close to the mainland and not enough good snorkeling at that part of the reef. I went snorkeling twice after that tour on the outer part of the reef and saw much more!!

Review by: Carolyn K	April 2012
Brilliantly organised, great day and the coach drivers so helpful, informative and great fun! Didn't want to get off the coach!!

Review by: vicki28uk	March 2012
This trip was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Cairns. Viator all the way and top marks to the great staff including the hotel pick up service 10/10

Review by: NEIL B	February 2012
Not good at all, as the company made no attempt to notify me prior to the tour it was all chinnese .... attitude was poor and trip was a waste of time

Review by: yidaki_bagpiper	January 2012
Don't go on both boats with glass bottom - pick only one as combining both will make you a bit sea sick (20% chance) and by the time you feel ok and have lunch you may have not enough time for snorkeling

Review by: Perry G	January 2012
Great day trip. Fantastic weather for snorkeling. Will definitely take the tour again.

Review by: Rashmi T	January 2012
Very well organized trip. I must say that one should at least do a full day and not a half day trip , since the time simply flies once you are on Green Island. The submarine ride was the best part of the day for our family since one has to snorkel far from the beach to see the best corals.I hope to visit the area again some day.

Review by: Greg C	December 2011
Good day trip - all was on time and according to plan.

Review by: Richard D	December 2011
Take it and enjoy it, especially the semi-submersible trip. Knowledgeable and experienced crew, who know where to go on the reef.

Review by: Camilo M	November 2011
Great tour. The boat was great and the reef experience was fantastic_br/_ you must do it!!!!!

Review by: Catherine	November 2011
The staff were really friendly and helpful, food was delicious.

Review by: Rakhi M	November 2011
Brilliant trip! Easy to book, competitive price and efficient service. Would definitely use you again :)_br/_ Thanks!

Review by: Grant B	November 2011
We all had a great day, did everything we had time to do and it went so quickly. We will go back again some day. A quick tip for people that get sea sick, Sit on the top deck and get plenty of fresh air. We sat there on the way home and my wife and daughter did not get sick.

Review by: Natalie C	October 2011
Viator booking did not reach the local provider. Always confirm your booking at least 24 hours in advance. I did, so the problem was sorted out and the trip was wonderful!

Review by: ashes2965	October 2011
A fabulous day. Lots of fish for the kids. I recommend going out on the glass bottom boat.

Review by: Sonia N	October 2011
Absolutely fantastic. Great weather. So pleased we did this day trip. We are going again and will be in touch to organize it through VIATOR.

Review by: SAY CHEANG L	September 2011
Overall good trip but a little disappointed with the snorkeling experience with the low tide and windy conditions. Only saw a some small fishes near the beach, The signs said to stay on the right side of the pier and keep away from the pier. We were able to see more fishes leaning over side of the pier than when snorkeling from the beach. The other 2 activities(glass-bottom boat tour and semi-submarine coral viewing tour) were worth it and we saw plenty of marine life including turtles, so that kind of make up for the snorkeling.

Review by: Pat B	September 2011
Took a family trip with husband and 3 adult children. They loved the snorkeling and swimming. The island is great to wander around on. The glass bottom boat tour was really fun. Lunch was good. I thought I had booked the half day tour but had the full day tour which worked out well. I don't think the half day would have been enough time to see and do what we did on the island.

Review by: Jacqueline S	September 2011
This trip was ok.

Review by: Brenda W	August 2011
We enjoyed our trip to Green island. Ride over on the ferry was very rough but exciting.. We didn't enjoy the lunch it wasn't very appetising and had to pay extra for a cup of coffee that was cold and very strong. The island is lovely perfect for swimming or snorkelling. Our time on the glass bottom boat was well worth it, but felt a whole day on the island is too long as you are not swimming or snorkelling. Overall we had a good day if not somewhat tiring. Food sold on the island was good and good value for money.

Review by: Sophia D	August 2011
Enjoyed the day but the glass bottom boat trip was supposed to be 1hr and it was only half an hour. Would be better to go to Green Is at high tide as there is a strong smell at low tide.

Review by: Deborah B	August 2011
This tour was great. It was well organised and you could do as much or a little as you wanted to. Planning was just right and you were neither waiting too long or struggling for time. The team was friendly and very helpful - all in all a great day out!

Review by: Connie V	August 2011
wonderful experience for anyone of all ages. Excellent staff and well run

Review by: Robert S	August 2011
Not wishing to sound like a curmudgeon, and conceding that tour companies can't control the weather, I was disappointed by this trip. The wind was strong and the ocean choppy, making the snorkelling impractical and the glass bottomed boat and semi-submersible rides short-lived and disappointing. I'm sure, on a clam and sunny day, it would be a fabulous trip.

Review by: Gina H	August 2011
it was so beautiful there. it was great to just to in the water off the beach and snorkel and see lots of fish and corals. i wish i would have gone in warmer months though.

Review by: sue d	August 2011
Staff terrific - Green Is. beautiful - wish lunch had been included though - it was fine - just expensive. Sue Deane

Review by: Corinna D	August 2011
Great trip to a very nice Island.

Review by: Elise D	August 2011
Such a good trip! recommend this for anyone making the trip out to Cairns. We went snorkeling, did the glass bottom boat and the semi sub, semi sub was my favorite, worth the extra money!

Review by: Susan M	July 2011
very beautiful trip! worth the money, although I think there should have been use of snorkel guides to take us to the deeper reefs. Amazing! great ride in glass bottom boat, too.

Review by: Fred	July 2011
Our trip to Green Island was very enjoyable and educational. The staff were friendly and always ready to assist when requested. We did a slow walk around Green Island, reading the information plates along the way, very informative.

Review by: Marie M	July 2011
From the very start the trip out to Green Island was very comfortable. It was well organized. At Green Island the glass bottom boart trip was very rewarding, even though they said the fish were not to be fed, they promptly fed them to attract them to the glass bottom boats. The beaches were lovely and very safe. My grandson had a wonderful time snorkelling and seeing the underwater wildlife in particular two wild turtles close-up. Lunch was a bit higelty pigelty, but nevertheless fresh and filling. Everyone was courteous and friendly. I recommend the trip for those on a limited budget, as it was almost as good as the outer reef trips I have previously been on.

Review by: Larissa C	July 2011
Boats need to sell drawstring bags to hold snorkel gear. Lockers for gear need to be near boats not on Island. Icecream needs another person to assist or have separate drinks vending machine on Island. Melanesian Museum should have half day prices instead of the full we paid. Recommend 2 full days instead of 1 as didn't see the Island or get t.o snorkel

Review by: David K	July 2011
The four star rating is because the weather was windy and the seas rough, so our enjoyment was less than it would have been on a fine day. On the plus side the tour operators gave us the option of changing the date, but we could not do this because of our schedule. The semisubmersible submarine gave a good view of the underwater life, and was definitely worth the cost. The crew was helpful and professional.

Review by: Alison C	June 2011
Fantastic trip from beginning to end. We were picked up timely at our accommodations and taken to the Big Cat terminal, and then onto Green Island. Highly recommend Big Cat Company and this tour.

Review by: Brita L	June 2011
Comfortable transport, friendly staff, wonderful location! through Viator we got all the options presented together to choose from, and for slightly cheaper than if i had gone directly to the company's website! I was nervous about the company getting all our details and preferences correct but called them and they had it, everything went smoothly.

Review by: nod	May 2011
A very enjoyable day and well worth the trip

Review by: mary ann m	May 2011
Snorkeling on par with Caribbean. Company didn't provide hotel pickup despite request when booking on web.

Review by: Mike_Lam	May 2011
If you took the semi-sub (not bad), you may not want the glass bottom. Also this is our first time to Great Barrier Reef, without the guided tour, we could not find fishes and coral from the Green Island beaches. Quite disappointing !

Review by: janine g	May 2011
Weather was a bit rough resulting in several people becoming sea-sick and the staff, instead of being helpful seemed to find this funny, I would have liked them to be a bit more sympathetic and helpful, especially with the young kids. Green Island is very pretty with lots to do for both adults and children. The snorkelling is safe and easy access from the beach.

Review by: Helen M	May 2011
This was a good trip, however there could have been some instruction on what to look out for if snorkeling on ones own. When doing a similar trip in Egypt we had expert tuition regarding any poisonous fish or fauna etc, this was lacking on the green island trip

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	June 2010
Good trip!

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	June 2010
Great trip! All went really smooth. Not much time on the island with lunch on the boat, the semi sub tour and glass boat tour however. Just enough time to walk around the island and rest by beach or pool for a bit before heading home

Review by: Katie R, Australia	May 2010
Great day! well organized, was a highlight of our Cairns holiday. Loved the snorkelling as possible for beginners!

Review by: Sharon A, United States of America	March 2010
Fun day at Green Island. Waves were a bit choppy due to the cyclone, but the trip was worth it. Sea turtles were swimming around the island, and the reef was a quick swim away from the beach. The beach was also a great place to relax. Lifeguards were on duty, which was a great peace of mind.

Review by: Tunde K, Australia	March 2010
Top Top Top. Back in June.

Review by: Gregory B, United States of America	February 2010
Good trip. Well organized and handled very efficiently. Friendly staff, clean ship, equipment in good shape.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	December 2009
It was a real nice boat and island to visit. Would go back again in the future.

Review by: Ganesh J, Australia	December 2009
It was a good trip. Prices on Viator were no cheaper than the once advertised in Carins.

Review by: Benjamin N, Australia	November 2009
Had a very nice day. Trips up and back were fine on the cat, a bit bumpy but we took ginger tablets which helped a lot. Had a great lunch and the submarine was also worth it. Snorkeled and sat on the beach for most of the day.

Review by: Karen M, United States of America	October 2009
Great place to swim and relax! The resort on this island has a nice gift shop, friendly people!