Green Island Half Day Trip from Cairns

Cairns, Australia

Explore the tropical paradise of Green Island on a half day trip from Cairns. Enjoy around two hours exploring the Great Barrier Reef island with time to snorkel and take a glass-bottom boat. You can even take an optional semi-submersible submarine tour to get close to the reef without getting wet.

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 two hours at Green Island. You can take a glass-bottom boat tour and use of snorkeling equipment to get closer to the marine life. There is also an optional semi-submarine coral viewing tour, scuba diving and supervised snorkeling trips. A licensed bar onboard the catamaran 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 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 the cruise only option that includes a glass-bottom boat tour and use of snorkeling equipment to the ultimate Green Island experience inclusive with transfers and semi-submarine tour, the choice is yours.

USD $78.40

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Simon B	January 2012
Good family trip.

Review by: Susan B	May 2011
not planned well,,, we were meant to board at 12.30pm but the boat was not there so they put us on another boat company going to the island. Trip takes 45minutes each way, we got there and had to walk along the wharf to the Big Cat boat to board our Glass Bottom Boat tour,, it was interesting and Ash was very Knowledgeable. we then walked around the island and took some photo's and had ice cream food and drink on the island is not cheap. don't forget to pack the sunblock. on the 1/2 day tour there is not much time to do both the Glass Bottom and the snorkling. we boarded the big cat boat at 4pm to find out we were on the wrong big Cat boat and should have been on the Reef Rocket it was only when they were checking the names of we found out we should have waited on the island for the 1st boat to depart and the second boat would have come to pick us us. but there should have been some one check this before we left the island. very Confusing. both boats dock at 5pm at the reef fleet terminal, and so do 4 more other companys. this tour would have been better if it was better planned.

Review by: Phil G	October 2010
I enjoyed the trip to a gr8 extent. This trip was in fact memorable and the crew was exceptional. I've no negative feedback coz this was perfect to recommend to all my friends. Definately worth the money. A small suggestion - When I booked them online via Viator.com, I could not see the company I was travelling and the exact venue in my ticket.

Review by: Anonymous	August 2010
The glass bottomed boat and semi-sub were interesting and did provide for the viewing of many coral and fish. However, Green island itself, offered no allure. A museum or perhaps another structure that offered more information about the reef and island would have been beneficial to tourists.

Review by: Lee-anne W, Australia	July 2010
The glass bottom boat and semi-sub were terrific!

Review by: Anonymous	July 2010
Loved the submarine.

Review by: Anne-Marie S	July 2010
It was quite interesting and obviously any visit to Cairns must include a visit to the reef. If you like snorkling and enjoy a day on the beach then a day trip is fine. Otherwise the 4 hour trip is sufficient.

Review by: carol s, United States of America	March 2010
Had a great time. The views were great. Feeding the kangaroos and holding the Koala was the best.

Review by: Christine W, United Kingdom	March 2010
The problem was the weather. All optional excursions were cancelled, and the sea was rough.

Review by: Carol S	March 2010
Had a great time. The views were great. Feeding the kangaroos and holding the Koala was the best.

Review by: Lesley M, Australia	January 2010
We received great service, it was well organized and the tour guides were fabulous.

Review by: Bruno M, Brazil	December 2009
There is too much to see in Green Island and a half day tour is not enough. You better take the full day tour. Despite this, the tour was great time.

Review by: Anonymous, Canada	November 2009
A good way to get snorkeling on the reef when we only had a half day.

Review by: Eunice A, United Kingdom	October 2009
Went very well. The staff at terminal and on boat were very helpful.

Review by: Jacob A, United States of America	May 2009
One can also do a sea walk.

Review by: Sue H, Australia	October 2008
Only do the half day tour if you are really short of time. Once on Green Island, it is very hard to leave at 12 noon!

Review by: Susan H	October 2008
Only do the half day tour if you are really short of time. Once on Green Island, it is very hard to leave at 12 noon!

Review by: Williiam B, United States of America	July 2008
The captain runs a tight ship and was prompt and comfortable. You have plenty of options to spend your time around the island on this half day trip.

Review by: Marco L, Italy	May 2008
The catamaran is a great way to get from Cairns to Green Island. Excellent option if that's what you're keen to do. Recommended.

Review by: Anonymous	May 2008
The catamaran is a great way to get from Cairns to Green Island. Excellent option if that's what you're keen to do. Recommended.

Review by: Sharon S, United Kingdom	April 2008
Absolutely nothing wrong with this trip but a little impersonal, which we may not have noticed but for the fact that we'd been on the reef trip the day before and had such good interaction with the crew both on the way out to the reef and whilst in-situ, still worth doing though and the island was stunning, because we only had a couple of hours we didn't get to see too much of it but it would be a great day out on a 'good weather' day.

Review by: Langston H, United States of America	November 2007
Beautiful island and well organized trip.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	September 2007
Overall, the experience was great, but the staff could have been a little bit more friendly. Otherwise, it was fantastic!

Review by: Eric B, United States of America	February 2007
Not a good location for snorkeling if you are looking for coral reefs and fish. It's mostly sand and grass. Very few fish.

Review by: Paul M, United States of America	January 2007
Most of the coral is dead by Green Island - so if you are going for snorkeling, forget it. However, the boat was fast and the ride there was very enjoyable. In addition, you can see sea turtles, birds, and 20-foot crocodiles being fed.