Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom Boat

Four Hours on the Reef Without Leaving the Boat (or the Water)

You board a catamaran in Cairns and cruise 45 minutes to Green Island, where you choose between snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat tour, or a semi-submersible submarine to see turtles, sharks and coral gardens. A rainforest walk and buffet lunch fill the rest of your four to five hours on the island before the return cruise. Everything (transfers, reef tax, and your choice of reef tour) is included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Green Island6h
2. Great Barrier Reef6h · entry included

Explore Green Island and Great Barrier Reef

• Cruise from Cairns to Green Island
• Walk through the rainforest and beach
• Snorkel or take glass bottom boat tour
• View marine life from semi-submersible

The experience

Someone leans over the rail of the catamaran, pointing at the water below. The glass-bottom boat hasn't even left the dock yet, but already the reef is visible through the transparent hull: turtles moving through the shallows, fish in colors that don't look real. That's the thing about a Green Island day trip from Cairns: you don't have to choose between staying dry and seeing the coral. The cruise itself takes about 45 minutes each way on a modern air-conditioned catamaran, and once you're at the island, you've got either four or five hours depending on which departure you pick. That's enough time to do the glass-bottom boat tour, walk the rainforest path, grab lunch, and still have an hour left to just sit on the sand.

The reef here is part of the Great Barrier Reef system, and the marine life is the real draw: turtles, sharks, stingrays, schools of fish that move like one organism. If you're not into boats, snorkeling gear is included, and you can wade straight in from the beach. The semi-submersible is another option if you want to go deeper without getting wet. It's basically a submarine that sits half-submerged, so you're looking out through windows at the coral gardens. The island itself has a rainforest you can walk through, coral gardens along the beach, and a buffet lunch (if you've selected that option) served in the main building. Morning tea and coffee come with the full-day departures at 9am.

What makes this work logistically is that everything's included: the Reef Tax, the catamaran transfers, your choice of how to see the reef, lunch if you want it. You don't have to arrange separate tickets or figure out timing. The boat leaves Cairns at a set time and returns at a set time, which means you know exactly when you're back on the mainland. Infants can come along (they ride in a pram or sit on an adult's lap), and there's limited wheelchair access if you let them know at booking. Dietary requirements need to be flagged when you book the lunch option.

What’s included

• Catamaran transfers to and from Green Island with modern air-conditioned vessel.
• choice of snorkeling gear, glass-bottom boat tour, or semi-submersible tour of the reef.
• access to the island's rainforest walks and coral gardens.
• Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax).
• morning tea and coffee on full-day 9am departures.
• buffet lunch if selected at booking.

Options for this experience

10 options

9 am transfer with snorkel gearGuide in English · 09:00Snorkel equipment is included

11 am transfer with snorkel gearGuide in English · 11:00Snorkel equipment can be used

9 am transfer with glass bottom boatGuide in English · 09:00Glass bottom boat is included

See 7 more options

11 am transfer with glass bottom boatGuide in English · 11:00Glass bottom boat is included

11 am transfer, lunch and glass bottom boatGuide in English · 11:00Buffet lunch: a buffet lunch is served on board the Big Cat vessel. Glass bottom boat is included.

9 am transfer, lunch and snorkellingGuide in English · 09:00Buffet lunch: a buffet lunch is served on board the Big Cat vessel. Snorkel equipment is included.

9 am transfer, snorkelling and semi-submarineGuide in English · 09:00Semi-submarine tour: watch coral and marine life from below the surface while staying dry on this 30-minute trip. Snorkel equipment is included.

11 am transfer, semi-submarine and snorkellingGuide in English · 11:00Semi-submarine tour: see coral and marine life from a dry seat in our semi-submarine. Snorkel equipment is included.

9 am departure, lunch, semi-submarine and snorkellingGuide in English · 09:00Semi-submarine tour: watch coral and marine life from beneath the surface while staying dry on this 30-minute trip. Buffet lunch: a buffet lunch is served on board the Big Cat vessel. Snorkel equipment is included.

11 am departure, lunch, semi-submarine and glass bottom boatGuide in English · 11:00Semi-submarine and glass bottom boat: stay dry and view coral and marine life from a semi-submarine and a glass bottom boat. Buffet lunch: a buffet lunch is served on board the Big Cat vessel.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 11:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 150 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see the Great Barrier Reef without arranging separate transport, reef access fees, or timing: the catamaran schedule and all-in pricing take the logistics off your hands, leaving you to decide whether you'd rather snorkel, sit in a glass-bottom boat, or go semi-submersible.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the boat ride to Green Island from Cairns?

About 45 minutes each way on a modern air-conditioned catamaran.

What's included in the day trip?

Catamaran transfers, morning tea or coffee (on full-day departures), the Reef Tax, and your choice of snorkeling gear, glass-bottom boat tour, or semi-submersible tour. Buffet lunch is available as an add-on option.

Can I snorkel, or do I have to take the glass-bottom boat?

You choose. Snorkeling gear is included, or you can do the glass-bottom boat tour or semi-submersible instead.

How much time do you actually spend on Green Island?

Either four or five hours, depending on which departure time you select.

What marine life will I see?

Turtles, sharks, stingrays, and a wide variety of fish. The glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible, and snorkeling all offer views of the reef and its inhabitants.

Is there food on the island?

Yes, a buffet lunch is available as an option. Morning tea and coffee are served on the 9am full-day departures.

What if I have dietary requirements?

Let the operator know at the time of booking so they can arrange suitable options.