Green Island Snorkelling & Glass Bottom Boat from Cairns

A 6,000-Year-Old Coral Island with Rainforest & Reef Access in One Trip

You board a fast catamaran from Cairns and spend half a day or up to seven hours on Green Island, choosing between snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef from the beach or viewing it from a glass bottom boat. You walk through the island's rainforest at your own pace, use the swimming pool, and return by catamaran. Morning tea is served onboard. Lunch is available for purchase on the island.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Green Island6h
2. Great Barrier Reef6h

Explore Green Island and Great Barrier Reef

• Depart from Cairns to Green Island
• Choose snorkelling or glass bottom boat
• Snorkel from white sandy beaches
• Or view reef from glass bottom boat
• Walk through the island rainforest
• Enjoy island swimming pool and facilities
• Return to Cairns

The experience

The catamaran leaves Cairns three times daily, which means you can fit Green Island into a half-day or stretch it to seven hours if you want the full rhythm of the place. What makes this different is that Green Island isn't just a reef stop. It's the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef that has rainforest growing on it, so you're not choosing between snorkelling or walking through trees. You get both. The boat ride out takes you across clear water, and they serve morning tea and coffee onboard before you arrive, which is a small thing but it sets the tone for the day.

Once you're on the island, you pick your reef experience: snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) if you want to be in the water, or the glass bottom boat if you'd rather stay dry and watch the coral and fish move past below you. The snorkelling happens from the white sandy beaches, so there's no long swim to get somewhere interesting. The reef is right there. The glass bottom boat is its own thing. You sit inside the hull and the reef comes to you, which sounds passive but it's not. The visibility is usually good enough that you see the detail, the movement, the actual structure of what you're looking at. After that, there's a self-guided walk through the rainforest, which takes you through the island's interior without needing a guide talking at you the whole time.

The island has a swimming pool (exclusive to Great Adventures guests), a pool bar, a restaurant, and retail if you forgot sunscreen or want to buy a souvenir. Lunch and snacks are available but not included, so you can eat what appeals to you rather than what's on a set menu. The day visitor facilities are well set up. It doesn't feel like you're roughing it. The catamaran brings you back to Cairns, and the whole operation has Advanced Ecotourism Certification, which means they're actually managing the reef and the island with some care about what happens to them.

What’s included

• Return fast catamaran transfers from Cairns.
• morning tea and coffee served onboard.
• choice of snorkelling equipment or glass bottom boat tour.
• use of the island swimming pool.
• self-guided rainforest walk.
• access to island day visitor facilities including pool bar, restaurant, and retail outlets.

Options for this experience

4 options

5 hours on the island, departing at 10:30 AMGuide in English or Japanese · 10:30From 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM: return cruise with snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat. Departs Cairns at 10:30 am and returns at 4:30 pm (arrival back in Cairns at 5:15 pm).

5 hours on the island, departing at 8:30 AMGuide in English or Japanese · 08:30From 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM: return cruise with snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat. Departs Cairns at 8:30 am and returns at 2:30 pm (arrival back in Cairns at 3:15 pm).

7 hours on the island, departing at 8:30 AMGuide in English or Japanese · 08:30From 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM: return cruise with snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat. Departs Cairns at 8:30 am and returns at 4:30 pm (arrival back in Cairns at 5:15 pm).

3 hours on the island, departing at 10:30 AMGuide in English or Japanese · 10:30From 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM: return cruise with snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat. Departs Cairns at 10:30 am and returns at 2:30 pm (arrival back in Cairns at 3:15 pm).

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 10:30

Book up to2h before

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

GroupUp to 300 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by The Quicksilver Group

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see the Great Barrier Reef without committing to a full-day boat trip or arranging your own transport: the three daily departures mean you can fit it around other plans, and the choice between snorkelling and glass bottom boat lets you decide how much time you spend in the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

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.

Is snorkelling equipment included or do I have to rent it?

Snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) is included in the tour price. You can also choose the glass bottom boat instead if you prefer not to snorkel.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and snacks can be purchased from the island's food and refreshment outlets, but they are not included in the tour price.

What time do the daily departures leave Cairns?

There are three daily departures, but the specific times aren't listed in the tour details. You'll need to check the booking page or contact the operator for the exact schedule.

Is the swimming pool included?

Yes. Use of the island swimming pool is exclusive to Great Adventures guests and is included in your tour.

What is the rainforest walk like?

It's self-guided, so you explore the island's unique rainforest flora at your own pace without a guide leading you through.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, it's worth confirming details with the operator before booking.