Green Island Day Trip from Cairns
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 966 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Green Island Day Trip from Cairns worth booking?
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns is a 8-hour experience in Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia, from $61 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 966 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (966)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $61 per person
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, tour the reef on a glass-bottom boat or v
What you get
- Cruise transfers to and from Green Island by modern air-conditioned catamaran
- Buffet lunch (if option selected)
- Semi-submersible tour (if option is selected)
- Choose a glass-bottom boat tour or use of snorkeling gear for the day (selected in options)
- Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax)
- Morning tea / coffee (served on 9am full day only)
About this experience
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, tour the reef on a glass-bottom boat or view coral from a semi-submersible submarine.
What's included
Included
- Cruise transfers to and from Green Island by modern air-conditioned catamaran
- Buffet lunch (if option selected)
- Semi-submersible tour (if option is selected)
- Choose a glass-bottom boat tour or use of snorkeling gear for the day (selected in options)
- Environmental Management Charge (Reef Tax)
- Morning tea / coffee (served on 9am full day only)
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional activities. (Can be booked locally, subject to availability. Payable locally. Introductory Scuba Dive AU$152, Seawalker Helmut Dive AU$165, Semi-submersible Coral Viewing Tour AU$20)
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Flotation vests and lycra suits are available for hire
What you'll see and do
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Explore the Great Barrier Reef island either with a glass bottom boat tour or snorkelling equipment.
360 minutes here
Green Island National Park
Walk through the rainforest or enjoy exploring the coral gardens the the beach.
360 minutes here
Great Barrier Reef
View some of the amazing marine life at Green Island. View turtles, fish, sharks and stingrays from the glass bottom boat, semi-submersible or by snorkelling.
360 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cairns & the Tropical North
Please call to reconfirm your booking prior to travel to receive your boarding pass. If you have not received your boarding pass, please meet directly at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 30 minutes prior to your departure time
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please call to reconfirm your booking prior to travel to receive your boarding pass. If you have not received your boarding pass, please meet directly at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 30 minutes prior to your departure time
Options you can book
9am Transfer + Lunch + Snorkel
Buffet Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch served on board the Big Cat vessel Includes Snorkel Equipment
9am Transfer + Snorkel Gear
Includes Snorkel Equipment
9am + Lunch + Semi + Snorkel
Semi-Submarine Tour: View coral and marine life from below the waters surface while keeping dry on this 30 minute tour Buffet Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch served on board the Big Cat vessel Included Snorkel Equipment
9am Transfer + Snorkel + Semi
Semi-Submarine Tour: View coral and marine life from below the waters surface while keeping dry on this 30 minute tour Includes Snorkel Equipment
11am +Lunch + Semi Sub + GBB
Semi Sub + GBB: Stay dry and view coral and marine life from a semi-submarine and glass bottom boat Buffet Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch served on board the Big Cat vessel
11am Transfer + Snorkel Gear
Use of Snorkel Equipment
9am Transfer + GBB
Includes Glass Bottom Boat
11am Transfer + Semi + Snorkel
Semi-submarine tour: View coral and marine life staying dry in our semi-submarine Includes Snorkel Equipment
11am Transfer + GBB
Includes Glass Bottom Boat
11am Transfer + Lunch + GBB
Buffet Lunch: Enjoy a buffet lunch served on board the Big Cat vessel Includes Glass Bottom Boat
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessibility is available but limited. Passengers must have some mobility and/or the presence of a carer who can assist them.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 966 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
966 verified traveler reviews for Green Island Day Trip from Cairns. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
You won’t see a thing snorkeling on this island.
I was bored silly in an hour. There are waaayyyy too many boats and helicopters circling the island to hope to see anything bigger than a parrot fish. Other than the crocodile sanctuary, which is actually pretty nice, there’s nothing on that island worth seeing. I can’t imagine spending the night there. Bring a deck of cards.
via Viator
A Must do for family’s
Beautiful reef, fantastic beaches and family friendly 5 stars from us
via Tripadvisor
Amazing
I loved this trip- friendly crew, lunch much better than expected, excellent additional excursions if required and Green Island simply amazing. I would 100% do it all again
via Viator
Weather was Abysmal!!!
Unfortunately, the weather was abysmal! (Cold, windy and heavy rain).. We ended up sitting on the boat the whole day, reading (thankfully we bought our books with us). Unfortunately, there is no where to shelter for long on the island for undercover protection out of the weather all day! Thankfully the boat did not return to the main land to return later in the day to pick us up, ... because I don't know what we would have done. I can't blame Big Cat Green Island Tours for the weather, but they should have contacted us earlier in the day, about the weather, and offered an alternate day should we have wanted it. As the next day, the sun came out! Such a disappointment.
via Tripadvisor
Have go once
We really enjoyed green island it was a nice sunny day that helped too, we did the glass boat, snorkeled a little went to the croc show on the island, had nice hamburger from restaurant $35 a little pricey., as cafe had run out of food by 2pm. The time went quick, only got a little sunbaking done, full day is still short eg 830 to330 approx. We didn't know you could stay on this island. Lovely day trip
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $61 to $207
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 338
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cairns & the Tropical North.
How much does Green Island Day Trip from Cairns cost?
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Prices start at $61 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cairns & the Tropical North usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Green Island Day Trip from Cairns take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cairns & the Tropical North is not rushed.
Is Green Island Day Trip from Cairns worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 966 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Cairns & the Tropical North, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Green Island Day Trip from Cairns?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Green Island Day Trip from Cairns suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Green Island Day Trip from Cairns?
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Around 338 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cairns & the Tropical North can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cairns & the Tropical North and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Green Island Day Trip from Cairns start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cairns & the Tropical North within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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On Outty we rank every Cairns & the Tropical North experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran, Ocean Free: Small Group Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Tour, Ocean Freedom: Great Barrier Reef Stylish Snorkel, Dive Reef Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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