Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises Two Island Explorer - Fitzroy & Green with Snorkel Gear

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Two Great Barrier Reef islands in one day from Cairns: the morning on Fitzroy Island, with its rainforest walks and Nudey Beach, then the afternoon on Green Island, a coral cay with its own rainforest. Snorkel gear is yours to use at both, and you get over six hours on the islands.

Days

Full day, about 8.5 hours

Group size

Shared island cruise

Start / finish

Cairns / Fitzroy Island / Green Island / Cairns
Cairns, about 5pm

Return

Cairns, about 5pm

Transport

Catamaran from Cairns to Fitzroy and Green Islands and back

Meals

No meals included; boxed or buffet lunch can be added

Route

Map of Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises Two Island Explorer - Fitzroy & Green with Snorkel Gear

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Included experiences

Fitzroy Island — snorkel off Welcome Bay and walk to Nudey Beach or the Secret Garden
Green Island — snorkel off the beach and walk the rainforest boardwalks
Cruise — commentary and a marine biology talk between Cairns and the islands
Green Island — swim in the lifeguard-patrolled area on the northern beach

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises Two Island Explorer - Fitzroy & Green with Snorkel Gear

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO FITZROY ISLAND

The day starts at 8:30am in Cairns, where you board for Fitzroy Island, about 45 minutes away. Your departure point is confirmed when you book, and the boat used can change on the day. On the way the crew give commentary on both islands and a talk on the reef's marine life. Your snorkel gear is yours to use at both islands, so keep it handy. Ahead, the island rises high and green out of the sea, a long way from the flat coral cay you'll reach in the afternoon.

LATE MORNING: SNORKEL AND WALK ON FITZROY

Fitzroy Island is a different kind of island from Green: a steep, granite continental island, once part of the mainland range, covered in rainforest and named by Captain Cook in 1770. You have about two and a half hours here. The fringing reef starts right off the beach at Welcome Bay, so you can swim out from the sand, and fish gather under the jetty. If you'd rather walk, the short track to Nudey Beach, named Australia's best beach in 2018, starts near the resort, and the Secret Garden walk follows a creek into the rainforest. A boxed lunch can be pre-ordered here.

AFTERNOON: GREEN ISLAND

At 11:45am you sail on to Green Island, with more commentary on the crossing. Green Island is a coral cay, a low island of sand and broken coral built up by the reef over about 6,000 years, and it is named after Charles Green, the astronomer who sailed with Captain Cook on the Endeavour in 1770. You have about three and a half hours to snorkel off the beach with the same gear, where a lifeguard watches the flagged area and green turtles are often seen in the shallows. Walk the rainforest boardwalks, or have the buffet lunch on board Big Cat if you chose it.

EXTRAS AND THE TRIP HOME

Want more time in the water? For an extra cost you can add a guided snorkel safari with a marine biologist at both islands, taking you to reef other visitors don't reach, or a semi-submarine ride at Green Island. Big Cat leaves Green Island at 3:45pm and you're back in Cairns at about 5pm, after more than six hours on the islands.

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Good to know

Meeting point: Cairns. Your departure point is confirmed when you book.
Departure time: 8:30am.
Finishes: Cairns, about 5pm.
Suits: Families, couples and first-time snorkellers. Children under 16 must be with an adult, and children under 4 travel as infants but must be added to the booking.
Fitness: Snorkelling is from the beach at your own pace. The Nudey Beach and Secret Garden walks are short; the lighthouse and summit tracks on Fitzroy are longer and harder.
Dietary needs: The Fitzroy boxed lunch has vegetarian, gluten-free and pork-free options if you ask when you book.
Please note: Marine stingers can be around from about November to May, so wear the lycra suit when you snorkel. Free ginger tablets are on board for anyone prone to seasickness. No BYO alcohol, and no drones. Prams are fine on the boats and boardwalks but not on the sand. Sea life sightings can't be guaranteed.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Walking shoes for the Fitzroy tracks
Some cash or a card for drinks and souvenirs

What is included

Cruise from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, on to Green Island, and back to Cairns
About 2.5 hours on Fitzroy Island and 3.5 hours on Green Island
Snorkel gear to use at both islands, with a lycra stinger suit and flotation vest
Commentary about both islands and a marine biology presentation
Self-guided walks and beaches on both islands

Not included

Lunch: a pre-ordered boxed lunch on Fitzroy or a buffet on Big Cat at Green Island can be added
Glass bottom boat tour (sold as a separate option of this trip)
Semi-submarine ride and snorkel safari (optional extras)
Drinks and snacks (licensed bar on board and on Green Island)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We booked the two island package late and everything ran exactly as described, with boarding passes sent through and departures to the minute. We spotted whales jumping on the run from Fitzroy, then snorkelled at Green Island and saw reef sharks, turtles and plenty of tropical fish. The staff were super friendly.

Jack Cordiner Verified· Travelled 24th July 2026

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