Fitzroy Island Adventures Fitzroy Island Full Day - Transfers Only

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A day on Fitzroy Island with return boat transfers from Cairns and nothing else to pay for unless you want it: swim and laze on Welcome Bay, snorkel the fringing reef with your own gear, or walk rainforest trails to Nudey Beach and the lighthouse.

Days

About 6 to 8 hours

Group size

Shared boat, self-guided day

Start / finish

Cairns / Fitzroy Island / Cairns
Marlin Marina, Cairns, about 4:45pm

Return

Marlin Marina, Cairns, about 4:45pm

Transport

Catamaran, about 45 minutes each way

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Fitzroy Island Adventures Fitzroy Island Full Day - Transfers Only

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Included experiences

Welcome Bay — swim and snorkel from the coral beach
Nudey Beach — 1.2 km walk to one of the island's few sandy beaches
Lighthouse and summit — steep morning walks with views over the reef
Secret Garden — short rainforest walk

Fitzroy Island Adventures Fitzroy Island Full Day - Transfers Only

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO FITZROY ISLAND

Check in on the boat itself, moored at Finger A on Marlin Wharf in central Cairns, about half an hour before it leaves at 8:30am or 10:45am, whichever you've booked. The afternoon before, you get an email and a text with a map of the marina. The ferry is fast and stable, with seats inside or up on the open top deck, and the crossing takes about 45 minutes while the crew talk about the island. Ahead, Fitzroy Island rises high and green out of the sea. It's a continental island, the granite top of a ridge that was joined to the mainland when sea levels were lower, and Captain Cook named it in 1770 after the Duke of Grafton, Augustus FitzRoy.

LATE MORNING: THE REEF OFF WELCOME BAY

Bring your own mask and snorkel, or hire a set on the island for an extra cost. Welcome Bay, the main beach, is made of broken coral rather than sand, and the fringing reef starts only metres from the water's edge at either end. Float over hard and soft corals, watch parrotfish crunching coral with their beak-like teeth, and look for clownfish darting in and out of their anemones. Green sea turtles are often seen, and small reef sharks are quite common, though nothing is guaranteed. The shallows are calm enough for children and nervous swimmers, and from November to May the lycra suit keeps stingers off.

AFTERNOON: RAINFOREST WALKS

Most of the island is national park. The Secret Garden walk, about 700 metres return, climbs gently into rainforest of figs, palms and granite boulders. The track to Nudey Beach takes about 20 minutes each way, to a cove named Australia's best beach in 2018. On the 8:30am boat you have time for the steep climb to the Fitzroy Island Lighthouse, built in 1973 and one of the last staffed lighthouses built in Australia, or the full summit circuit. The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on the island nurses sick and injured sea turtles back to the sea. For lunch, Foxy's Bar sells burgers and salads, or add a picnic lunch when you book.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

Make the most of the last hour with a swim or a rest in the shade, then be back at the jetty by about 3:45pm. The ferry leaves Fitzroy at 4pm and gets you back to Marlin Wharf at about 4:45pm, as the island fades behind you.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: On board the boat, moored at A Finger, Marlin Marina, next to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street). Check in about 30 minutes before departure; directions are sent the day before.
Departure time: 8:30am or 10:45am from Cairns, set when you book.
Finishes: The boat leaves the island at 4pm (be on board by 3:45pm) and reaches Marlin Marina at about 4:45pm. Return times are confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 8 hours 15 minutes on the 8:30am boat (about 6.5 hours on the island), or 6 hours on the 10:45am boat (about 4 hours 15 minutes on the island).
Suits: Families, children and non-swimmers as well as walkers and snorkellers. Children are welcome, and the beach shallows suit non-swimmers.
Please note: Snorkelling is in open water with tides and currents. Scuba diving is not offered. Stingers are most likely from October to May.

What to bring

Towel, swimwear and a change of clothes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Reef shoes or thongs for the coral beach
Your own snorkel gear, if you have it
Cash or a card for food, drinks and extras

What is included

Return boat transfers between Cairns and Fitzroy Island

Not included

Snorkel gear hire (mask, snorkel, fins, lycra suit and flotation vest)
Glass bottom boat, guided snorkel experience and snorkel safari
Picnic lunch, or food and drinks at Foxy's Bar and Bistro
Hotel pick-up and drop-off

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

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.

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.

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

4.3

Based on 4 reviews

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.

(4/5)

Our day trip to Fitzroy Island was on a clean, comfortable boat, though a different boat from the one signposted and with little guidance on where to queue, and there's no shade waiting for the ferry back. The walk to Nudey Beach is short and shaded but rocky, so hard for less mobile people. Snorkelling there was good, with small rays, a turtle and plenty of fish.

Chloe Renshaw Verified· Travelled 2nd July 2026

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(5/5)

We booked at the last minute after another company cancelled. The ride was very choppy and many people were seasick, but the crew looked after everyone well both ways. We took the 10:45am boat and the 4pm return, which only leaves a few hours on the island, not enough for the summit hike, and the ticket felt pricey for a return boat ride.

J Verified· Travelled 11th March 2026

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(4/5)

We really enjoyed our day trip to Fitzroy Island. It was a great first taste of snorkelling for young kids, with lots of turtles grazing on sea grass around the jetty, and a beer at the bar in the afternoon.

M James Verified· Travelled 23rd September 2024

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(4/5)

A nice day trip to the island, which has a resort, walking trails, a shop for lunch and drinks, and nice beaches for swimming and snorkelling.

Rod Moore Verified· Travelled 4th June 2024

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