Great Adventures Green Island Discovery (Snorkel Gear & Glass Bottom Boat) + Boat Snorkel Trip

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A day on Green Island, the only rainforest coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, with snorkel gear, a glass bottom boat tour and a boat trip out to the snorkel sites about 1.5 km offshore. You get up to seven hours on the island, a pool for Great Adventures guests and a free walk with a marine biologist.

Days

Up to 7 hours on the island

Age

All ages

Group size

Self-guided island day

Start / finish

Cairns / Green Island / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Fast catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns

Meals

Morning tea; lunch is not included

Route

Map of Great Adventures Green Island Discovery (Snorkel Gear & Glass Bottom Boat) + Boat Snorkel Trip

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Included experiences

Green Island — snorkel from the lifeguard-patrolled beach
Offshore reef — boat snorkel trip to sites 1.5 km out
Glass bottom boat — 30 minutes over the coral gardens
Rainforest boardwalk — walk with a marine biologist or on your own
Island pool — swim in the pool kept for Great Adventures guests

Great Adventures Green Island Discovery (Snorkel Gear & Glass Bottom Boat) + Boat Snorkel Trip

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO GREEN ISLAND

Check in at the Great Adventures counter in the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns waterfront, then settle into the air-conditioned fast catamaran with a morning tea and coffee before it casts off. The run out across open water takes about 45 minutes, and the island's thin line of trees appears long before the sand does.

ARRIVAL: A RAINFOREST ON THE REEF

Green Island sits 27 km off Cairns, a coral cay about 6,000 years old and just 12 hectares in size. It is the only one of the reef's roughly 300 coral cays with a rainforest growing on it. Its traditional name is Wunyami (Green Island), sea country of the Guru-Gulu Gungganji and Yidinji people, and Captain Cook named it in 1770 after his astronomer, Charles Green. Your snorkel gear is waiting at the Dive Shop, and the main beach is patrolled by Surf Life Saving Queensland lifeguards. Large sea turtles feed on the seagrass just off the sand.

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT

The glass bottom boat carries on a Green Island tradition: the first one ran here in 1937, and the island's underwater observatory followed in 1954. For about 30 minutes you glide over the coral gardens while the crew name what passes below, from parrotfish to giant clams. It is the easy way to get your bearings before you get wet.

THE BOAT SNORKEL TRIP

The boat snorkel trip takes you past the beach crowd. A ride of five to seven minutes reaches one of four dive and snorkel sites about 1.5 km from the island, where the coral is thicker and the fish less used to people. A lifeguard watches from the boat and points you to the best patches, and buoyancy vests are supplied. It is not a guided tour, so you set your own pace.

THE ISLAND WALK AND THE POOL

A boardwalk loops through the shady vine-thicket forest, home to more than 120 plant species and 55 bird species, and the whole island is only about 1.6 km around, so nothing is far. Follow it on your own with the eco walk guide, or join a Reef Biosearch marine biologist for the free reef talk and island walk (spaces are limited, so ask at the Information Counter when you land). The swimming pool is kept for Great Adventures guests. Extras such as a Seawalker helmet dive, parasailing or the crocodiles at Marineland Melanesia can be added on the day.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

Lunch is your own choice from the island's restaurant, grill, café and pool bar, or bring a picnic. Boats head back to the mainland in the afternoon, so you choose how long to stay, up to about seven hours. Rinse off in the showers before the 45 minute crossing, and watch Cairns and the green wall of the ranges behind it grow on the horizon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Great Adventures counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, beside the Pier Marketplace. Arrive about an hour before departure to collect boarding passes; boarding starts 30 minutes before the boat leaves.
Departure time: Your outward and return sailings are confirmed when you book. Boats leave Cairns in the morning and Green Island in the afternoon.
Minimum age: None; the trip suits all ages, including infants. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Fitness: Easy. Snorkelling can be strenuous, so tell the crew about any medical condition.
Accessibility: There are wheelchair-friendly boardwalks, accessible toilets and a beach wheelchair from the lifeguards, but some steps and narrow gangways, and steps on the glass bottom boat. A carer must be with you at all times.
Please note: Marine stingers are most common from November to April; lycra suits can be hired on the island. Coin and card lockers are for hire. Prams are fine on the boardwalks but not on the soft sand. Parking is available outside or undercover at the Pier, and nearby at the Reef Casino and the Cairns Hilton.

What to bring

Swimwear and towel
Hat and sunscreen (reef-safe sunscreen is recommended)
Sunglasses
Camera (drones are not allowed)
Credit or debit card for purchases on the island

What is included

Return air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise from Cairns
Up to 7 hours on Green Island
Morning tea and coffee, served until departure from Cairns
Snorkelling equipment: mask, snorkel and fins
Boat snorkel trip to an offshore site (not guided), with buoyancy vests
Glass bottom boat coral reef viewing tour, about 30 minutes
Marine biologist reef talk and island walk (spaces limited)
Self-guided eco island walk
Island swimming pool for Great Adventures guests only
Day visitor facilities: toilets and showers
Great Adventures beach bag

Not included

Lunch: Emeralds Restaurant, the Canopy Grill, Lite Bites Café and the Reflections Pool Bar sell meals and snacks, and you may bring your own food
Optional extras on the day, subject to availability: scuba diving, Seawalker helmet dive, marine biologist guided snorkel tour, parasailing, scenic helicopter flights, beach hire, GoPro hire, entry to Marineland Melanesia (crocodiles)
Lycra stinger suits, prescription masks and flotation vests for beach snorkelling (for hire at the Dive Shop)
Hotel transfers to the terminal (coach transfers can be arranged from most Cairns and Northern Beaches hotels)

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

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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 visited Green Island with the glass bottom boat, snorkel hire and an extra snorkel trip. Easy to book, the boat over was clean and fast, and everything was very well organised with friendly staff.

Aarron Bowden Verified· Travelled 14th September 2025

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