Great Adventures Green Island Discovery (Snorkel Gear & Glass Bottom Boat) + Seawalker Helmet Dive

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Green Island's top package with a Seawalker helmet dive added: snorkel gear and a glass bottom boat trip are both included, and you also walk the sea floor about 5 metres down in a helmet that keeps your head dry. Up to 7 hours on a coral cay 45 minutes from Cairns.

Days

7.5 hours

Age

Seawalker 12+ and 140 cm tall; cruise all ages

Group size

Shared catamaran cruise

Start / finish

Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal / Green Island / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Return fast catamaran, about 45 minutes each way

Meals

Morning tea and coffee before departure

Route

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

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Included experiences

Seawalker — walk on the sea floor in a helmet, about 5 metres down
Glass bottom boat — coral and fish without getting wet
Snorkelling — off the lifeguard-patrolled beach
Marine biologist — free reef talk and island walk
Green Island — rainforest eco walk and guests-only pool

Great Adventures Green Island Discovery (Snorkel Gear & Glass Bottom Boat) + Seawalker Helmet Dive

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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. This package gives you every way to see the reef from the island: the helmet dive, the glass bottom boat and snorkel gear, so plan the day around your booked Seawalker time.

WALKING ON THE SEA FLOOR

Your Seawalker helmet dive starts at the island dive shop with a short safety briefing and a fitting for a wetsuit and boots. A small boat runs you about five minutes out to the dive vessel, and turtles often surface on the way. An instructor lowers the helmet onto your shoulders and guides you slowly down to white sand about 5 metres below. Your head stays dry, glasses stay on, and guides walk beside you for 15 to 20 minutes among coral and reef fish. Allow about an hour from briefing to beach.

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT AND SNORKELLING

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. Then collect mask, snorkel and fins and swim off the lifeguard-patrolled beach, where large sea turtles feed on the seagrass in the shallows.

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.

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. Collect your boarding pass there; boarding closes 30 minutes before departure. Parking is outside or undercover at the pier, and coach transfers from Cairns and Northern Beaches hotels can be added for a fee.
Departure time: Boats leave Cairns at 8:30am and 10:30am and come back from Green Island at 2:30pm and 4:30pm, reaching Cairns about 50 minutes later. You can mix any outward and return time, giving between about 3 and 7 hours on the island.
Minimum age: All ages for the cruise; under-4s travel free. Seawalker is 12 and over, at least 140 cm tall, and everyone fills in a medical form first. Some conditions and medicines may rule it out, and children with very narrow shoulders may not fit the helmet.
Fitness: Seawalker needs no swimming and the descent is slow and guided. The island has wheelchair-friendly boardwalks and accessible toilets, but the glass bottom boat has steps and gangways are narrow.
Please note: Stingers can be present from November to April; lycra suits are for hire on the island. Seawalker runs in rain or cloud. No personal cameras or GoPros underwater.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
Comfortable shoes for the boardwalks
Camera for the island and boat (not allowed on Seawalker)
Card or cash for lunch and extras

What is included

Return fast catamaran from Cairns
Morning tea and coffee before departure
One Seawalker helmet dive, with wetsuit and boots
Snorkel gear: mask, snorkel and fins
Glass bottom boat reef tour
Reef talk and island walk with a marine biologist (limited spaces)
Self-guided eco island walk
Guests-only pool and day visitor facilities, including showers
Great Adventures beach bag
Up to 7 hours on Green Island

Not included

Lunch — buy it on the island or bring your own
Seawalker photos, sold by the island photographer
Coach transfers from Cairns or Northern Beaches hotels (extra cost)
Lycra stinger suit and buoyancy vest hire
Optional extras: scuba diving, boat snorkel trip, guided snorkel tour, parasailing, helicopter flights, Marineland crocodile park

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.