Sunlover Reef Cruises Fitzroy "Island Value" : Boat Transfers +2 selections of: Individual picnic lunchbox +/OR Glass bottom boat +/OR snorkeling equipment

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A day on Fitzroy Island with the return Sunlover ferry from Cairns, a picnic lunchbox and your choice of snorkel gear or a glass bottom boat tour.

Days

Full day, about 6 to 7.5 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Self-guided

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns Marina
Cairns Marina, about 4:30pm

Return

Cairns Marina, about 4:30pm

Transport

Sunlover return ferry, about an hour each way

Meals

Picnic lunchbox if you choose it as one of your two inclusions

Route

Map of Sunlover Reef Cruises Fitzroy "Island Value" : Boat Transfers +2 selections of: Individual picnic lunchbox +/OR Glass bottom boat +/OR snorkeling equipment

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Included experiences

Fitzroy Island — snorkelling or a glass bottom boat tour (your choice)
Rainforest trails — walks on the island
Island beaches — free time

Sunlover Reef Cruises Fitzroy "Island Value" : Boat Transfers +2 selections of: Individual picnic lunchbox +/OR Glass bottom boat +/OR snorkeling equipment

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO FITZROY ISLAND

Your day starts at the Reef Fleet Terminal at the southern end of the Esplanade in Cairns, on the early ferry at 8:45am or the standard one at 10:15am. The fast catamaran slips out along Trinity Inlet, named for the bay Captain Cook sailed into on Trinity Sunday in 1770, then crosses about 45 minutes of open water to Fitzroy Island. Cook named the island on the same voyage, and today about 99 per cent of it is national park rainforest. You step off at the jetty on Welcome Bay, where the coral starts only metres from the shore, by about 9:30am or 11am.

ON THE ISLAND: YOUR TWO INCLUSIONS

Your ticket comes with the two inclusions you picked when booking. With snorkel gear, wade straight in off the beach at Welcome Bay. Parrotfish graze the coral with beaks of fused teeth, and their crunching turns dead coral into fine sand. Wrasse are everywhere, and green sea turtles feed over the reef, named for the green tinge of their fat rather than their shells. At low tide some shallow patches are too shallow to enter, so keep off the coral. Or take the glass bottom boat, which drifts you over the fringing reef while you stay completely dry. Coral gardens, giant clams, anemones and fish sit between half a metre and three metres below the glass, and the crew explains what you're looking at.

LUNCH AND THE RAINFOREST TRACKS

If a picnic lunchbox is one of your picks, it's made with local island flavours in mind and is yours to eat whenever you like; if not, bring your own or buy lunch on the island. When you want shade, the rainforest tracks start near the jetty. Nudey Beach is a 15-minute walk through the forest to a cove of white coral rubble and granite boulders, so wear reef shoes. The Secret Garden track is a quieter 700-metre loop to a rest platform, where orange-footed scrubfowl rake the leaf litter into nesting mounds that the rotting leaves keep warm. Fitter walkers can climb to the Fitzroy Island Lighthouse on a 3.6 km track of about two hours, or take the 4.2 km Summit Circuit. Lunch can be eaten wherever you find a good spot.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

Boarding starts at 3:15pm on the jetty, so allow time for a last swim and a rinse under the showers. The ferry leaves Fitzroy Island at 3:30pm and is back at the marina in Cairns at about 4:30pm. Look back from the deck as you go: the rainforest runs right down to the granite boulders at the waterline.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: Daily. Early ferry: check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal from 7:45am, departs 8:45am, on the island about 9:30am. Standard ferry: check in from 8:45am, boarding closes 10am, departs 10:15am, on the island about 11am.
Finishes: Both ferries leave Fitzroy Island at 3:30pm and arrive at Cairns Marina about 4:30pm.
Suits: All ages, including young families.
Please note: Fitzroy Island Resort is not open to day visitors.

What to bring

Swimwear and beach towel
Sunscreen (SPF 30+, reef friendly recommended)
Sun-protective clothing such as a T-shirt or rash vest, hat and sunglasses
Cash or card for purchases on the island
Food and drinks for the day, or buy them on the island
Sturdy footwear if you plan to bushwalk
Camera
Reef shoes

What is included

Return ferry transfers
Individual picnic lunchbox
Snorkel gear or a glass bottom boat tour (your choice)

Not included

Drinks and on-island purchases
Optional activities and tours

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.