Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises Green Island Tour Full Day including Diving

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A full day on Green Island from Cairns with a scuba dive built in: a beginner's introductory dive from the beach, or a guided boat dive if you are certified. Around the dive you have about five hours on a coral cay with rainforest, beaches and turtles in the shallows.

Days

Full day, 9am to 5pm

Age

12 years and over to dive

Group size

Shared reef cruise

Start / finish

Cairns / Green Island / Cairns
Cairns, 5pm

Return

Cairns, 5pm

Transport

Big Cat catamaran from Cairns, a little over an hour each way

Meals

No meals included; buffet lunch can be added

Route

Map of Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises Green Island Tour Full Day including Diving

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Included experiences

Introductory dive — learn in the shallows off the beach, then swim over coral gardens
Certified dive — guided boat dive to deeper reef-edge sites
Green Island — snorkel off the beach or take the glass bottom boat
Rainforest boardwalks — walk across the coral cay's forest
Cruise — snorkel demonstration and reef talk on the way over

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises Green Island Tour Full Day including Diving

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAIRNS TO GREEN ISLAND

Check in at Big Cat at Marlin Wharf about 30 minutes before the 9am departure; you get your berth and a marina map by email and text the afternoon before. The 35 metre catamaran is air-conditioned and the crossing takes a little over an hour. On the way the crew give a reef talk and a snorkelling demonstration, and everyone diving fills in a medical form on board. The crew help you plan the day around your dive, introductory or certified.

YOUR DIVE: INTRODUCTORY OR CERTIFIED

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. New to diving? The introductory dive starts on the beach, where an instructor teaches you the basics in shallow water, then leads you out over coral gardens about 5 metres deep, to sites with clownfish, giant clams and turtles. It takes about an hour. Certified divers show their card and go out on the dive boat for a guided dive of 40 to 45 minutes on the deeper reef edge, with swim-throughs, reef sharks and rays. A second dive can be added.

MIDDAY AND AFTERNOON: SNORKEL, WALK AND REST

The rest of your five hours is yours. Use your snorkel gear off the beach, or take the 30 minute glass bottom boat, whichever you chose when you booked. The boardwalks run through rainforest that grows on nothing but coral sand, and the whole island is a national park. Big Cat stays at the jetty as an air-conditioned base, and a buffet lunch is served on board if you've added it. Showers on the island let you rinse off before the trip home.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO CAIRNS

Big Cat leaves Green Island at about 3:45pm and you're back in Cairns at 5pm. From the deck on the way in, the Wet Tropics ranges rise straight up behind the city, the rainforest World Heritage area that meets the reef at Cairns.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Big Cat at Marlin Wharf, Cairns. Your berth number comes by email and text the afternoon before. Paid parking is opposite at the Pier Shopping Complex, with cheaper all-day parking near Trinity Wharf.
Departure time: 9am; check in about 30 minutes before.
Finishes: Cairns, 5pm.
Minimum age: 12 years to dive. Divers under 18 need a parent or guardian's permission, and children under 16 must be with an adult all day.
Fitness: Everyone fills in a dive medical form on board. If you answer yes to any question, you need a doctor's clearance in English on clinic letterhead. Queensland rules on asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure and some medications can rule people out.
Please note: Don't fly within 12 hours of one dive or 24 hours of two. Stingers can be around from about November to May. Free ginger tablets are on board for seasickness. No BYO alcohol, and no drones.

What to bring

Swimwear and a towel
Spare clothing
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Your dive certification card if you are doing a certified dive
A doctor's clearance if the dive medical form will ask about a condition you have
Cash or a card for purchases

What is included

Return cruise from Cairns to Green Island on the Big Cat catamaran
About 5 hours on Green Island
An introductory dive or a certified dive, with all dive gear
Choice of snorkel gear (with stinger suit and vest) or a glass bottom boat tour, chosen when you book
Snorkelling demonstration and reef presentation on the way to the island
Use of Big Cat as an air-conditioned base while at the island
Island rainforest boardwalks

Not included

Lunch (a buffet on board Big Cat can be added)
A second dive
Semi-submarine ride and snorkel safari (optional extras)
Coach transfers from Cairns city or the Northern Beaches (available for this 9am trip at extra cost)
Drinks and snacks

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

5.0

Based on 5 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.

(5/5)

Eylul was the best scuba guide, and Cemella captained our boat, with women running the ship.

Dr Mandeep kaur Mandeep Nursing Home Verified· Travelled 16th October 2026

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(5/5)

Our Green Island trip was seamless and the crew were friendly and helpful. It was our first time scuba diving and we were very nervous, but Silvia and Eugene were so patient that we felt confident and had the time of our lives.

Minul Heenkenda Verified· Travelled 26th June 2026

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(5/5)

Nico led our scuba dive and was patient, kind and professional, even waiting while colleagues translated for the two others in my group who didn't speak English. The dive itself was awesome, and staff who speak Chinese and Japanese are on hand to help.

Kate Verified· Travelled 1st May 2026

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(5/5)

A memorable trip to Green Island with polite, professional staff. Big thanks to Denise for snorkelling, Ethan for scuba diving, Luca and Jen, and the marine biologist who explained the reef life on the underwater tour.

Satvik Verified· Travelled 3rd February 2026

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(5/5)

We did the introductory scuba dive at Green Island and Dive Master Perrine made us feel safe and comfortable before taking us out on the reef. Thanks to Jake and Isobel for great hospitality too.

Timbo 42T Verified· Travelled 25th September 2025

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