Take The Ferry to Green Island For an Amazing Day Trip From Cairns
Book your ferry over to Green Island with the Great Adventures fast cat! Once you’re on the page, scroll down to book tickets for just the Ferry across, or choose a tour with activities included.
If you only have time for one island when exploring Tropical North Queensland from Cairns, taking the ferry over to Green Island is a top choice!
‘’Look, there’s another turtle!’’ I said to my son. He had only just announced on the short boat trip over that turtles were his favourite “under-water” animal.
Whipping around to look where I was pointing, he asked excitedly if we could follow it. We were standing in the water’s edge at Green Island, just 45 minutes from Cairns and it was the fourth turtle we had spotted that morning. Turtle number four was chilling about in the shallow waters just a few metres from the shoreline.
Watch Our YouTube Clip Below as we Ferry Over to Green Island For The Day
The first two were on a glass-bottom boat coral viewing tour which we jumped on board as soon as we arrived and the third was as we were snorkelling over the sea-grass in the shallows just 20 minutes earlier.
Before I could answer, the turtle picked up speed and headed back towards the deeper ocean. ‘’Never mind, he’s gone now,’’ I said. ‘’I’m hungry now anyway.’’
Realising that nobody has actually grabbed the bag that contained our sandwiches for the day when we left, we went in search of a cafe. I suspect that Green Island’s convenience is one of the reasons the island is said to be the most popular.
We headed to the day visitor area and found a cafe within minutes, ordering four burgers with a side of chips, which we ate picnic style spread out on an oversized towel on the beach. I didn’t regret forgetting our lunch one bit, this was way better than vegemite sandwiches, as was the ice-cream we treated ourselves too afterwards.
Why Green Island?
At 6000 years old, Green Island is only around 29 acres in size and offers a unique reef and rainforest experience, being the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest.
Surrounded by marine life and coral gardens, the island offers a range of snorkelling opportunities. The shallows are an ideal introduction to snorkelling and there’s a good chance of finding Nemo … who we all forgot about when we realised spotting turtles was on the cards!
There is a resort, restaurant, facilities with showers and everything families need for a comfortable visit.
Credit – Sean Scott – Tourism & Events Queensland
Why Ferry Over to Green Island With Great Adventures?
We headed over with Great Adventures and I wouldn’t do it any other way. The experience was seamless and professional from beginning to end. Great Adventures’ Green Island Discovery tour is perfect for families and includes:
- Fast return catamaran cruise to Green Island
- Use of snorkelling equipment
- Glass-bottom boat coral viewing tour
- Exclusive use of the island swimming pool
- Exclusive eco-island walk
- Use of day visitor facilities
- Beach bag
We took full advantage of the snorkelling equipment and I was pleasantly surprised to find that sizes were available for both my five and seven-year-old, who were very excited about getting kitted out with fins, masks and a snorkel. Although they can both swim, we also grabbed a life vest for them so they could just concentrate on learning to snorkel properly.
Credit – Jemma Craig – Tourism & Events Queensland
Fun Things to do When You Take The Ferry Over to Green Island
Teach the Kids to Snorkel in the Shallow Waters
*Snorkel equipment hire is included in the Discovery Package
The dive shop has everything you need for a no-fuss snorkelling adventure. If younger kids are a little afraid of swimming over coral (like one of mine is), they will still be able to spot fish and possibly even turtles in the seagrass patches close to shore near the lifeguard area.
Find Nemo on a Glass Bottom Boat Coral Viewing Tour
*Included in the Green Island Discovery Package
The Glass bottom boat tours go for around 30 minutes and leave from the bend’ in the jetty. Make sure you book your departure time when you arrive on the island.
Expect to see an amazing array of marine life and coral including Nemo and some of his well-known friends!
Don a Seawalker Helmet for a Unique View
The Seawalker is an amazing underwater helmet diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef. The experience is unique in that you are able to walk on the seafloor surrounded by the colourful tropical fish and corals at Green Island.
No diving experience is necessary and nonswimmers are even welcome. The experience is fully supervised and is suitable for adults and kids over 12 years of age only.
Stroll the Exclusive Great Adventures Eco Island Walk
*Part of the Green Island Discovery Package
Green Island is the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with rainforest and there is a beautiful Eco-Island Walk exclusive to great adventures that allows families to enjoy it.
Featuring informative signs and a well-maintained walking track, families can stroll back along the beach on the sand.
See More of Green Island’s Amazing Marine Life on a Boat Snorkel Trip
A short five to seven-minute trip offshore and you will find yourself at one of Green Island’s four beautiful dive and snorkel sites. The boat snorkel trip allows you to experience much more of the islands amazing marine life than swimming just off-shore. Buoyancy vests are included.
Splurge on a Helicopter Flight
The scenic helicopter flight is a stunning way to experience the magnitude and beauty of one of the world’s most fascinating natural wonders. Enjoy the bird’s eye view of the reef and of course, Green Island in all its glory.
See the Largest Captive Crocodile in Australia at Marineland Melanesia
Marineland Melanesia is home to Cassius, the largest captive crocodile in the whole of Australia. At 5.48 metres long, Cassius is estimated to be at least 110 years old.
It’s also home to one of the largest private collections of exotic Melanesian tribal artifacts and aquariums. Marineland Melanesia is a hit with kids with daily croc shows and a chance to hold a baby croc.
Credit – Vince Valitutti – Tourism & Events Queensland
Looking for more Cairns family holiday inspiration?
Head back to our Cairns page for more inspiration on family holidays and activities in and around the Cairns region in Tropical North Queensland. Alternatively, explore our home page for more Australian and worldwide inspiration.
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Cairns holiday resources
Best time to visit Cairns
April to September is often touted as the best time to visit Cairns for a great mix of warm dry weather, affordable accommodation and not too many people around. Winter temperatures in Cairns are VERY comfortable! In fact, many use a Cairns holiday as a way to escape the winter cold in other areas.
Stinger season runs from November to March with December to March usually being the hot/wet season.
Where to stay
For budget-conscious families, the Cairns Central YHA is a great choice!
For mid-range apartment accommodation with plenty of space for families, the Park Regis City Quays is a great choice. (our top choice!)
If you’re looking for five-star, Riley a Crystalbrook Collection, is a great choice in a fantastic location near the Cairns Lagoon.
Getting to Cairns
Cairns is a long way from Australia’s capital cities. Located 1,678km North of Brisbane and 2,414km North of Sydney, it’s a long road trip to get there. If you can’t stand the thought of a long road trip with kids, or just don’t have the time, there are regular flights from the capital and major cities.
Find a great deal on Trip.com.
Getting around Cairns
Getting around Cairns on foot won’t be a problem if your goal is to spend time on the reef and see the city. Particularly if you’re accommodation is within walking distance to the marina and esplanade like the three recommended above.
To head further afield to chase waterfalls, visit the Daintree Rainforest or head even further north to Cape Tribulation, hiring a car is a great option.
Credit – Tourism & Events Queensland
This article first appeared in Issue 4 of our digital magazine under the title, ”Finding Nemo and Spotting Turtles – This is Green Island”
Disclaimer – We visited Green Island in collaboration with Great Adventures.