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Not sure which reef trip suits you? Compare Green Island vs Fitzroy Island and Green Island vs Moore Reef.

Plan Your Visit

Planning ahead helps you make the most of your island experience.

Green Island seen across the reef flatCompare Green Island ToursGreen Island tours compared by departure time and reef experience.Green Island jetty stretching out over the waterGreen Island Ferry from CairnsFerry departures from Cairns, check-in, boarding and which departure suits you.Green Island seen from the water under a blue skyThings to Do on Green IslandSnorkelling, scuba diving, glass bottom boats, rainforest walks and more on the island.Two visitors walking on a rainforest boardwalkGreen Island ToursHalf day, full day and overnight tours from Cairns, with activity add-ons and departure times.

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Visit our Plan Your Visit section for practical travel advice.

Green Island Quick Answers

Where is Green Island?

About 27 kilometres offshore from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, around 45 minutes by catamaran.

Is Green Island part of the Great Barrier Reef?

Yes. It sits within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with fringing reef starting just metres from the beach.

Is Green Island a national park?

Yes. The island’s forested interior is national park, with a rainforest walking trail that takes about 15 minutes.

How do I get to Green Island?

Boats leave from the Marlin Marina in Cairns, with check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street, and the crossing takes about 45 minutes.

How to get to Green Island

How long should I spend there?

Green Island is compact, so a full day is enough to snorkel, take a reef tour, walk the rainforest boardwalk and have lunch. Half-day tours suit a shorter visit, and you can also stay overnight at Green Island Resort.

Compare Green Island Tours | Where to stay

When is the best time to visit?

The dry season, roughly June to October, has comfortable temperatures, low humidity and usually excellent visibility. Stinger season runs from around November to May, when a full-body stinger suit is recommended.

Weather and best time to visit

Staying overnight on Green Island

Green Island Resort is the only accommodation on the island, and staying overnight lets you see the reef after the day visitors have gone.

Green Island accommodation guide

Why Visit Green Island?

Green Island offers a rare mix of Great Barrier Reef and rainforest in one compact destination.

    • Snorkel coral reefs directly from the beach
    • Walk shaded rainforest boardwalks
    • Relax on white sandy beaches
    • Enjoy calm, family-friendly lagoon waters
    • Access facilities including cafés and amenities

Most visitors reach the island via the Green Island ferry from Cairns, with multiple daily departures available.

Couple walking along the beach past shade umbrellasVisitors walking the rainforest boardwalkVisitors on the beach beside the Green Island jetty

Green Island suits families, non-swimmers who want to see the reef, couples, first-time reef visitors and travellers short on time in Cairns.

Explore Green Island – Map and Island Layout

Green Island Map

 

Common Questions About Visiting Green Island

We have young kids. Is Green Island a good choice?

Yes. The reef starts in very shallow water near the beach, so small children can see reef fish and coral in conditions they can manage safely.

Family and Accessibility Guide | Family-friendly tours

I can’t swim. Is there still plenty to do?

Yes. The glass bottom boat is seated and needs no swimming, and Seawalker lets you walk on the sea floor with air supplied to your helmet.

Things to do on Green Island | Compare Green Island Tours

We only have one day in Cairns. Can we fit in Green Island?

Yes. The crossing takes about 45 minutes, and a full day gives time to snorkel, take a reef tour, walk the rainforest and have lunch.

One Day on Green Island: Sample Itinerary | Green Island Discovery

We’re visiting in summer. What about stingers?

Stinger season runs from around November to May. Wear a full-body stinger suit, which you can hire from tour operators and on the island.

Stinger season and reef safety

Should we choose Green Island or Fitzroy Island?

Our side-by-side guide compares travel time, activities and who each island suits best.

Green Island vs Fitzroy Island

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