Updated on: Wednesday November 19, 2008

Guide To The Islands

There are three main islands on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns - Green Island, Fitzroy Island and the Frankland Islands.  Some have resorts on them, some don't and some are for day trips only. Here is a short description about all three...

Green Island

Green Island is a coral cay.  This means no mountains or land forms, just palm trees and beaches.  There is quite a lot of coral around the island and is great for those people who have never tried snorkelling before and are a little nervous.  Green Island provides a good solid base to work from and the water is quite shallow.  Water sports are available for hire from the island as well and there is a 5-star resort on the island with a swimming pool, that is available to all.  Scuba diving is also an option on Green Island.

The fish and coral around Green Island is a lot more plentiful than off of the beach at Fitzroy Island.

Be prepared for food prices on any island though, it is very expensive!! We recommend including lunch as part of your cruise package

Fitzroy Island

A 'true' island, with mountains you can go climbing on (or should we say 'up'?).  The beaches are not as good on this island, but there is one beach called Nudey Beach (don't worry, not many people do strip their clothes off!) that is a sand beach.  There is a nice walk to get there of about twenty minutes, but all of the other beaches are coral beaches not so comfortable for sun baking!

There is less people at Fitzroy Island as it is not very well known for it's coral and fish life.  You need to go a little way off shore to find it, or take one of the guided snorkelling tours (at your own expense) from the island.  There is also a resort on this island, but the pool is free to use for all day trippers. Fishing is also allowed from the rocks and shore at Fitzroy Island

This is a great relaxing day trip if you want to be in control of what you want to do. A trip for types of budgets. A great family day out.

Frankland Islands

A very beautiful and deserted island, this island is reserved for day trippers only and only one cruise company is allowed to visit there.  As a consequence, we think the coral is a lot better at this island than the other two and also very accessible from the shore.  Nice beaches too but make sure you find some shade!

Green Island via Cat

One of our favourites here at visitcairns. Being a catamaran means that your trip over to Green Island is a fast ride.

The boat is extremely comfortable with three main deck area's, air-conditioning and a licensed bar.  They also show a great video on the way home called 'Coral Sea Dreaming' which has some amazing footage of the reef.

Whether you want to stay for a whole day or spend only a few hours on Green Island their is a cruise option to suit you. You can choose to include the activities you want to do or you can take it easy, snorkel, swim or just relax on the idyllic sandy beach and 'veg out' on the beach all day. Do as little or as much as you like. All passengers are given the choice of either a glass bottom boat ride or the use of snorkelling gear for the whole day. For an extra $10 you can have both options.
 

The crew are always friendly and because buying your own lunch on Green Island can be so expensive, we strongly recommend the great option that includes a buffet lunch in your price.

Departs daily every day except Christmas. 8.45am, 9.00am, 10.30am, 1.00pm.

Green Island via Sail

You'll hear the wind in the sails rather than the sound of an engine!  Taking only a maximum of around thirty or so people, everyone seems to make friends with one another making this sailing boat one of the favourites in Cairns.
If you are choosing to go to an island rather than the Outer Reef,  you will be provided with the best reef around Green Island. There is a mooring a small distance from the shore line at Pinnacle Reef, but far enough off to give you a great reef location. You can spend time on the island doing as you please or snorkelling around the boat, or both. There is plenty of time for both plus introductory or certified scuba diving. 
There is a great atmosphere on this boat mainly because of the small numbers and the crew provide a very personalised trip. There is generally plenty of fun and games on the way home!
It's a nice leisurely sail providing there is wind and very relaxing. The cruise will get you home at around 5:30 pm and you should have plenty of memories from this trip to last you a lifetime!

Departs Daily @ 0900 am & returns around 1730 hrs

Fitzroy Island

An inexpensive way to see Fitzroy Island. It's just your basic 'ferry' ride over and back but provides good value for money and a comfortable ride over there.
There is plenty  of things to do on Fitzroy Island. Whether it be going for a rainforest walk to the lighthouse, swimming in the pool or in the ocean, undertaking some energetic water sports or just plain relaxing on Nudey Beach (clothing is optional but most people tend to wear it!!) there's something for everyone and there's about 6 hours to do it in!
There is a resort on Fitzroy Island with a pool and bar area that is available for you to use, a kiosk  and a souvenir shop as well. Snorkelling equipment can be hired on the island if you don't possess any of your own as well as various other water sports equipment such as surf ski's, sea kayaks and canoes. There is also a BBQ on the island that you can use.

A great way to spend a day if you are looking for a nice relaxing activity.

•  Departs daily at 8.30am, 10.30am and 4pm (campers and in-house guests only).

•  Please email us for accommodation prices to stay on Fitzroy.

•  For a Road Test on our trip to Fitzroy Island click here!

• To Road Test the amazing Thunderbolt Reef Rafting Experience click here!

Combine A Visit To Fitzroy & The Outer Barrier Reef!

IT'S INSANE and there's NOTHING like it !!!! - The brand new Thunderbolt 1  is the fastest commercial vessel on the Great Barrier Reef and has access to 3 different reef sites (Moore Reef, Flynn Reef and Thetford Reef) located on the Outer Edge of the Great Barrier Reef, providing flexibility in varying weather conditions. This craft is the first of its kind on the Great Barrier Reef and travels at 80 km an hour, and will have your from Fitzroy Island to the Outer Reef in just 24 minutes!!

Frankland Island

You will be quite taken with the location and the exclusiveness of this trip as they are the only operator who goes to this island,. far from the maddening crowd.
The day starts with a hotel pick-up and then a shortish drive to where the boat departs from. There is a short cruise up the Mulgrave River with a commentary along the way pointing out things of interest. This is a very unusual yet refreshing way to start an island cruise and well worth the half hour drive to get there.
There is a short run once you reach the mouth of the river to where the Frankland Islands are. If you're a little bit prone to seasickness this trip will be perfect for you.
The island is yours for the day as Frankland Islands Cruises has the only permit to go to this island. The coral is right off of the beach, with all snorkelling equipment and a glass bottom boat included in the price. Your lunch is a good old Australian BBQ under a canopy to keep the sun off. 
The trip returns to Cairns at 5.30 pm and is well worth the money.

Tour departs daily

Prices For 2006/7
Tour	Adult	Child	Family
Full Day Frankland Islands - Guided snorkelling tour, snorkelling equipment and tuition •Reef & Island interpretation by a Marine Biologist or Marine Naturalist •Coral viewing tour from our semi-submersible or glass bottom vessel •Guided Island Walk and Informative Environmental Commentary •Complimentary use of a Protection Suit •Morning and afternoon tea •Fresh tropical lunch (includes prawns) •Return transfers from accommodation in air-conditioned coach	$139.00	$79.00	$357.00
Including Introductory dive(1) - must be pre-booked with day trip	$179.00	n/a	-
Return Camping Transfers to Russell Island - + $40 pp above tour price  (from Deeral Landing only) & Campers must obtain a camping permit from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services, which you are required to take with you.
Pay on Board Fees & Charges apply including an Environmental Management Charge per person and these fees  charges are NOT included in the tour/cruise fare.
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