Big Cat Full Day, Snorkel Choice

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises takes this full-day catamaran trip to Green Island, with a choice of snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat and an optional lunch or semi-submarine add-on. It rates 4.5 across 1,727 reviews. Free cancellation applies.

Overview

Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises runs a full-day catamaran trip from Cairns out to Green Island National Park, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The total duration is about eight hours, and check-in is directly on the vessel at Marlin Wharf on Spence Street.

Once the catamaran reaches the island, the time ashore is largely your own. You can walk the island, swim off the beaches, or use the included snorkelling gear to look at fish and coral. The base ticket covers the catamaran trip, safety gear, and a snorkelling session or a glass-bottom boat tour, while the buffet lunch and the semi-submarine tour are available if you pick the options that include them. A semi-submarine or glass-bottom boat ride suits anyone who wants to see the reef without getting wet.

Reviews repeatedly single out the crew, the buffet, and the glass-bottom boat. Several travellers also mention turtles and plentiful fish around the island. The mix of beach time, snorkelling, and dry reef viewing makes for a relaxed day out on the water.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Marlin WharfMake your own way to Marlin Wharf at 1 Spence Street, Cairns, and check in directly on the vessel. The listing does not state whether hotel pickup is available.
2. Catamaran sail to Green IslandBoard the catamaran with the crew and cruise out across the water toward Green Island National Park, roughly in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Free time on the islandStroll the island, relax on the beaches, and swim, with views of the ocean on arrival.
4. Snorkel or glass-bottom boatSnorkelling gear is provided, or you can view the coral and fish from a glass-bottom boat. The semi-submarine tour is a separate option if selected at booking.
5. Buffet lunch, if option selectedThe buffet lunch is included only with the option that covers it. Reviewers describe the food as good with plenty of variety.
6. Return catamaran to CairnsSail back to Cairns, with a total trip duration of around eight hours. One reviewer mentioned a talk from a marine biologist on the homeward leg.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from repeated reviewer comments will help you plan the day.

• Bring swim gear. The listing says to bring swimwear and a towel. Several reviewers swam or snorkelled, so come ready to get in the water.
• Tide and wind matter. More than one reviewer said wind or tide affected the snorkelling, with one recommending snorkelling at high tide and another finding the coral a long way out on a windy day. The glass-bottom boat is a good backup when conditions are poor.
• Choose your options. The base fare covers the catamaran, safety gear, and either snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat ride. The buffet lunch and semi-submarine tour only apply if you select those options when booking, a distinction some reviewers wanted made clearer.
• Relaxed pace. Reviewers describe a comfortable boat with seating inside and out, smooth check-in, and well-managed activities. The day suits swimmers and non-swimmers alike since reef viewing can happen from a boat.
• Food gets good marks. The buffet, when included, earns consistent praise for variety and taste. One reviewer called it absolutely delicious with a lot of variety.
• Wildlife viewing. Several reviewers mention turtles close to shore and plenty of fish. A marine biologist talk featured on at least one return sailing, though crew activities vary.

Common issues. The recurring complaint is confusion over what is included versus paid add-ons such as lunch, the semi-submarine, and extra reef activities, which the review summary itself acknowledges. Snorkelling quality depends heavily on conditions: reviewers reported wind pushing coral out of easy reach, and one party skipped the water entirely on a rainy, windy day. One reviewer was disappointed not to see much while snorkelling for this reason. Travellers wanting reliable reef viewing in rough weather should plan on the glass-bottom boat instead.

Choosing A Tour