Catamaran, Half Or Full Day

Great Adventures runs this Green Island catamaran day trip, 45 minutes each way, with a cruise-only fare from A$112 and snorkel gear plus glass-bottom boat as an add-on. It rates 4.4 across 1,933 reviews. Free cancellation applies.

Overview

Great Adventures runs a fast catamaran from Cairns Marlin Marina out to Green Island, a tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef with rainforest walking tracks, a swim beach and an island pool. The crossing takes roughly 45 minutes each way on an air-conditioned vessel, with morning tea and coffee served before departure. Travellers check in at the Great Adventures counter at the terminal, and there is no hotel pickup with this product.

Booking options cover cruise-only transfers, snorkel gear hire, or a glass bottom boat coral viewing tour, so you can match the day to how wet you want to get. The reef sits close enough to shore that you can snorkel straight off the beach, where green sea turtles, fish and stingrays are commonly seen. Great Adventures guests also get a Marine Biologist Reef Talk and Island Walk plus exclusive use of the island swimming pool.

Half day and full day choices both give flexible free time, with up to seven hours on the island for a full day. Several reviewers said the half day felt short once they saw how much there is to do, and more than one recommended booking the longer option. Non-swimmers can view the reef from the glass bottom boat without getting wet. Add-ons such as scuba diving, Seawalker helmet diving, kayaking and helicopter flights cost extra.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Cairns terminalArrive at the Great Adventures counter at Cairns Marlin Marina, 1 Spence Street, Cairns City. Morning tea and coffee are available on board prior to departure.
2. Catamaran to Green IslandThe air-conditioned fast catamaran departs Cairns at 8:30am, arriving at Green Island around 9:15am. A second departure runs at 10:30am, arriving 11:15am.
3. Free time on the islandSpend your time as you choose: snorkel from the beach, take a glass bottom boat over the coral gardens, walk the self-guided rainforest boardwalks, or swim in the island pool. Up to seven hours of leisure time is available on full day options.
4. Marine Biologist Reef TalkGreat Adventures guests can join a Marine Biologist Reef Talk and Island Walk, exclusive to this operator's passengers.
5. Optional extra activitiesAt additional cost: introductory or certified scuba diving, offshore snorkel trips, Seawalker helmet diving, canoe and windsurf hire, beach volleyball, and scenic helicopter flights. The Marineland Melanesia crocodile habitat on the island can also be visited.
6. Return cruise to CairnsBoats leave Green Island at 2:30pm, arriving Cairns 3:15pm, or at 4:30pm, arriving 5:15pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how the day goes, from sea conditions on the crossing to which option you book at the terminal.

• Getting there. The ride out can be windy, and one reviewer suggested taking motion sickness remedies if you are prone to it. The catamaran is air-conditioned and the crossing is about 45 minutes each way.
• Choose your option. Decide before you travel whether you want transfers only, snorkel gear, or the glass bottom boat. One reviewer found the glass bottom boat was not in their booking and paid at the terminal, so confirm what your option includes.
• What to bring. The listing recommends a hat, swimwear, towel, camera and sunscreen. Drones are not allowed.
• Pace and fitness. The day is self-directed once you land, with flexible free time to swim, snorkel, relax on beaches or explore the rainforest boardwalks at your own pace. Swimmers and snorkellers often wished they had booked the full day for more time on the island.
• Food and drink. Meals are not included. The island has a poolside bar, a dive shop and a selection of restaurants and food outlets serving freshly prepared meals, snacks and refreshments, plus showers, toilets and shaded areas.
• Wildlife sightings. Reviewers frequently mention turtles, stingrays and colourful reef fish, both from the beach and the glass bottom boat.

Common issues. The glass bottom boat drew the most consistent criticism: several reviewers said roughly 30 minutes felt rushed and would prefer 45 to 60, and one felt the run was cut short of the advertised length. One reviewer paid an extra fee at the terminal because their booking did not include the glass bottom boat, so check your option carefully before arriving. Tours proceed in most weather, but sea state or visibility can change activities, and unsafe conditions can delay or cancel departures, in which case rescheduling or a full refund applies. There is no hotel pickup, and optional activities such as diving and helicopter flights cost extra.

Choosing A Tour