Island Resorts
Green Island and Fitzroy Island, two of Australia's most famous Great Barrier Reef island resorts lie just off Cairns. While both of them are easily accessible via daytrips, both also offer overnight accommodation.
You can snorkel and/or scuba dive directly from the beach, although both island resorts do have options to visit the Great Barrier Reef directly.
While camping is not permitted at Green Island, it is possible at Fitzroy Island and to the south at Russell Island - part of the Frankland Islands.