Green Island & Outer Reef Pontoon
Discover Green Island and the Outer Great Barrier Reef from Cairns in one day. Includes snorkelling, semi-submarine coral viewing, free time on the coral cay, access to an activity platform, buffet lunch, and marine biologist presentations.
Key Highlights
- 45 minute catamaran transfer from Cairns to Green Island
- 2 hours exploring Green Island coral cay, rainforest, and beach
- Lifeguard patrolled beach, Eco Island Walk, and swimming pool access
- 3 hours on Outer Great Barrier Reef activity platform
- Snorkel gear provided for island and reef
- Semi-submersible coral viewing tours every 30 minutes
- Underwater observatory access throughout the day
- Fish feeding presentation and Eco Reef Talk with marine biologist
- Buffet lunch, morning tea, coffee, cake selection, cheese and biscuits included
- Optional pre booked activities such as scuba diving and helicopter flights
What’s included
- Catamaran transfers between Cairns, Green Island, and Outer Great Barrier Reef platform
- 2 hours free time on Green Island
- 3 hours at the Outer Great Barrier Reef activity platform
- Snorkel gear (fins, mask, snorkel) and buoyancy vests
- Lifeguard patrolled beach and island swimming pool access
- Semi-submersible tours with commentary
- Underwater observatory access
- Fish feeding presentation and Eco Reef Talk
- Hot and cold buffet lunch
- Morning tea, coffee, cake selection, and afternoon cheese and biscuits
Overview
Experience the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with a full day tour from Cairns. Begin your day at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal and board a catamaran for a 45 minute trip across the Coral Sea to Green Island, a 6000 year old coral cay surrounded by vibrant reefs.
You will have 2 hours on Green Island to swim at the lifeguard patrolled beach, snorkel with equipment from the Dive Shop, relax on white coral sands, take a self guided Eco Island Walk, or enjoy the swimming pool. Optional activities like scuba and helmet diving may be available if pre booked and time permits.
The adventure continues with a transfer to the Outer Great Barrier Reef activity platform, where you spend 3 hours accessing top reef experiences. Snorkel directly from the platform, take semi-submersible coral viewing tours operating every 30 minutes, and visit the underwater observatory at your leisure.
Learn more from marine biologist presentations and Eco Reef Talks, and watch the fish feeding sessions. Throughout the day, enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch on the platform, plus morning tea, coffee, cake, and afternoon cheese and biscuits.
Commonly asked questions.
The tour includes return catamaran travel, 2 hours on Green Island, 3 hours at the Outer Reef platform, snorkelling at both locations, a semi-submersible reef tour, underwater observatory, marine biologist presentations, buffet lunch, tea and coffee, and cheese and biscuits on the return journey.
The itinerary provides approximately 2 hours on Green Island, from around 9:15am until departure at 11:20am.
You can snorkel directly from the lifeguard-patrolled beach, explore the rainforest, walk along the beach or take part in optional activities. A Seawalker Helmet dive is also available as an option at Green Island.
Yes. Snorkelling at Green Island is included, with masks, snorkels and fins available from the island dive shop.
No. You can swim, walk through the rainforest, relax on the beach or simply enjoy the island.
Included activities include snorkelling, a semi-submersible reef tour, underwater observatory, reef education presentation and Eco Reef Talk with a marine biologist.
Yes. The stable activity platform is designed for both swimmers and non-swimmers, with the semi-submersible and underwater observatory providing ways to see the reef without entering the water.
Yes. A hot and cold buffet lunch is included and is served at the Outer Reef platform between approximately 1:00pm and 2:30pm.
Yes. Depending on availability and time, optional activities can include introductory and certified scuba diving, Seawalker, Scuba-Doo, scenic helicopter flights and guided snorkelling.
Yes. A marine biologist conducts an Eco Reef Talk and fish-feeding presentation at the Outer Reef platform.
Bring swimwear, a towel, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a camera. Spending money is useful for refreshments, souvenirs and optional activities. Drones are not permitted.