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Big Cat’s Cairns Green Island day tours can be booked as a half day or full day tour, with 2 departure times for each from Cairns. Green Island itself is a beautiful tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef, a coral cay surrounded by fringing reefs, home to an abundant array of marine life. When you choose Big Cat as your preferred Cairns Green Island day tour operator, there’s a range of activities you can participate in, including self-guided snorkelling, guided snorkel tours, glass bottom boat tours and semi-submersible tours. Beyond that, you have the chance to explore Green Island yourself on the rainforest boardwalks, which have cultural, historical and botanical interpretive signage. You can opt to include their buffet lunch as an optional extra to the tour price, or purchase it (additional cost) at the island’s bar and bistro.
Big Cat has 3 daily departures from Carins to Green Island and they use 2 different boats, which have different travelling times. The Big Cat Catamaran has a travel time of 1 hour and 15 minutes each way and provides the transfers for the full day tour with a 9am departure from Cairns (giving you 5 hours and 30 minutes at Green Island). The Big Cat Reef Rocket has a travel time of 45 minutes each way and provides the transfers for the full day tour with a 11am departure from Cairns (giving you 4 hours and 30 minutes at Green Island) and 2 half day tours with a 9am and 11am departure (both giving you 2 hours and 15 minutes at Green Island).
What We Love About This Tour. The flexibility in departure times makes this a very easy tour to fit into a busy itinerary, with departures at 9am, 11am and 1pm. Green Island itself is a beautiful Great Barrier Reef island. You can snorkel straight off the sandy beach to see a variety of hard and soft corals, starfish, clams and range of fish. You might even spot a turtle. Big Cat’s half day tours give you 2 hours and 15 minutes at Green Island, while the full day tours give you either 5.5 hours or 4.5 hours on the island, depending on which departure time you choose
We’ve been on all the tours we book. As a couple, as a family with a baby, then with a young child and now pre-teen. We’ve taken non-swimming friends and older relatives to the reef. So, we have first-hand experience and can help you make the right choice for your Cairns Reef Tour. Chat with us or send us an enquiry and we’ll get back to you.
Get In Touch Chat With UsBig Cat has a 2 tier pricing structure for their Cairns Green Island day tours. For those on a budget, you can opt to book transfers only, which covers the return trip from Cairns to Green Island with 3 departure times. 9am departure for a half or full day tour. 11am departure for the second full day tour option and then 1pm for a half day tour. The second price is for the half or full day tour, including return transfers and your choice of either snorkel hire or a glass bottom boat tour. There are also a range of optional extras, including guided snorkel experience (from the beach), snorkel safari (from a boat), semi-submersible tour and buffet lunch. Beyond that, you can explore Green Island’s boardwalks and check out Marineland Melanesia, home to the largest crocodile in captivity and several aquariums with anemonefish (yes – Nemo).
Green Island snorkeling caters to people of most ages and abilities. You can snorkel straight off the sandy beach, which gives you control over how deep you want to go and how far you want to swim. There are two main Green Island snorkelling sites – the beach adjacent to the jetty (and make sure you look under the jetty for lots of fish) and then the life guard patrolled beach, which is ‘just around the corner’ from the jetty. If you have your own snorkelling equipment, then you book the transfers only price and enjoy unlimited snorkelling during your time on the island. Alternatively, book the tour that includes snorkel hire and receive a mask, snorkel, fins and lycra sunsuit. Buoyancy devices are also available if needed.
Big Cat Green Island tours provides the option of 2 different snorkel tours, which are an extra cost to the tour price. The Snorkel Experience is great for those who are not confident at snorkelling. This 45 minute tour is from the beach, with a guide providing assistance on how to snorkel, before showing you the coral gardens. Minimum age to participate is 6 years old. This can be booked for half and full day tours. The 50 minute Snorkel Safari tour is for confident swimmers. A tender boat transfers you from Green Island to an offshore reef, for snorkelling with marine biologist commentary. This can be booked for those on a full day tour.
Big Cat’s Cairns Green Island day tours can include a 30 minute glass bottom boat tour in the half and full day tour options; with you having the choice between snorkel equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour. If you want to do both, then you can add it in as an optional extra (at extra cost) to your tour price. Glass bottom boat tours are a great way to see the reef and learn more about it, thanks to an informative commentary being provided during the tour. They also provide non-swimmers with the opportunity to see the reef, thanks to the glass windows.
The 30 minute semi submarine tours are an optional extra on Big Cat’s Cairns Green Island day tours and will put you front and centre, with the reef right outside your window. The semi submarine is fully air conditioned for your comfort and provide you with a diver’s view of the reef. It’s perfect for non-swimmers, families and those that want to learn more about the fish and corals they are seeing on their Cairns Green Island day tour. The semi submarine tours can be incorporated into a full or half day tour and Big Cat are the only operator to provide these tours at Green Island. Pre-book to save. Maximum 27 guests per tour.
Green Island is the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef to have rainforest. This provides shade on the island’s interior and you can explore this unique ecosystem, on self guided eco walks. There is interpretive signage located at strategic points along the 1.3km return walk, exploring the different plants and animals, cultural connections and the European history of Green Island. The walk is on a boardwalk and there are side paths taking you to some beaches.
Want to see the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity in the world – then check out Marineland Melanesia. This family owned and operated business has several saltwater crocodiles to see, a hawksbill sea turtle and aquariums, which are full of anemonefish. Marineland Melanesia is also home to Green Island’s coral nursery, where you can see corals being propagated. Marineland Melanesia is open between 9am and 4pm daily, with 2 wildlife presentations at 10.20am and 1.20pm. Your entry ticket provides you with access all day and they have a great gift shop too.
Big Cat runs 2 boats for their Cairns Green Island day tours. A large and comfortable catamaran, which provides a full day tour with up to 5.5 hours on Green Island. This boat departs Cairns at 9am and returns at 5pm. It stays at Green Island all day, and you can choose to add a buffet lunch on the boat, into your tour price. They also have a Reef Rocket which runs backwards and forwards between Cairns and Green Island during the day. The Reef Rocket provides 2 half day tours, with up to 2 hours and 15 minutes island time, departing Cairns at 9am (returning at 12.45pm) and 1pm (returning at 5pm). Reef Rocket also provides transfers for another Big Cat Cairns Green Island full day tour, departing Cairns at 11am and returning at 5pm, providing 4.5 hours at Green Island. There’s a 2 tier pricing structure, you can opt for transfers only, or transfers plus snorkeling gear or a glass bottom boat tour. You can choose to add in the extra activities, which are an additional cost to the tour price. You should take a towel, sunglasses, hat, change of clothes and sunblock for the day, as well as cash or credit cards to make any additional tour or food and beverage purchases.
Check in directly at the Big Cat Reef Rocket boat, which is moored at Cairns Marlin Marina. You can check in from 8.15am with final boarding at 8.45am.
Big Cat’s Reef Rocket departs Cairns and commences its 45 minute transfer to Green Island. There will be a reef presentation provided along the way and a snorkelling demonstration. Half day tour guests (who are not transfers only) have the choice of including snorkeling equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour. Details regarding these, are provided during the transfer.
Arrive at Green Island. If you have pre-booked a glass bottom boat tour, check the timing with the crew and make sure you are at the right place, at the right time. Otherwise, you have just over 2 hours to enjoy Green Island.
Island Time – During your time on Green Island, you are free to participate in unlimited snorkelling, relaxing on the beach and exploring the rainforest boardwalks. If you have opted to include the glass bottom boat tour, then this will be at the allocated time. You may also like to include a semi submarine tour (extra cost) or visit to Marineland Melanesia (extra cost).
Return to Big Cat’s Reef Rocket on Green Island jetty and prepare for the 12pm departure. You should ensure you are on the jetty no later than 11.45am. Your return to Cairns will take 45 minutes.
Arrive back into Cairns’ Marlin Marina.
Check in directly at the Big Cat Reef Rocket boat, which is moored at Cairns Marlin Marina. You can check in from 12.45pm with final boarding at 12.55pm.
Big Cat’s Reef Rocket departs Cairns and commences its 45 minute transfer to Green Island. There will be a reef presentation provided along the way and a snorkelling demonstration. Half day tour guests (who are not transfers only) have the choice of including snorkeling equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour. Details regarding these, are provided during the transfer.
Arrive at Green Island. If you have pre-booked a glass bottom boat tour, check the timing with the crew and make sure you are at the right place, at the right time. Otherwise, you have just over 2 hours to enjoy Green Island.
Island Time – During your time on Green Island, you are free to participate in unlimited snorkelling, relaxing on the beach and exploring the rainforest boardwalks. If you have opted to include the glass bottom boat tour, then this will be at the allocated time. You may also like to include a semi submarine tour (extra cost) or visit to Marineland Melanesia (extra cost).
Return to Big Cat’s Reef Rocket on Green Island jetty and prepare for the 4.15pm departure. You should ensure you are on the jetty no later than 4pm. Your return to Cairns will take 45 minutes.
Arrive back into Cairns’ Marlin Marina.
Check in directly at the Big Cat Catamaran, which is moored at Cairns Marlin Marina. You can check in from 8.15am with final boarding at 8.45am.
Big Cat’s Catamaran departs Cairns and commences its 1 hour and 15 minutes transfer to Green Island. There will be a reef presentation provided along the way and a snorkelling demonstration. Full day tour guests (who are not transfers only) have the choice of including snorkeling equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour. Details regarding these, are provided during the transfer.
Arrive at Green Island. If you have pre-booked a glass bottom boat tour, check the timing with the crew and make sure you are at the right place, at the right time. Otherwise, you have over 5 hours to enjoy Green Island.
Island Time – During your time on Green Island, you are free to participate in unlimited snorkelling, relaxing on the beach and exploring the rainforest boardwalks. If you have opted to include the glass bottom boat tour, then this will be at the allocated time. You may also like to include some optional extra activities in your day (extra cost to the tour price), which include a guided Snorkel Experience from the Beach, Snorkel Safari on offshore reefs, semi submarine tour or buffet lunch, provided on the Catamaran. You may also like to visit Marineland Melanesia on Green Island (extra cost), to see crocodiles, clownfish, a hawksbill turtle and more.
Return to the Big Cat Catamaran on Green Island jetty and prepare for the 3.45pm departure. You should ensure you are on the jetty no later than 3.30pm. Your return to Cairns will take 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Arrive back into Cairns’ Marlin Marina.
Check in directly at Big Cat’s Reef Rocket, which is moored at Cairns Marlin Marina. You can check in from 10.30am with final boarding at 10.50am.
Big Cat’s Reef Rocket departs Cairns and commences its 45 minute transfer to Green Island. There will be a reef presentation provided along the way and a snorkelling demonstration. Full day tour guests (who are not transfers only) have the choice of including snorkeling equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour. Details regarding these, are provided during the transfer.
Arrive at Green Island. If you have pre-booked a glass bottom boat tour, check the timing with the crew and make sure you are at the right place, at the right time. Otherwise, you have over 4 hours to enjoy Green Island.
Island Time – During your time on Green Island, you are free to participate in unlimited snorkelling, relaxing on the beach and exploring the rainforest boardwalks. If you have opted to include the glass bottom boat tour, then this will be at the allocated time. You may also like to include some optional extra activities in your day (extra cost to the tour price), which include a guided Snorkel Experience from the Beach, Snorkel Safari on offshore reefs, semi submarine tour or buffet lunch, which is served on the Big Catamaran, moored at the Green Island jetty. You may also like to visit Marineland Melanesia on Green Island (extra cost), to see crocodiles, clownfish, a hawksbill turtle and more.
Return to Big Cat’s Reef Rocket on Green Island jetty and prepare for the 4.15pm departure. You should ensure you are on the jetty no later than 4pm. Your return to Cairns will take 45 minutes.
Arrive back into Cairns’ Marlin Marina.
The Big Cat Cairns Green Island day tours have a 2 tier pricing structure. The cheapest rate is transfer only, which covers the return boat rides to and from Cairns to Green Island. The second rate – for half day tour or a full day tours – includes the boat transfer plus snorkeling equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour. There are some optional extras. For the half day tours there is the option of including a glass bottom boat tour (if you picked snorkel equipment hire as your inclusion) and/or a semi submarine tour. For the full day tours, optional extras include a glass bottom boat tour (if you picked snorkel equipment hire as your inclusion), a semi submarine tour, guided Snorkel Experience from the beach, Snorkel Safari on offshore reefs and a buffet lunch, served on the Big Cat Catamaran.
Yes – it is worth going to Green Island from Cairns. This lovely little island offers a diverse array of activities, from exploring the rainforest boardwalks, to snorkelling off the beach, relaxing on the sand and maybe opting in to some of the optional extra tours. Green Island is suitable for people of all ages. Travel time between Cairns and Green Island, when you choose Big Cat as your tour provider, will vary from 45 minutes each way (on their Reef Rocket) or 1 hour 15 minutes (on their Catamaran).
Green Island offers a mixture of free activities and optional extra tours, which are in addition to your tour price. The free activities on Green Island include snorkelling from the beach (if you have your own snorkelling equipment), relaxing on the beach and exploring the rainforest boardwalks. Optional extra tours and activities provided by Big Cat, include glass bottom boat tours, guided snorkel tours, semi submarine tours and a buffet lunch. You should also consider visiting Marineland Melanesia as a part of your Green Island time, this island attraction has saltwater crocodiles, clownfish, a hawksbill sea turtle and more.
The Big Cat Reef Rocket provides transfers to and from Cairns to Green Island, that take 45 minutes each way. The Big Cat Catamaran takes 1 hour 15 minutes each way, to travel between Cairns and Green Island.
Yes, you can snorkel at Green Island. The free snorkelling is right off the beach – read our snorkelling at Green Island review – for locations and ideas of what you might see. https://www.ilovecairns.com.au/green-island-snorkeling-review
Yes, you can scuba dive at Green Island – but not if you choose Big Cat as your tour provider. If you want to scuba dive at Green Island, then you can do this with Great Adventures or Ocean Free.
The Big Cat Cairns Green Island day tours provide you with some flexibility, regarding how long you can spend on Green Island. Their full day tour on the Catamaran provides you with 5.5 hours on the island, while their full day tour on Reef Rocket, provides you with 4.5 hours on the island. The half day tours give you just over 2 hours on the island. How long you should spend on Green Island is completely up to you. If you are short on time, then pick the half day option – but if you have extra time, then make the most of your trip and spend the whole day there.
Yes, the Big Cat Cairns Green Island day tour is suitable for non-swimmers. You can explore the jetty, rainforest boardwalk and beach walks. Take a glass bottom boat tour or semi submarine tour. Sit in the shallows and just relax in the sunshine. Non-swimmers will also enjoy a visit to Marineland Melanesia, entry to this attraction is an extra cost to the tour, but there is lots to see and do here including wildlife shows with a sea turtle and saltwater crocodiles and aquariums filled with anemonefish.
Yes, the Big Cat Cairns Green Island day tour is suitable for families, with children of all ages. Young children will enjoy the sandy beaches, and tours. Older children will enjoy snorkelling. The whole family can enjoy exploring the island’s boardwalks. There are always lots of families on Green Island.
The Big Cat Cairns Green Island buffet lunch is served on their catamaran, which is moored to the jetty all day. It is a hot and cold buffet lunch and includes a range of salads and breads, fresh prawns, curry and pasta and more. You can purchase beverages on the boat.
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