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The Frankland Islands reef day tour stands alone from all other Cairns reef tours, because it includes a rainforest river cruise, island experience and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Also, its start point is 44km from Cairns, at a small township called Deeral, and it has the shortest open water crossing of all reef tours. The Frankland Islands reef day tour has lots of inclusions, from the river cruise to the island transfer, semi submersible tours, unlimited snorkeling at Normanby Island (part of the Frankland Islands group) including guided snorkel tours, guided island walk and beachside buffet lunch. You will get to enjoy a minimum of 4 hours at Normanby Island on this tour, which is plenty of time to swim, snorkel, explore and relax on the secluded sandy beaches or enjoy self-guided SUP or kayak tours.
Cairns Frankland Islands reef tour. Rainforest river cruise, plus reef & island experience. Up to 4 hours island time. Includes guided snorkelling, island walk & semi sub.
Get a free underwater camera rental when you book tours departing Cairns through us valued at over $750, we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera to use for the duration of your tours. Numbers are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Get in touch with us to claim this deal today.
The Frankland Island Group is a part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and is around 10km offshore from the coast and 45km south east of Cairns. The group consists of 5 islands – Normanby, High, Mabel, Round and Russell – you visit Normanby Island on this island and reef day tour and have a minimum of 4 hours to relax and explore. This tour is promoted as being Cairns’ only river, rainforest and reef tour and it’s suitable for all ages. Day tour numbers are limited to 100 guests.
The Frankland Islands reef day tour provides excellent snorkelling, catering to a range of skills and experience levels. All snorkelling equipment and instruction is included in the day tour price. You can enjoy unlimited snorkelling straight from the beach of Normanby Island, part of the Frankland Islands Group. The fringing reef is home to giant clams and a wide array of marine life. Flotation devices and buoyancy vests are available if needed, and the crew can assist kids with snorkel sessions. If you want to learn more about what you are seeing while snorkelling, join one of the guided snorkel sessions conducted during the day. One is from the beach, while the adventure snorkel safari is further offshore, on the island’s western reef. The guided snorkel tours are included in the tour price.
Frankland Islands reef day tour offers guests the option to try scuba diving for the first time, on an introductory scuba dive. There is no prior experience necessary, but you must be aged 12 years old or more. The maximum dive depth on an introductory dive is 12m and dive time is usually around 20-30 minutes. Availability for introductory dives is limited to just 6 spaces per each day tour, so pre-booking is highly recommended. The introductory scuba dive is in addition to the tour price, but includes all equipment, instruction and your dive guide.
Please note certain health conditions can prevent you from trying scuba diving, this includes but is not limited to: asthma, epilepsy, chronic sinus conditions and ear problems, heart disease and sugar diabetes. It is not advised to try scuba diving if you are pregnant.
The semi submersible tours on the Frankland Islands reef day tour last 30 minutes and are conducted on an air conditioned vessel, with large windows providing panoramic views of the marine seascape in front of you. These tours are guided, providing commentary on the Great Barrier Reef environment and covering key points of interest, and fish, you may see during the tour. Semi submersible tours are a great way to learn more about the reef and are accessible to most people, including non-swimmers.
The Frankland Islands semi submersible tour is included in the day tour price. You do not need to pre-book them.
Join one of the crew’s marine biologists for a guided island walk around Normanby Island. This is included in the tour price and is a must-do part of the day. The island itself has distinct vegetation types, ranging from mangroves to rainforest and woodlands. On the guided island walk, you will explore these differing terrains and learn more about the plants and animals that live on Normanby Island, including a little look and see at some tidal rock pools. This is a hands on learning experience, with something for people of all ages.
The Frankland Islands reef day tour provides great value for money with lots inclusions, including a 6km Mulgrave River cruise where you might spot saltwater crocodiles, an array of birdlife and the complex mangrove system. This tour provides you with a minimum of 4 hours at Normanby Island, with unlimited snorkelling, guided snorkel tours, guided island walk, and semi submersible tours. Day tour numbers are limited to 100 guests. Coach transfers commence in the Cairns CBD from 6.55am, or you can self-drive to Deeral for a 8.15am check-in. The tour departs Deeral at 8.30am and returns to Deeral around 4pm. Morning and afternoon tea are provided, as is a cold buffet beach lunch. 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 food and beverage purchases.
Coach transfers commence pick-ups from the Cairns CBD accommodation. Transfers are included in the tour price. Alternatively, you can choose to self-drive to Deeral. This drive takes approximately 45 minutes. There is plenty of free parking.
Check in and boarding is at the Frankland Islands reef day tour boat, Turtle Islander, which is moored at the Frankland Islands and Reef Cruise Jetty, which is located at 169 Ross Road, Deeral. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided on the boat.
The Frankland Islands reef day tour departs Deeral and commences its 6km Mulgrave River cruise. During this time the crew will issue you with any relevant dive and snorkel paperwork. You can relax and enjoy the views on this rainforest river. Keep your eyes peeled for saltwater crocodiles and local birdlife. Once you reach the river mouth, it’s a 10km crossing to Normanby Island and the Frankland Islands Group.
Arrive at Normanby Island. Reef and island activities commence. You can enjoy unlimited snorkelling from the beach at Normanby Island, or join one of the guided snorkel tours, that are included in your tour price. Other island and reef activities include the semi submersible tours, which last 30 minutes and are timed to maximise conditions, pending tide – also the guided island walks, also timed to maximise access and experience, pending tides. Times are advised on the day of travel.
Timing for the introductory scuba diving – optional extra activity – are advised to participants on the day.
Enjoy a beachside buffet for lunch, which is presented under the shady trees on Normanby Island, providing epic views. The menu does change from time to time, but the constants are a selection of breads and tropical fruits, salads, cold chicken and deli meats, chilled prawns and a range of cakes.
All guests return to Frankland Island reef day tours Turtle Islander boat. The crew conduct a headcount. Once everyone is accounted for, Turtle Islander commences its return journey to Deeral. Afternoon tea is served on the boat. Additional beverages and snacks can be purchased on the boat, at additional cost to you. *Please note exact times will vary pending tides and access to the Mulgrave River mouth. Any guests impacted by changing times, will be contacted by Frankland Island reef day tours prior to your day of travel.*
The Frankland Islands reef day tour returns to Deeral. Those with coach transfers board the bus, for their return journey to Cairns. Self-drivers can continue their day.
The Frankland Islands reef day tour coach transfers commence drop-offs at various Cairns accommodation properties.
The Frankland Islands reef day tour has lots of inclusions.
The Frankland Islands reef day tour goes to Normanby Island, part of the Frankland Island Group, which is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It’s around 10km offshore and 45km southeast of Cairns. The tour departs to and from Deeral and return coach transfers from Cairns to Deeral are provided and included in the tour price. You can also choose to self drive. The Frankland Islands reef day tour has the shortest open water crossing of any reef tour operating in the area.
The snorkelling off Normanby Island is excellent. The clear water is home to a diverse array of hard and soft corals. There are lots of colourful giant clams and an abundance of Great Barrier Reef fish, including butterflyfish and angelfish, chromis and wrasse, trout, trevally and more. You snorkel directly off the beach, so water access is nice and easy. All snorkelling equipment is provided and included in the Frankland Islands reef day tour price, as is the option to join 1 of 2 guided snorkel tours. Flotation devices and buoyancy vests are available if needed.
Yes, the Frankland Islands reef day tour does provide the opportunity to try an introductory dive (no previous experience necessary). There are no certified diving opportunities on this trip. The maximum dive depth will be 10m and dive time will be around 20-30 minutes. Those wanting to try an introductory dive must be aged 12 years old or more. This activity is in addition to the tour price, but includes all equipment, instruction and your dive guide. Some health conditions will preclude you from diving, such as asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions, sinus and ear infections and more. Scuba diving while pregnant is not recommended.
Introductory divers can do 1 dive, on the Frankland Islands reef day tour.
The scuba diving conditions are suitable for introductory divers. The waters surrounding Normanby Island are relatively protected, so there are (usually) minimal waves and/or currents. The coral gardens are not deep and are home to an abundant array of marine life. You will see lots of Great Barrier Reef fish, during your introduction to scuba diving on the Frankland Islands reef day tour.
Yes, we think the Frankland Islands reef day tour is suitable for non-swimmers. All activities are conducted from the beach at Normanby Island. Non-swimmers can enjoy the following activities:
No, there is no glass bottom boat ride included in the Frankland Islands reef day tour – however, there is a semi submersible tour, which is provided and included in the tour price.
Yes, we think the Frankland Islands reef day tour is suitable for kids. All snorkelling is from the beach, so families and children can swim / snorkel to their limitations. Flotation devices and buoyancy vests are provided and included. Kids can build sandcastles on the beach and join in the semi submersible tours. They will enjoy the guided island walk and if they are aged over 12 years old, they can try an introductory dive.
Yes, the Frankland Islands reef day tour is family friendly – the crew are attentive and helpful to all members of the family.
Lunch on the Frankland Islands reef day tour is excellent and is all about location, location, location. The crew spread out the buffet under the shade of some trees and you can enjoy the beachfront views, while eating lunch. Lunch itself is a cold buffet with a range of breads and salads, tropical fruits, chilled prawns, chicken and deli meats and a selection of cakes. Morning and afternoon tea is provided and included. Additional drinks (soft drinks etc) can be purchased on the boat, at additional cost.
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