Combining time at Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef, this full day tour packs a punch with a lot of inclusions. Departing to and from Cairns, you get to spend 2 hours at Green Island in the morning, before heading out to Great Adventure’s Great Barrier Reef pontoon, for 3 hours reef time. The tour includes a range of activities including snorkelling at Green Island and the Reef, with all equipment needed and provided, semi submersible tours at the Reef, an underwater observatory, reef presentation and fish feeding, morning and afternoon tea, and hot and cold buffet lunch. Transfers are on a comfortable air conditioned catamaran, with daily departures from Cairns’ Marlin Marina.
In addition to the inclusions, there’s the optional extras of scuba diving – both certified and introductory diving (no experience necessary), scenic helicopter flights, Scuba Doo underwater scooter and a guided snorkel tour.
What We Love About This Tour. This tour is perfect for people of all ages and abilities, including infants, young children, older passengers and non-swimmers. At Green Island, you can snorkel off the beach and explore the rainforest boardwalks. At the Great Barrier Reef pontoon, you can enjoy unlimited snorkelling, visit the underwater observatory, take a semi-submersible tour and see the reef presentation and fish feeding. Scuba diving is at the pontoon. Prams can be accommodated on the boat. It’s a family friendly tour. Read Our Great Adventures Trip Review.
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 UsThis is an action packed full day Cairns reef tour. It includes 2 hours free time on Green Island, where you can swim, snorkel, explore or just relax on the beach. Make the time to visit the island’s Marineland Melanesia, which is home to the world’s largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, a hawksbill sea turtle and Australia’s oldest operating aquariums, with a range of clownfish (Nemo). Then 3 hours at their Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon with unlimited snorkelling, lots of activities and some optional extras.
You can snorkel from the beach at Green Island and from the Outer Reef pontoon. When snorkelling from the beach, you are in control of how deep you want to go and there’s the opportunity to see starfish, angelfish, parrotfish and clams. Sometimes people also see sea turtles when snorkelling around Green Island. All equipment is provided and included and should be picked up from the Dive Centre on Green Island (and returned prior to getting back on the boat). You can also snorkel on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, from the pontoon. Water entry is via a submerged platform with bench-seating, enabling you to put on your mask, snorkel and fins comfortably. The reef is a short swim from the pontoon and you will see hard and soft corals and a large array of colourful fish and marine life. There is a lifeguard monitoring the snorkel area adjacent to the pontoon and there are also flotation devices and buoyancy vests available, if you need them. All snorkeling equipment can be collected – and returned – to the snorkel station on the pontoon.
There is also the option to book a guided snorkel tour at the outer reef pontoon. This is in addition to the tour price.
Great Adventures also provides the opportunity to try an Introductory Dive. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old. No prior experience necessary. All introductory dives are guided by professional dive crew and the cost (which is in addition to the tour price), includes your dive equipment, instruction and guide. Introductory dives generally last around 20-30 minutes and do not go deeper than 12m. Introductory dive spaces are limited, so it’s best to pre-book this to avoid disappointment.
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.
If you are a certified scuba diver, then you have the option to book 1 scuba dive on the Great Adventures – Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Adventure tour. The dive will be guided and is undertaken from their outer reef pontoon. Boat diving may sometimes be available, on a tender from the pontoon, but it depends on conditions on the day of travel and other divers. Scuba diving is in addition to the tour price, but the cost includes the dive gear, your dive guide and dive briefings. The scuba dive will last around 40 minutes and dive depth varies, but is generally no deeper than 18m, making it suitable for those with Open Water certification and above. Water entry is down a set of stairs from the pontoon, which takes you waist deep and you descend from there.
You will be required to show evidence of your certification to the Dive Crew. You are also required to complete a safety waiver, prior to dive (and snorkel) activities.
Semi submersible tours operate at scheduled times throughout the day, from the Great Adventures pontoon. The exact time for tours is marked on a sign for your easy reference. The semi submersible is moored to the pontoon and access to and from, is via a walkway. The interior of the semi submersible is air conditioned and there is bench style seating, with windows on both sides of the semi submersible. There is a guide during the tour, who will point out items of interest and provide information on the Great Barrier Reef, its corals and marine life.
The semi submersible tours are included in your Great Adventures – Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Adventure tour. You do not need to pre-book the tours and are not limited to doing just one during the day. These tours provide a great way for non-swimmers of all ages, to see the reef that surrounds the pontoon.
A 10 minute scenic helicopter flight provides a unique perspective of the Great Barrier Reef. These flights are not operated by Great Adventures, but by Nautilus Aviation, a respected Cairns aviation company. They run from a reef platform, which is adjacent to the outer reef pontoon. The price for the scenic helicopter flight is in addition to the tour price, and includes tender transfers, to and from the pontoon to the helicopter platform.
They require a minimum of 2 passengers to operate the scenic helicopter flights.
The underwater observatory provides the opportunity to admire the reef and its many fish, while staying dry. The observatory is located on the pontoon and you are welcome to visit it, at any time during your Great Adventures day tour. To enhance your understanding of the reef and identification of the fish you are seeing, there is a range of interpretive posters inside the underwater observatory. Great Adventures also provide a Marine Naturalist Eco Reef Talk in the observatory, which is included in the tour price.
Scuba Doo is a unique underwater scooter experience – think helmet diving, but on a scooter – on the Great Barrier Reef. Again, this is not operated by Great Adventures, but is run from their outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon. The minimum age to participate in Scuba Doo is 12 years old.
The Great Adventures – Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Adventure tour departs Cairns every day. Boarding commences from 8am at the catamaran, which is moored at Cairns’ Marlin Marina. Prior to boarding, make sure you collect your tickets from the Great Adventures desk, located inside the Reef Fleet Terminal. The boat departs Cairns at 8.30am and returns at 5.30pm. Snorkelling equipment, morning and afternoon tea and a hot and cold buffet lunch is provided and included in 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 beverage purchases. Tea, coffee and cold water is supplied and included.
Check in at the Great Adventures Desk, inside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
Depart Cairns for Green Island. During the 45 minute transfer, you will complete any necessary snorkelling and/or scuba diving paperwork and be advised of the timing of these activities. You will also be provided with a schedule for the day and map of Green Island and the Outer Reef Pontoon.
Arrive at Green Island. You have 2 hours to explore, swim, snorkel or relax. If you are snorkelling, your equipment can be collected from the island’s Dive Centre, and must be returned prior to leaving the island.
Be at the Green Island jetty, ready to board the catamaran and continue your trip on to Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef. Certified and introductory divers will complete briefings with the dive crew, on the way to the reef pontoon.
Arrive at the Great Adventures’ Reef Pontoon. Reef and pontoon activities commence, including snorkelling and the semi-submersible tours. If you have booked scuba diving, Scuba Doo or the scenic helicopter flight, times will be advised for these activities
A hot and cold buffet lunch is served on the pontoon from 1pm-2.30pm. Chairs and tables are located on the pontoon, and you can choose to sit in the shade or on the sundeck. Drinks are available to purchase on the boat, which is moored to the pontoon for the duration of your time here.
The boat will blast its horn, which is a sign for all of the guests to return to the catamaran.
When all guests are aboard, a passenger headcount is completed and then the boat commences its return to Cairns, with a stopover at Green Island on the way, to collect island guests. Afternoon tea is served, which is a selection of cakes, cheese and crackers.
Arrive back into Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.
2 hours at Green Island. Where you can explore the rainforest boardwalks, snorkel from the beach, relax on the beach, swim in the island’s resort swimming pool or check-out of the gift shops. 3 hours at the Great Barrier Reef pontoon. Unlimited snorkelling, semi submersible tours and visit the underwater observatory. Options to do scuba diving, scenic heli flights and a guided snorkel tour, which are an additional cost to the tour.
Tricky question. Green Island is a day tour destination in its own right, and also has a luxury resort where people come to stay and relax. That being said, if you want to experience the Great Barrier Reef – plus visit Green Island – and I really think you should do that – then yes, 2 hours is enough time in conjunction with this tour. We snorkelled, walked and relaxed and did not feel rushed.
If you have the time and budget, then it’s worth doing two separate tours, as the island experience is different to the reef pontoon and Outer Great Barrier Reef. That being said, if time is short and you want to tick a lot off your list, then yes – this tour does provide sufficient time to see Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s particularly good for families with infants and young children and/or people who can’t swim but still want to experience the Great Barrier Reef.
The snorkeling at Green Island is off the beach. So you can decide how deep in the water you want to go. Green Island is surrounded by fringing reef and sea grass beds. There are two snorkel sites on Green Island, one is adjacent to the jetty and takes in the coral gardens right there. The other is ‘around the corner’ and has life guards in attendance. We have snorkelled at Green Island lots of times – you can check our reviews and pics.
The snorkelling from the pontoon is excellent. The reef is a short swim from the pontoon and the coral gardens rise up to within a few meters of the water’s surface. Lots of fish in the first few meters of water too, so you really feel like you are in an aquarium. If you are not confident in the open water, there are buoyancy vests and flotation devices available for your use. You can also choose to book a guided snorkel tour, where you will learn more about the fish and marine life you are seeing.
If you are an experienced scuba diver and your fellow travelers are confident swimmers, then we’d probably suggest you choose a dedicated dive / snorkel trip, rather than a reef and island trip. However, if you group is a mix of swimmers and non-swimmers, then this tour offers the best of both worlds for the whole crew – in which case, yes – definitely book the diving on the Great Adventures, Green Island and Great Barrier Reef adventure tour.
Yes – this tour provides non-swimmers with lots of ways to experience and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. See it from above, from the Green Island jetty. Sit in its waters at the Green Island beach and/or on the lowered steps at the Outer Reef pontoon. Admire it from behind glass on a semi submersible tour or on a visit to the underwater observatory. You can even enjoy a scenic heli flight over it – this is an additional cost the tour price.
Yes – this tour is suitable for families and little kids. Prams can be taken on the catamaran and Green Island. There are lots of ways for little kids to enjoy the day, splashing in the shallows from the beach at Green Island, visiting the underwater observatory and taking a semi submersible tour.
No, the Great Adventures pontoon does not have a glass bottom boat, but it does have a semi submersible.
Lunch on the Great Adventures, Green Island and Great Barrier Reef adventure tour is good. It’s a hot and cold buffet, which is served on the outer reef pontoon. It includes breads and a selection of salads and deli meats, chilled prawns and cold chicken and a range of hot dishes, which usually include a curry and a stir fry vegetarian dish.
If you have any question regarding this tour, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can help you find the perfect tour for you, we understand it can be overwhelming trying to decide. Our advice and booking service is free.
If you can’t decide between a Cairns reef or island day tour – no problem – do them both in one action packed day with Great Adventures. This full day itinerary includes 2 hours at Green Island and 3 hours at the Outer Great Barrier Reef, with buffet lunch and semi-submersible tours. It ticks all the boxes. Cruise. Snorkel. Dive. Explore.
MoreWhen your crew is a combination of scuba divers and snorkelers, and you want the best Great Barrier Reef experience possible, an outer reef pontoon is the answer for you. Sunlover’s Moore Reef tour packs a good value punch, with diving, snorkeling, sliding and so much more. Great reef location. Lots of inclusions. Lets go!
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