Green Island Tours and Activities
131 Reviews
Marooned off the coast of Cairns in north Queensland, Green Island is a tropical paradise of lush rainforest, white sandy beaches, and crystalline waters. The idyllic island is part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and harbors an extraordinary variety of coral reefs, exotic fish, and marine life.
The Basics
As one of the most easily accessible islands in the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island is a popular choice for day-trippers from nearby Cairns. The Green Island resort offers everything you need to explore the island’s underwater wonders, whether you fly in by seaplane or sail out across the reef. As well as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and seawalker helmet tours, there are island reef cruises, glass-bottom boat tours, and semi-submarine excursions, the latter of which offer the chance to peek under the ocean without having to dive in.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Temperatures can reach upwards of 86°F (30°C) in summer, so pack sunscreen and a hat, as well as a swimsuit and towel.
- Follow the rules to avoid damaging the coral or disturbing The Great Barrier Reef, a protected conservation area.
- Facilities at the Green Island Resort include showers, changing rooms, lockers, a bar and restaurant, and free WiFi.
- The Green Island Resort has wheelchair access, but not all activities are fully accessible to those with limited mobility.
How to Get There
Located around 16.5 miles (27 kilometers) from the mainland, the coral cay of Green Island is only accessible by boat or air. Most visitors travel to Green Island from Cairns, about a 45-minute cruise by schooner, catamaran, or charter boat. The quickest way to arrive on the island is by helicopter or seaplane, while passenger ferries set sail from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns.
When to Get There
The most popular time to visit the Green Island National Park is during the dry season (April to September), when the weather is cooler and less humid, while in wet season (October to March) visitors can expect temperatures to average 86°F (30°C). It’s possible to visit year-round, but note that the island is occasionally inaccessible due to high winds or cyclonic activity.
The Underwater World of Green Island
Green Island’s platform reef offers more than 1,854 acres (710 hectares) of coral reef to explore. Its rainbow of corals include staghorn, plate, boulder, and mushroom corals. Look out for green and hawksbill sea turtles, dugong, giant clams, and sea urchins, as well as a spectacular variety of exotic fish, crabs, and starfish.
Address: Green Island National Park, Green Island, Queensland 4871, Australia
10 Tours and Activities to Experience Green Island
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Green Island Day Trip from Cairns
602
Explore the Great Barrier Reef and a lush island rain forest on this full-day catamaran tour to Green Island from Cairns. Create your own perfect day on this protected coral cay with a variety of activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, Seawalking, nature walks, and tours on a glass-bottom boat. Upgrade to include a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran and/or a ride in a semi-submarine. It’s a fantastic way to discover the underwater wonders of the world’s most famous reef!
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From
$86.04
From
$86.04
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from Cairns - only 25 guests
173
Sail on a 2-masted schooner from Cairns to Green Island for a full day of snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Have a choice of options for exploring Green Island, spending time in the water around the magnificent coral reefs, walking in the rain forest, or lazing on the white sandy beaches. Enjoy the expertise of the superb crew, in addition to buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and a glass of wine as you cruise back to Cairns.
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From
$168.52
From
$168.52
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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3-Day Green Island Great Barrier Reef Package from Cairns
7
Enjoy a tranquil getaway at the luxurious Green Island Resort, located in the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef marine park. Spend a day cruising around the Outer reefs, snorkelling amid schools of tropical fish and enjoying thrilling underwater views on a semi-sub cruise. Back on the island, take a hike through the rainforest or try water sports like kayaking or windsurfing, then sip a complimentary cocktail as you watch the sunset. This 3-day tour from Cairns includes accommodation, some meals and round-trip transfers by catamaran.
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From
$738.03
From
$738.03
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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Fly to Green Island - Cruise Return
1
Departing Cairns, enjoy a scenic helicopter flight to Green Island - a beautiful 6,000-year-old coral cay located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. With its reef and rainforest environment enjoy a half day or full day in nature's lover paradise before returning to Cairns via catamaran.
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From
$403.21
From
$403.21
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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30-Minute Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flight from Cairns
43
Enjoy incredible views of the Great Barrier Reef from the air during a 30-minute scenic flight from Cairns. See highlights such as Green Island, Upolu Cay, Oyster Reef, Arlington Reef, Vlassof Reef and Michaelmas Reef, taking in the sights as your guide points out the landmarks below. You also fly over Cape Grafton, False Cape, Double Island and Palm Cove and other Northern Beaches, with the route changing depending on the day’s conditions. Everyone has a window seat, allowing unobstructed viewing of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonder.
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From
$157.08
From
$157.08
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Reef and Rainforest Tandem Sky Dive in Cairns
34
Get your adrenaline pumping on a skydiving adventure from Cairns. Enjoy incredible bird’s-eye views of the World Heritage–listed Great Barrier Reef as you jump out of a plane on a tandem skydive with an experienced diver. Fall freely from 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) in the air before floating by parachute back down to the ground. First-timers are welcome.
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From
$284.16
From
$284.16
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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2-Day Green Island Cruise and Kuranda Day Trip
1
Combine snorkeling on Australia's Great Barrier Reef with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountain village of Kuranda. This 2-day combination trip allows you to do both, and includes pickup and drop-off in Cairns. Please note: Overnight accommodation not included.
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From
$315.20
From
$315.20

Ultimate Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest 45-minute Helicopter Tour
8
Enjoy the best of both worlds on this exhilarating 45-minute helicopter flight, crossing both land and sea. Swoop over the lush rainforest and thundering waterfalls of the Barron Gorge, then admire the vast reefs and aquamarine waters of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef. Spot landmarks like Stoney Creek Falls, Green Island and Arlington Reef, and snap aerial photos of the Northern Beaches and Palm Cove. This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off from Cairns.
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From
$399.21
From
$399.21
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Great Barrier Reef 30-Minute Scenic Helicopter Tour from Cairns
5
Enjoy unforgettable views of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as you fly over the UNESCO-listed natural wonder in a helicopter. Experience the magnitude of the vast reef as you float overhead on a 25-minute flight, spotting landmarks like Green Island and Upolo Cay and swooping low enough to see coral clusters and schools of tropical fish and rays. This tour includes pick-up from Cairns and Northern Beaches hotels.
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From
$319.21
From
$319.21
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Cairns Full-Day Tour with ATV Ride and Afternoon Reef
28
Take part in two popular activities in one day on this ATV adventure paired with a Great Barrier Reef excursion. On the ATV tour, you'll venture into the rainforest to explore the lush landscape. On Green Island—a Marine National Park—enjoy snorkeling or cruising on a glass-bottomed boat. All the equipment you need is provided.
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From
$217.60
From
$217.60
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