How To Reach Reef Islands
There are a number of ways to make your way to the Reef Islands from Cairns, be it by passenger ferry, fast catamaran, boat or helicopter transfer, or even a scenic flight. The mode of transport you opt for will hinge on if you are after a brief island getaway, an outer reef tour or something more protracted on a far-flung island.
For the majority of visitors, Green Island and Fitzroy Island present the most straightforward options for a Cairns island tour. Regular return transfers put them within easy reach, making them ideal for planning your tropical island getaway, with ample opportunity to have a swim or do some snorkelling and put in a few miles on foot and have lunch before making your way back to the mainland.
My name is Ruby Donovan and I would put it this way: pick your island and then see how you will get there. That is my best counsel. One can book a boat on account of its price only to find oneself crammed in with the rest like sardines for a voyage that is not to one’s liking.
Cairns is where most Queensland trips to the Great Barrier Reef commence. Given the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is some 344,400 square kilometres, “the reef” is a relative term depending on where you are headed. For the official word on the park, conservation matters and how a visitor should conduct himself, look to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Choose An Island From Cairns
You cannot treat the Great Barrier Reef islands in the vicinity of Cairns as one and the same. There is the coral cay of Green Island with its resort amenities and easy access; then you have Fitzroy Island, a rainforest island with a wider natural appeal and more walking.
A day trip from Cairns is not the order of the day for Lizard, Orpheus or Bedarra Island. Those call for premium arrangements, a private transfer or at the very least an overnight.
| Island / Experience | Typical Access | Travel Time (approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Island | Fast catamaran or passenger ferry | Some 45 minutes either side | An untroubled day of swimming and snorkelling |
| Fitzroy Island | Passenger ferry or fast catamaran | In the region of 45 to 60 minutes each way | Beaches, rainforest walks and a more active outing |
| Outer reef pontoons | Reef tour boat | 90 minutes plus | Diving and snorkelling off the mainland |
| Lizard Island | Scenic flight or a private boat | An hour in the air or several hours by sea | Premium travel and remote diving |
Match The Island To You
If you want to keep things simple, Green Island is for you. It makes sense for the family, older travellers and those who would prefer to be in the water to any steep track in the tropical humidity.
Fitzroy Island has more to offer in the way of movement. But do not be fooled by the timetable into thinking it will be easy; the heat and slippery ground on uneven tracks can make the day more of an undertaking. Head to Nudey Beach for a swim and time in the rainforest.
The Green Island Ferry
Head to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, not far from the Esplanade and city centre, to catch the ferry to Green Island. Expect the crossing to be around 45 minutes, though the wind and swell may alter your timing on the day.
Great Adventures and others will have return transfers on sale at various times of the day. Some come with glass-bottom boat viewing or the odd reef activity, but a plain transfer is just that. Read the fine print as “reef trip” is used for everything from an island hop to a full package.
Plan The Day On Green Island
Be at the terminal in good time for check-in, especially over a busy weekend or school holidays. With a suitcase and beach bag in tow, a taxi or rideshare is less of a hassle than hunting for a kerbside spot in central Cairns.
Once on Green Island the jetty is not far from the visitor facilities. Have a go at snorkelling from the beach or put in for a guided activity. Do not let a patch of water by the jetty set your opinion of the whole of the Great Barrier Reef, visibility being what it is with the tide and weather.
Making It To Fitzroy Island
Again you will find the ferry to Fitzroy Island putting out of the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. Sea conditions and the vessel will have their say on the journey which is normally between 45 and 60 minutes. A rainforest, granite outcrops and walking tracks are all to be found on Fitzroy Island; one need only note that it is an ex-continental island and not a run of the mill coral cay to understand why. There is more room to move about here than on Green Island but you will have to put in some physical effort for it in the form of hills and open paths.
Fitzroy’s Conditions
Make sure to have a dry bag for your valuables as well as water, sun protection and good shoes. The tropical heat has a way of turning a moderate walk into something of an argument with the sun, and the tracks get slick when it has been raining.
For the traveller after a bit of land exploration in addition to the beach, Fitzroy Island is hard to beat. Those with any mobility issues would do well to check on access before committing, otherwise the island is not so well suited. Put in a call to the operator to enquire as to boarding assistance and island access before you part with your money.
Going Past The Island Reef
Those in Cairns wanting to make their way to the Great Barrier Reef are often in search of an outer reef experience, not an island stop. A dedicated reef tour with a boat to a pontoon or site is the way to go, don’t just take the first ferry to an island.
Cairns reef tours and trips to the outer reef are put on by Sunlover among others. Their boats will put more distance between you and the shore than an island ferry and can include everything from semi-submersible viewing to certified or introductory diving. Have a good look at the itinerary, travel time will eat up much of the day.
Boat Versus Air
The sensible option is generally a fast catamaran. You get a decent crossing of the Coral Sea without being as slow as a sightseeing vessel. Should you be susceptible to seasickness, find a spot outside or in the centre of the craft and keep your eyes on the horizon; take any medication once you have ascertained it is right for you.
Then there is the helicopter or scenic flight which will put less time on the boat and provide a new vantage point, if not at a higher cost and with restrictions on luggage and the weather. From up high the reef patterns are plain to see on a scenic flight but it is no substitute for being in the water if you intend to snorkel.
Some reef tours leave from Port Douglas but it is not necessarily superior to Cairns. The latter has a better array of ferries, transport links and city accommodation. Port Douglas might be convenient for those put up north of Cairns. Look at the inclusions, the drive and how long the boat ride is instead of accepting at face value that one town is the best.
Sea Travel Takes Time
How far it is to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns is very much a function of where you are headed. Outer reef sites are well offshore, while Fitzroy Island is some 29 kilometres out and Green Island about 27. But the map distance is not what counts so much as the vessel, the route and the state of the sea.
Even if the crossing is under an hour, put aside a full day for a trip to either Green or Fitzroy Island. Factor in the return, loading, check-in, a change of clothes and a meal, and perhaps a delay due to the weather or a passenger who cannot find his flipper.
Weather
Unsettled seas and humidity are part and parcel of the wet season. Between November and April one must pay heed to cyclone alerts in northern Queensland; operators will not hesitate to alter departure times or cancel if they deem conditions unsafe. In the dry season things are more predictable though it is also busier. If you have a flight to make, leave the day following your reef excursion open and book your return early; a tight connection at the airport and a late boat do not mix.
Inclusions And Cost
Prices will be different according to the season, the operator and what is included. Do not assume a basic return transfer is going to be as expensive as a package with a scenic flight or guided snorkelling and meals, but verify the fare with the operator first. Set aside funds for a wetsuit, locker, parking and food on top of getting to the terminal. For Lizard, Orpheus or Bedarra Island the accommodation bill will be much higher than a hotel in Cairns given the limited rooms and the cost of transfers and meals.
Read The Inclusions
And read what is covered in the advertised fare. Some will put a low price on the table for the headline and then tack on the activities you would have thought were part of the deal, like stinger suits, insurance, lunch and the marine park fees.
Do not overlook the cancellation policy either. An operator on the island will treat a weather cancellation in a different light to a simple change of heart and could insist you are on hand for any re-scheduled departures. It is also wise to have an offline copy of your booking confirmation should reception be poor at the terminal.
The Right Day Trip
What makes for a good Cairns island tour is a matter of budget, what you put energy into and why you are there. You could have a sedate day on the beach or a strenuous snorkelling outing, or even put in an overnight on a remote island; they are as much like one another as holidays can be but are very different in practice.
An experienced guide or operator will be monitoring conditions since wind, swell and visibility are all part of the equation. Should the forecast be anything but pleasant, do not put stock in your original plan if it means an uncomfortable time; enquire as to whether a pontoon on the outer reef or a trip to Green or Fitzroy Island would be preferable.
A Quick Checklist
- For facilities and an easier island day, go with Green Island.
- Fitzroy Island is the choice for some walking and rainforest.
- If you want to concentrate on diving or snorkelling, an outer reef tour is in order.
- Time is short and the budget allows? Take a helicopter or scenic flight.
- Before you pay, see what the departure times are and how return transfers and sea conditions are.
Dealing With Conditions
Put on a swimsuit under something light, take a hat with a strap that will not come off and apply sun protection in keeping with the operator’s rules and safe for the reef. A reusable water bottle is a good idea. Do not be tempted to touch coral or feed the wildlife; a few seconds of damage can leave it stung or cut and years to put right.
There is no guarantee of calm water when you visit an island, though many make that assumption. The ferry ride might be bumpy while the beach is sheltered, or after a rain the sea will be fine but visibility not so good. Be flexible in your expectations and you will find the trip more enjoyable.
Your Cairns Island Escape
You begin to put together a tropical getaway by asking yourself: is the aim to get to an island or to the outer reef? That will dictate your boat, your budget and how much motion you can stand.
One day only? Then the logistics of Green Island are hard to beat, or Fitzroy Island if you value the rainforest and walking as much as the swimming. For the serious snorkeller, put aside the flashiest vessel and compare the time you will have in the water on an outer reef tour versus an island one.
- Select your destination and its access requirements.
- See what is included and the rules on cancellation before handing over the cash.
- Make sure you have a full day and are prepared for both sun and rain, with some leeway in your return travel.
An overnight is another matter. Lizard, Orpheus and Bedarra Island will appeal to those wanting privacy and extended reef time, but they are not to be tacked on as an afterthought to a day in Cairns. Before you book, look into the transfer arrangements and what luggage you can take.
FAQs
Travellers are apt to be confused by the array of ferries, reef tours and accommodation in Cairns. The answers below are straightforward but put it to the operator for up to date costs and times.
Getting to the Reef
A passenger ferry from Cairns will take you to Green or Fitzroy Island, or you can arrange an outer reef tour at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. Weather and the operator’s schedule permitting, there are helicopter and scenic flights to certain places.
Day Trips
Green and Fitzroy are the most accessible of the Great Barrier Reef islands for a day out from Cairns. One offers untroubled access, the other a more active itinerary with walks in the rainforest.
Costs
You will not find a set fare. What you pay is a function of the season, the vessel, inclusions and which island. Look at the total for marine park fees, meals, equipment and the return transfer, not just the figure in bold.
Port Douglas or Cairns?
It is not a case of one being superior. Cairns has more to way of ferries and trips, Port Douglas is handy if you are put up there. Pick the point of departure that fits the reef itinerary and does not involve too much ground travel.
Snorkelling for the uninitiated
Many guided activities are open to beginners provided you hearken to the safety talk and let the crew know if you are not used to it. Put on the flotation gear on offer. Those with medical issues are well advised to get professional opinion first.
Make the Most of the Boat
Reaching the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns is not about a perfect boat but a trip that suits your comfort and time. Green Island is uncomplicated, Fitzroy has the rainforest, the outer reef is where you go to dive.
Budget for the little things and give the weather a chance to change. Follow the timetable and your excursion will be well in hand instead of a scramble to catch the last ferry back.