This tourGreen Island cruise
★ 4.40 (1,977)7h7hUp to 7 h on the island5–9 h day · Green Island
5–9 h
Green Island
★ 4.40 (1,977)
A$112
Best for: Most reviewed
from A$112Check dates
1 / 5 photos
7hUp to 7 h on the islandfull-day option
half-day also soldfull-day option
half-day also soldfull-day option
Tour review · Cairns · Island dayTour review · Cairns · Island day
Green Island Snorkel Tour Review
★ 4.40 (1,977) reviews on GetYourGuideOur verdictThe easy, budget reef day — with a beach
A 45-minute catamaran ride, up to 7 hours on Green Island, a marine biologist’s reef talk and a pool. You snorkel the fringing reef off the beach, not the outer reef.Beach, pool and snorkelling off the sand. Fringing reef, not the outer reef.
45 minby catamaran each wayby catamaran
Up to 7 hon the islandon the island
Fare choiceglass-bottom or snorkelglass-bottom or snorkel
Reef talkwith a marine biologistmarine biologist
The short answer
Book it for an easy island day: from A$112, about 45 minutes by catamaran, up to 7 hours on Green Island, snorkel gear or a glass-bottom boat depending on your fare — 4.40★ from 1,977 reviews. It’s fringing reef off the beach, not the outer reef: for that, the Reef & Indigenous culture day is A$230.An easy island day: from A$112, 45 min by catamaran, up to 7 h on Green Island, 4.40★ (1,977). Fringing reef, not the outer reef — for that: Reef & Indigenous day, A$230.
Source · GetYourGuide product page, itinerary and reviews · Oct 2026Key takeaways
- 1
From A$112 per person; half- or full-day options.
- 2
About 45 minutes each way; up to 7 h on the island.
- 3
Snorkel gear or the glass-bottom boat depends on your fare.
- 4
Fringing reef off the beach — not the outer reef.
- 5
Reviewers mention a long ticket queue at check-in.
The day
Green Island Snorkel Tour Review: The Day Hour by Hour
Full-day option, from the operator’s boat schedule on GetYourGuide, drawn to scale. Half-days come back after about 4 hours.Full-day option, from the boat schedule, to scale.
On Green Island · up to 7 h7 h at the reefBy boat · 1.5 h1.5 h by boatFull day ≈8.5 h · Cairns → Cairns Marlin Marina
- At 0 hCatamaran outFast catamaran, about 45 min45 min
- At 0.8 hOn Green IslandBeach, snorkel off the sand, reef talk and island walk, rainforest tracks, pool7 h
- At 7.8 hBack to CairnsAbout 45 min45 min
Source · GetYourGuide boat schedule for this tour · Oct 2026Source · GetYourGuide boat schedule · Oct 2026See the options for this day
What you pay for
Green Island Snorkel Tour Review: What’s Included
In the ticket8 items
- Return air-conditioned fast catamaran cruise
- Up to 7 h leisure time on Green Island
- Green Island National Park walking tracks
- Marine biologist reef talk and island walk
- Use of the island swimming pool
- Island day facilities (restrooms, showers)
- Morning tea and coffee available on board
- Flexible free time to swim, snorkel and relax
+Costs extraNone listed
GetYourGuide lists nothing as not included. Snorkel gear and the glass-bottom boat depend on the fare you pick.
Bring
HatSwimwearTowelCameraSunscreen
Snorkel gear or the glass-bottom boat depends on the fare you pick.
Source · GetYourGuide “Includes” and “What to bring” · Oct 2026
Is it for you
Green Island Snorkel Tour Review: Who It Suits — And When to Pick Another
Honest fit, from what the tour includes and what reviewers say. Each alternative leaves from Cairns too.
Book it if…
- You travel with kidsShort ride, a beach and a pool on the island.
- You want a low priceFrom A$112 — less than half an outer reef day.
- You don’t love long boat ridesAbout 45 minutes each way.
- Not everyone snorkelsGlass-bottom boat fare, rainforest walks, beach.
- You want a flexible dayHalf- or full-day options, two morning departures.
Book something else if…
You want the outer reefReef & Indigenous culture day5 h in the water · 2 sites · ★ 4.71from A$230You want the glass-bottom boat includedGreen Island + glass-bottom boatIsland day, glass-bottom included · ★ 4.41from A$156You want an island and a pontoonGreen Island + pontoon combo2 h island + 3 h pontoon · ★ 4.62from A$312You want it even cheaperFitzroy Island ferry dayIsland day by ferry · ★ 4.71from A$108
GetYourGuide lists no “not suitable” group for this tour. Drones aren’t allowed.
Compare
Green Island Snorkel Tour Review: Compared with Other Cairns Island Days
Island days from Cairns. The difference is the price, what your fare includes and how many islands.
This tour
AlternativeGreen Island full day
★ 4.49 (1,733)not statednot statedReef time not stated8 h day · Green Island
8 h
Green Island
★ 4.49 (1,733)
A$110
Best for: Lowest price
from A$110Check dates
AlternativeGreen Island + glass-bottom boat
★ 4.41 (153)not statednot statedReef time not stated5–9 h day · Green Island
5–9 h
Green Island
★ 4.41 (153)
A$156
Best for: Stay dry
from A$156Check dates
AlternativeFitzroy + Green, 2 islands
★ 4.11 (200)6h+6h+6 h+ on the islands8 h day · Fitzroy + Green
8 h
Fitzroy + Green
★ 4.11 (200)
A$196
Best for: Fitzroy + Green
from A$196Check dates
Source · GetYourGuide product pages · reef time from each itinerary · prices checked Oct 2026
Before you go
Green Island Snorkel Tour Review: Meeting Point and What to Know
MapCairns Marlin MarinaLoads Google Maps · Open in Google Maps
Map · Open in Google Maps
Cairns Marlin Marina1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870Back at: Cairns Marlin MarinaHotel transfers: not statedOpen in Google Maps
Pick your fare
Cruise only, or with the glass-bottom boat or snorkel gear — choose when you book.Cruise only, glass-bottom or snorkel.
Half or full day
Two morning departures; return in the afternoon. Times show in the booking step.Two morning departures.
On the island
Restrooms, freshwater showers, a pool and places to eat.Showers, pool, food outlets.
Stinger season
Roughly Nov–May: lycra suits are usually provided on board.Nov–May; lycra usually provided.
Weather
Sea conditions can change the plan, or cancel a day — operators then rebook or refund.Sea conditions can change the plan.
Changes
Reschedule with at least 24 hours’ notice, subject to availability.Reschedule 24 h ahead.
Source · GetYourGuide “Know before you go” · Oct 2026
Reviews
Green Island Snorkel Tour Reviews from Travellers
4.40/ 5★★★★★1,977 reviews on GetYourGuide
from 1,977 reviews on GetYourGuide
What reviewers mention- Guides “so much knowledge”
- Glass-bottom boat “fish feeding”
- Island “easy to get around”
Heads-up · “Collecting tickets needs to be easier. I lined up for 40 minutes.” — David John
“We did the glass bottom boat and brought our own snorkels - great fun to do both!”
“TK was our tour guide and he was incredible so much knowledge and funny”
“Great day on Green island. Easy to get around and plenty of places to swim & snorkel.”
“The fish feeding on the glass bottom boat was excellent”
Source · GetYourGuide reviews, latest at Oct 2026 · quotes verbatim, shortened with “…”
FAQ
Green Island Snorkel Tour Review FAQ
How long is the boat ride to Green Island?
About 45 minutes each way on a fast catamaran.
How long do you get on the island?
Up to about 7 hours on the full-day option; half-days come back after about 4 hours.
Is snorkel gear included?
It depends on the fare: cruise only, or with snorkel gear or the glass-bottom boat. Choose when you book.
Is Green Island on the outer reef?
No. You snorkel the fringing reef around the island. Outer reef days go further out and cost from A$230.
Is it good for kids?
Yes — a short ride, a beach, a pool and the glass-bottom boat for those who don’t snorkel.
Is lunch included?
GetYourGuide doesn’t list lunch; there are food outlets on the island.
Where does it leave from?
The Cairns Marlin Marina at 1 Spence St. Reviewers mention queues at ticket collection, so arrive early.
Can I change my booking?
Yes, with at least 24 hours’ notice, subject to availability. If the operator cancels for weather, you can rebook or get a refund.
Ready?
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