Green Island, great barrier reef in a glimpse

Green Island (web), is a 6000 year old coral cay located in Great Barrier Reef, just 27 km (17mi) offshore from the tropical North Queensland city of Cairns. The island is approximately 15 hectares in size and is unique in that it has a reef and rainforest environment. Of the 300 coral cays in the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island is the only one with a rainforest. The island sits on the north-western edge of the reef flat. The surrounding reef is classified an "inshore patch reef".

Green Island is accessible by fast ferry from Cairns with Great Adventures Reef and Green Island Cruises. Great Adventures’ fast modern catamarans take just 45 minutes to reach the island and depart at three convenient times daily, 8:30AM, 10:30AM and 1:00PM for a range of half day or full day tours.

Get around

Green Island has extensive boardwalks that wind through the resort and day visitor areas, deep into the vine-thicket rainforest and with access boardwalks direct to the beach areas. Canoes and sea kayaks are available to hire to explore around the island by water.

You MUST See

• See the Reef from the Glass Bottom Boat coral viewing tour (inclusive or optional in Great Adventures tour packages)
• Explore the island’s flora with a self-guided eco island walk. The island is home to over 120 native plant species. Around 55 species of birds are regularly seen on the island.
• Make sure you visit the island’s interpretive boardwalk centre. Set in the rainforest (north of Marineland Melanesia) it features unique displays on the European and Indigenous histories, and the ecology of the island.
• Marineland Melanesia crocodile and marine life habitat. See crocodile shows and even hold a baby croc. Tropical fish aquariums, primitive art and marine artefacts on display.
• Green Island Underwater Observatory: This is a piece of marine history, being the world’s first stationary underwater observatory, opened in 1954.

You MUST Do

Green Island is an adventure playground for day visitors seeking a wide range of island activities. Many optional activities are provided by island operators.

• Great Adventures, 1 Spence St, Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns, Tel: (61 7) 4044 9944, (E-mail: res@greatadventures.com.au), (web). Tours depart from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal located at 1 Spence Street Cairns.

• Swim and snorkel directly from the beach. Green Island has soft white coral sand beaches. Turtles can often be seen as the island also has a significant sea grass habitat.
• Walk around the island - it takes about 45 minutes. You’ll sea different environments, from the sandy beaches to granite beach rock.
• Take an introductory scuba dive or certified dive at specially selected sites offshore from Green island. The diving is conducted by Great Adventures’ dive team of highly qualified instructors. PADI approved instruction.
• Take a boat snorkel trip to see the best snorkeling sites a few minutes offshore from Green Island. Again these tours are run by Great Adventures and can be booked at the Island’s Dive Shop or on board a Great Adventures cruise.
• Walk underwater with Seawalker Helmet Diving. Guides will take you about 4 metres to the island seafloor where you will see the reef up close. This is great for passengers who are unsure of scuba diving and ideal for non-swimmers. You can even wear glasses and not get your hair wet.
• Swim in the day visitor resort style pool. Access is complimentary for Great Adventures passengers.
• Take to the sky behind a power boat to see the reef and island with Green Island Parasailing.
• Green Island Beach Hire - Enjoy activities such as canoeing, surfskiing and windsurfing or relax on a sun lounge under a beach umbrella.
• Green Island Resort has a beautiful Day Spa that will also offer treatments for day visitors, however bookings are essential.
• Scenic Helicopter flights. As the island is a National Park, only limited helicopter landings are available per day so it’s recommended to pre book.
• Seaplane scenic flights

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