Discover Green Island

Green Island is a small coral island covered in rainforest and surrounded by coral reefs. When planning your trip, you can focus on both the island’s nature and experiences in and under the water. A walk around the island, beach activities and a range of tours offer different ways to explore. You can decide whether to discover the island on foot or view the coral world from the water.

Island nature and walking tour

A 45-minute island walk takes you around Green Island, the only coral island covered in rainforest in the Great Barrier Reef. The island is home to 120 plant species and numerous birds.

Along the Green Island Boardwalk, signs provide information about the island’s history and its significance to the Gunggandji people. Green Island and its reef hold traditional and contemporary cultural significance for the Guru-Gulu Gungandji. The signs along the boardwalk and this cultural significance give your island visit a historical and cultural dimension beyond viewing the reef.

The coral world from the beach and by boat

At Green Island’s beach, you can snorkel in the clear, cool waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The day-use area also has a patrolled section of beach for swimming. Swimming conditions and patrols may change; check conditions locally. A coral reef near Green Island that has been restored by hand is also used for snorkelling and diving. Conditions at this restoration site may continue to evolve.

The 30-minute Glass Bottom Boat Tour takes you through Green Island’s underwater world and coral gardens. The tour includes fish feeding and commentary from the operator about Great Barrier Reef corals and fish. It’s another way to discover the underwater world during a boat tour. Tour details and inclusions may change; check them before booking.

The Semi-Submarine Tour offers another way to explore Green Island’s underwater world without getting wet. With Seawalker Green Island, visitors walk along the seabed among tropical fish and corals during an underwater helmet dive. No equipment needs to be operated, and non-swimmers are welcome. Availability may change, and you should check the participation requirements before booking.

Wildlife and coral knowledge

Marineland Melanesia features up to 15 crocodiles, including freshwater and saltwater species. There are also two interactive animal shows per day. If you plan to attend these presentations, check the current schedule, as show times may change. You can weigh this stop against the beach and water experiences.

The Coral Nursery at Marineland Melanesia provides information about coral biology and coral propagation. It is available as an optional add-on; access to this offering may change. Green Island therefore offers different ways to learn about the reef: snorkelling or diving in the water, taking a boat tour, and learning about coral propagation.

Plan your visit and stay

Regular ferry services run from the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street in Cairns to Green Island. The crossing takes about 50 minutes. Timetables and travel times may change, so check the service for your planned travel date. Green Island is designated a “Sensitive Location” under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s site-specific management arrangements. Find out about the relevant management arrangements before your visit.

Include the ferry service from Cairns in your plans, too.

Discover more destinations: Miriam Vale, Atherton, Elbow Valley, Carindale, Slade Point, Ingham, Springsure, Bedarra Island.

See the broader travel overview: Queensland.