How to Get to Green Island from Cairns
The main way to get to Green Island from Cairns is by ferry or reef cruise from Cairns Marlin Marina beside the Reef Fleet Terminal.
Green Island is about 27 km offshore from Cairns, so most visitors travel by commercial boat. It is one of the easiest Great Barrier Reef islands to reach from Cairns, with the crossing usually taking around 45 minutes.
Which Green Island ferry or day trip should you choose?
For most visitors, the easiest option is a return ferry package that includes snorkelling equipment, a glass-bottom boat tour, or both. These are the three principal options to compare.
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- Great Adventures Eco Adventure: return ferry transfers with your choice of snorkelling equipment or a glass-bottom boat tour. This is the best starting point for most visitors. Check Eco Adventure prices and availability.
- Great Adventures Discovery: return ferry transfers with both snorkelling equipment and a glass-bottom boat tour included. This suits visitors who want to experience both without choosing between them. Check Discovery prices and availability.
- Big Cat Green Island Day Trip: an alternative ferry operator with full-day and shorter-trip options. Check the selected package carefully because inclusions and time on the island can vary. Check Big Cat day-trip options.
For a more detailed breakdown, see our guide to the best Green Island ferry and tour options from Cairns.
Where do ferries to Green Island leave from?
Green Island ferries and day tours depart from Cairns Marlin Marina beside the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1 Spence Street.
Great Adventures passengers normally collect their boarding passes from the Great Adventures counter inside the terminal. Big Cat passengers may be instructed to check in directly at the vessel. Follow the instructions supplied with your booking and arrive early enough to find the correct counter or boat.
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| Looking back towards Cairns as our ferry departed for Green Island in June 2026. |
How long is the boat ride from Cairns to Green Island?
The ferry crossing usually takes approximately 45 minutes. Weather and sea conditions can affect the exact travel time, so treat this as a guide rather than a guaranteed journey time.
On our journey, only around 20 to 25 minutes were spent on the more exposed part of the crossing. This meant that even on a windy day, the bumpier part of the trip was relatively short.
Does the Green Island ferry get rough?
On our outbound trip, the wind was around 28 knots. The complete journey still took approximately 45 minutes, with about 20 minutes of bumpier conditions. Our eight-year-old son became seasick just towards the end of the crossing. We had been sitting inside towards the front of the ferry.
If you are prone to seasickness, we would definitely recommend sitting outside towards the back, where you can get cool fresh air and look towards the horizon. My wife and daughter sat here on the way over and both were fine.
The wind on our return journey was closer to 15 knots, and the crossing was smooth with no seasickness problems—thank goodness!
What was the Great Adventures ferry like?
We travelled to Green Island with Great Adventures during our 2026 visit. The check-in and boarding process felt relaxed, and complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits were available on the boat before departure.
The crossing was straightforward and short enough to work well with children. Our children also enjoyed the glass-bottom boat trip included with our stay, particularly seeing larger fish, schools of fish, giant clams, turtles, and starfish.
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| A Great Adventures ferry arriving at Green Island as our ferry departed for Cairns. |
How much is the ferry from Cairns to Green Island?
The cost depends on the operator, departure time, length of the visit, and whether you choose transfer-only or a package with activities.
A transfer-only fare may have the lowest advertised price, while packages cost more because they can include snorkelling equipment, a glass-bottom boat tour, lunch, or other extras. Compare the complete inclusions and the amount of time you receive on Green Island rather than looking only at the headline price.
Can you take your car to Green Island?
No. There is no car ferry to Green Island. Which is lucky because there are no cars or roads on Green Island. Resort Staff have a couple of ATVs and golf buggies for transport luggage and orther equipement. Visitors leave Cairns as foot passengers and travel by ferry, cruise, charter boat, or aircraft.
Are there other ways to get to Green Island?
Helicopter packages are another way to reach Green Island. Some combine a helicopter flight in one direction with a ferry journey in the other. These experiences are considerably more expensive than a standard ferry trip and may depend on weather, passenger numbers, and availability.
Travel facts on this page were last checked in August 2026. Ferry schedules, prices, package inclusions, weather, and operating arrangements can change, so confirm the important details shown on your booking before travelling.
The bottom line
For most people, getting to Green Island means taking a ferry or day cruise from Cairns. The crossing usually takes around 45 minutes, there is no car access, and you can choose between transfer-only fares and packages that include reef activities.
If you want one simple recommendation, start with the full Green Island ferry and tour comparison and choose the package that gives you the activities and island time you actually want.
