What Can You Do on Green Island?
You can swim, snorkel, take a glass-bottom boat tour, walk through the rainforest, relax on the beach, hire a kayak and join several optional reef activities on Green Island.
We visited Green Island in July 2026 and stayed for three nights with our children. That gave us time to experience both the busy day-trip period and the quieter island atmosphere after the ferries departed.
Best things to do on Green Island
- Swim from the patrolled beach
- Snorkel over the reef
- Take a glass-bottom boat tour
- Walk through the island’s rainforest
- Walk along the beach
- Relax on a beach sun lounge
- Have a picnic in the day-use area
- Hire a kayak when conditions permit
- Look for turtles, fish, seabirds and other wildlife
- Try an optional activity such as parasailing, scuba diving or Seawalker
Choose a tour by the activities you want
The right package depends mainly on whether you want snorkelling equipment, a glass-bottom boat tour, or both included with your ferry.
- Choose one core activity: the Great Adventures Eco Adventure includes a choice of snorkelling equipment or a glass-bottom boat tour.
- Do both activities: the Great Adventures Discovery Tour includes snorkelling equipment and a glass-bottom boat tour.
- Consider the semi-submarine: the Big Cat Green Island day trip is the relevant starting point. Confirm whether the semi-submarine can be added to your selected option.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no additional cost to you.
For a fuller comparison of schedules, inclusions and trip lengths, see our guide to the best Green Island tours and ferry options.
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| The sheltered sandy beach gives younger children room to play close to the water. |
Swimming and snorkelling
A lifeguard-patrolled swimming area is provided on the northern side of Green Island near the Beach Hire hut. This is the main place for swimming and shore snorkelling.
Snorkelling equipment may be included with your tour, available as a choice instead of a glass-bottom boat trip, or offered as a separate hire. Check your package rather than assuming equipment is included.
We saw plenty of fish while snorkelling during our stay, although the coral in the areas we explored from shore was not as visible or impressive as we remembered from earlier visits. Conditions and visibility vary, so ask the lifeguard or activity staff where the best entry point is on the day.
Take a glass-bottom boat tour
A glass-bottom boat is one of the best Green Island activities for families, non-swimmers and visitors who do not want to snorkel.
We found the commentary insightful, educational, and entertaining. We probably saw wider range of sealife that when just snorkelling. We saw large fish, schools of fish, giant clams, turtles and starfish. Our children, especially the 3-year-old that can't snorkel, loved the experience.
The boat tour also gives you a different view of the reef even if you plan to snorkel. Great Adventures and Big Cat both offer glass-bottom boat options, but whether the trip is included depends on the fare you book.
Take a semi-submarine tour
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises currently operates the semi-submarine experience at Green Island. Great Adventures does not operate a semi-submarine.
The semi-submarine has seating below water level and provides a diver-style view of the reef without requiring passengers to swim or get wet. It can be a good alternative for families and people who want more underwater viewing than a standard glass-bottom boat provides.
The semi-submarine is an optional extra and is not included with every Big Cat fare.
Walk through the rainforest
Green Island is small and easy to explore on foot. The interpretive boardwalk passes through the island’s tropical vine forest and provides a change of scenery from the beach and reef.
The boardwalk is short, shaded and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. You can also walk along the beach, although soft sand makes the beach route less accessible.
Read our complete guide to walking around Green Island.
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| Low tide reveals rippled sand, shallow pools and more of Green Island’s reef flat. |
Look for wildlife
Green turtles are regularly seen in the water around Green Island, particularly where there are seagrass beds. You may also see reef fish, rays, clams, sea stars and seabirds.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but a combination of shore walking, snorkelling and a glass-bottom boat tour gives you several opportunities to look for marine life.
Relax on the beach
You do not need to fill the day with organised activities. Green Island has sandy beach areas where you can swim, sit in the shade or relax between activities.
Sun lounges and umbrellas can be hired through Beach Hire. They are currently complimentary for Green Island Resort guests but should not be assumed to be included with a normal day-trip fare.
Use the swimming pools
There is a day-visitor swimming pool near the café and bar area. There is also a smaller swimming pool reserved for Green Island Resort guests. Both pools are well shaded, which is great during the summer, but during our winter stay both pools were a touch cool for us to spend much time in them — a swim in the sea was a much more pleasant option!
Hire a kayak
Single and double kayaks are available through Beach Hire. Kayak hire is normally charged separately for day visitors, while most non-motorised beach equipment is currently included for Green Island Resort guests.
The important limitation is that kayaking depends on suitable weather and water conditions. It was unavailable on one windy day during our stay but reopened the following day when conditions improved. Day visitors should also expect timed hire sessions rather than unlimited all-day use.
If kayaking is one of your main reasons for visiting, check with Beach Hire after arriving and have an alternative activity planned.
Try parasailing
Parasailing provides an aerial view over Green Island and the surrounding reef. We saw plenty of people parasailing during our July 2026 stay, although we did not try it ourselves.
The activity is run by an operator separate from Great Adventures, but it can currently be booked through Great Adventures or with the parasailing crew on Green Island. It is a paid activity and remains subject to weather and availability.
Other paid activities
Depending on the operator, schedule and conditions, additional Green Island activities can include:
- Scuba diving
- Guided boat snorkelling trips
- Seawalker helmet diving
- Scenic helicopter flights
- Marine-biologist-guided activities
- Marineland Melanesia
These activities cost extra unless your particular package says otherwise. Age, medical and swimming requirements may apply to some experiences.
What can overnight guests do?
Staying at Green Island Resort provides access to some activities and facilities that general day visitors do not receive.
During our stay, resort inclusions included:
- A glass-bottom boat tour
- Snorkelling equipment
- Most non-motorised beach equipment
- Kayaks when conditions permitted
- Beach sun lounges and umbrellas
- Sunset drinks
- A fish-feeding presentation
- Marine-biologist-guided activities
- Access to the resort-guest swimming pool
- Access to the Coral Cay Guest Lounge
Inclusions can change, so check the current resort package before booking. Read our firsthand guide to staying overnight on Green Island.
A simple Green Island day-trip plan
- Start with a short rainforest boardwalk or beach walk
- Take your scheduled glass-bottom boat tour
- Swim or snorkel before lunch
- Have lunch or a picnic in the day-use area
- Spend the afternoon relaxing, swimming or joining an optional activity
- Allow enough time to return hired equipment before your ferry departs
A full day is the better choice if you want to combine several activities without rushing. Read how long you should spend on Green Island.
The bottom line
Green Island is best for a combination of simple reef, beach and rainforest activities. Swimming, snorkelling, walking and relaxing can fill an enjoyable day, while the glass-bottom boat is particularly worthwhile for families and people who cannot snorkel.
Kayaking, parasailing, the semi-submarine and other commercial activities add more variety, but availability and inclusions depend on your operator, package and the conditions on the day.
We visited Green Island in July 2026. Activity information was last checked in August 2026. Tour inclusions, schedules and operating conditions can change, so confirm important details before travelling.
