Green Island – Big Cat Cruises
Full Day – Half Day Reef Tours From Cairns
The check in at the Big Cat Cruises counter at the Cairns reef fleet terminal in Spence Street is organised and hassle free with a choice of various departure times of 9.00 am 11.00 am and 1.00 pm to Green Island giving you the choice of 2 hours, 4 hours or 5 hours to spend exploring the island and the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
On Board The Big Cat Cruises Boats
The journey on Big Cat Cruises out to Green Island is around about forty five minutes on the Rocket and ninety minutes on the Big Cat and the time passes very quickly as the scenery is beautiful and there is more than enough going on onboard the boat to keep you enthralled. Big Cats catamaran ride is so smooth that you’ll hardly feel a thing and if you do think you suffer from sea sickness then this is a perfect short water crossing for you to get to see the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. The Big Cat Cruises crew will conduct on board presentations about the different types of coral that you will see during your half day or full days snorkeling and also the species of fish and other marine life that inhabit these corals over the course of your day on Green Island.
The Big Cat Cruises team will give you safety briefings and show you how to use your snorkel equipment and point out the areas on Green Island where there are life guards on duty to ensure everyone is swimming along nicely and point out where pool noodles and flotation gear can be borrowed from the beach hut on Green Island.
Scuba Diving – Seawalker Helmet Diving
If you are going to be scuba diving or helmet diving you will be asked to fill in the medical forms on the boat and then given instructions, safety tips and gear once you arrive on Green Island. Upon Big Cats arrival at Green Island there are many things to do so make sure you leave time to see everything. If you have chosen the all inclusive Big Cat package the buffet lunch is served on the boat starting at eleven thirty but be sure to be back on board Big Cat before one o’clock as that is when the crew put the lunch away and prepare the Big Cat for the homeward journey to Cairns.
Things To Do And See On Green Island
Green Island is an absolutely brilliant showcase for aquatic life. There is a beautiful resort on Green Island accompanied by all the activities one could wish to do on a Great Barrier Reef island. There is scuba diving, Seawalker helmet diving, semi submersible submarine tours, glass bottom boat tours, snorkeling, shopping, day spa, restaurants and cocktail bars and a pool area to just laze about.
Green Island is relatively small and can easily be walked around in about an hour or more for those wanting to explore. At low tide much of the coral close to shore are exposed which means if you are snorkeling you can go out for the better part of a kilometer. Take a pool noodle and place it under your arms so you can be out snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef from Green Island for hours just drifting along at your own pace.
Green Island Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Big Cat Cruises glass bottom boat ride takes around twenty minutes or so and gives one a terrific idea about the diversity of marine life in and around the Great Barrier Reef. You go out into the deep blue sea where the coral and marine life thrive in the deeper colder waters. The fish feeding attracts all kinds of different species to the boat so make sure your camera is ready because there are so many great photo opportunities.
The glass bottom boat marine interpreter is informative and will point out and name the types of coral and fish as you cruise over the ocean floor just above the reef.
Semi Submersible Submarine Tour
Big Cat Cruises yellow semi-submersible submarine is a fun ride as well showing you many more of the same fish from the glass walls in the concave of the submarine. The perspective of the coral reef is totally different as you are cruising alongside the fish and they do not see you as a predator so the opportunity to see more fish and Green Sea Turtles is far greater so we do urge you to try the Big Cat yellow semi-submersible submarine whilst you are on Green Island.
On a few rare occasions whales have come alongside to take a look at the submarine to the delight of the guests inside the vessel as they frequent these waters from May to September on their annual migration.
If you have decided to skip all the activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving and helmet diving make sure that you take both boat tours as they are both great ways to see the reef and surrounding marine life without getting your hair wet and just the perfect way for the non swimmers to see and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef and her wonders also.
Snorkeling on Green Island
Snorkeling around Green Island is an excellent way to see the fish and other creatures of the Great Barrier Reef. The shallow waters that surround the island make snorkeling a good idea even for the most novices of swimmers. As you get off the Big Cat cruise boat and walk onto the jetty the best area to snorkel is immediately on your right but please note this area is not patrolled by surf life savers and is only recommended for the better swimmers and snorkelers. Here you may even have the chance of seeing a small shark. Nothing that could really harm anyone, just little black or white reef tip sharks so don’t be shy jump into it and start your snorkeling adventure.
Just off the lifeguard patrolled area which is on the northern tip of Green Island is a pretty good spot to see small fish and underwater sea life. On a low tide this area is ok but you will need to go out from the beach quite a long way to see bigger fish and more diversity of creatures so a flotation vest or pool noodle is recommended so you can go the distance and spend some leisurely time floating about watching the activity below the waters surface.
Seawalker- Helmet Diving on The Cairns Great Barrier Reef
Helmet Diving or Sea walking from the pontoon platform placed out in the deeper water is a fascinating experience to say the least. Underwater about fifteen feet or so there is an abundance of aquatic life for the enthusiasts. Here you get the chance to wander along the ocean floor while still breathing normally without scuba tanks just a big bubble on your head. Be sure not to lean over or you will have a bit of a water leak into your helmet. Just stand upright and keep your back straight and you will have no worries it’s so easy. You may even get the opportunity to pat some of the inquisitive fish or other sea creature and maybe a suckerfish will glide past to touch. There is a resident giant Maori Wrasse that comes up nice and close so you can pet them as they swim alongside you like puppy dogs. You can move about with relative freedom guided by your experienced scuba dive instructor. An underwater photographer will be among your Helmut diving group snapping shots while the fish are swimming amongst you.
Helmut Sea walking is a great way to see the depths of the ocean without even getting your hair wet. Should you wish to add this activity to your Green Island tour itinerary then please call to book on 07 4059 5959 or email us at info@thetourspecialists.com and please note children are required to be 12 years or older and medical conditions apply.
Scuba Diving Green Island
Scuba diving is a little similar but different at the same time. Experienced swimmers are required for scuba diving and the instruction process is a bit more intense. You are less restricted for space while scuba diving as opposed to sea walking as you stay in a small area.
Much of the same things will be seen while doing both types of diving as you are on the oceans floor so if you are a poor swimmer and don’t want to get your hair wet then we recommend the helmet dive.
For the most complete experience be sure to sign up with Big Cat for your first introductory dive or pre-book for your certified dives on your booking reservation form. When you board the Big Cat boat tour you will be required to fill out medical forms and show your certified divers card and then the Big Cat Cruises crew will help you with the rest. The fish are exciting to see in action especially when it is feeding time. Enjoy a Green Island scuba diving experience and you won’t be disappointed as you get to go out to the deeper colder waters and this is where the best of the coral and marine life lives.
There are many exciting activities to do on a Big Cat Green Island cruise. Be sure to do as much as possible as this will certainly make for the most well rounded experience. The boat ride back will be a very relaxing well-deserved break from the fun filled day you have just had with Big Cat Green Island Cruises.
Additional Information
Included in price:
- High speed catamaran transfers to Green Island
- Choice of snorkeling gear or glass bottom boat tour ($10 extra if you choose to do both)
- Snorkeling demonstration and reef presentation en route to Green Island
- Self guided island walk
Optional extras able to be purchased or hired:
- Buffet Lunch
- Semi- submersible submarine coral viewing tour
- Introductory scuba dive (no experience necessary, subject to medical questionnaire)
- One certified scuba dive
- Two certified scuba dives
- Seawalker helmet diving
- Supervised snorkeling trips
- Tandem parasailing
- Marineland Melanesia
- Helicopter scenic flights (subject to availability — ask us on booking)
For scuba diving and helmet diving, medical, height and age restrictions apply; must be 12 to 70 years.
What to bring:
Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, towel, shirt to swim in (slip, slop, slap) cash or credit card for snorkel deposit, cash for drinks and snacks. Film, sunscreen and souvenirs available for sale on board the boat tour. Snorkeling deposit: $30 "Refundable Deposit" is required for the hire of snorkeling gear — cash or credit card imprint.
Fitness level required:
Low
Child policies:
- Child Fare 4-14 years inclusive
- Infants 3 and under travel free
- Family Fare: 2 Adults and 2 Children (not applicable with other discounts)
- All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST
| Current Prices | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sun, 05 Feb | Mon, 06 Feb | Tue, 07 Feb | Wed, 08 Feb | Thu, 09 Feb | Fri, 10 Feb | Sat, 11 Feb | Sun, 12 Feb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Island Reef Cruise - Half Day PM 1pm | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Island Reef Cruise - Full Day 11am | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Island Reef Cruise - Half Day AM 9am | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Island Reef Cruise - Full Day 9am | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Tour Specialists tip
Everyone loves a day trip to Green Island; it’s just perfect for all age groups from babies to grandmas and grandpas. Lots to do and see, plenty of shade, swimming pool, shops and restaurants. We highly recommend you spend a lazy day on this gorgeous little island. We love it as locals and love to spend the whole weekend over here as a little getaway.
Make sure you go and see the huge crocodile and turtles; you will love it.
