How to Do Green Island from Cairns
It’s safe to say that there are no wrong decisions when it comes to choosing a Great Barrier Reef island for a tropical getaway. But there’s something extra special about Green Island, just off the coast of Cairns. Out of the 300 sand cays on the Great Barrier Reef, it’s the only one with a rainforest. It’s also steeped in ancient history and teeming with a diverse range of flora and fauna. With a free trip to Green Island included in this great Cairns Holiday Deal, you'll need our Top Tips to take advantage of your stay.
If you’re dreaming of an island escape, this Green Island guide has everything you need to help make your decision to visit here easy.
If you’re dreaming of an island escape, this Green Island guide has everything you need to help make your decision to visit here easy.
About Green Island
While only 12 hectares in size, Green Island is surrounded by 710 hectares of reef. It’s made up of sand sediments, animal and coral deposits and was formed around 6,000 years ago.
Green Island is an island of many firsts. It was the first island national park in Queensland and its surrounding foreshore and reef were the first protected marine area. The world’s first underwater observatory opened on Green Island in 1954 and in 1961, The Barrier Reef Theater became the first movie theatre on an island (it closed down in the early 1990s).
The Green Island Resort is also a leader in sustainable practices, going above and beyond to reduce its footprint in its stunning patch of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Green Island is an island of many firsts. It was the first island national park in Queensland and its surrounding foreshore and reef were the first protected marine area. The world’s first underwater observatory opened on Green Island in 1954 and in 1961, The Barrier Reef Theater became the first movie theatre on an island (it closed down in the early 1990s).
The Green Island Resort is also a leader in sustainable practices, going above and beyond to reduce its footprint in its stunning patch of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
How to get to Green Island
Green Island is a popular day trip option from Cairns, not just because of what awaits you 27km off the mainland’s shore, but because it’s so quick and easy to get to with the Green Island ferry. After just 45 minutes aboard one of Great Adventures’ modern catamarans, you’ll be sinking your toes into the pristine white sand beaches of this Great Barrier Reef island. The fast catamaran transfer departs Cairns three times a day at 8:30am, 10:30am and 1pm. If you’re staying on Green Island, your transfer is included in your room rate.
If you prefer to make a big entrance, then you can splurge on a helicopter transfer from Cairns or Cairns Airport.
If you prefer to make a big entrance, then you can splurge on a helicopter transfer from Cairns or Cairns Airport.
Dining Options
For a small island, you’re surprisingly spoilt for choices when it comes to wining and dining on Green Island. The five-star Emeralds restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features a menu based on locally sourced produce. The Canopy Grill keeps things casual with an à la carte lunch menu and room service is also available. Craving an ice cream on a sunny day in paradise? Pop into Little Bites for a scoop or stop by to stock up on snacks and drinks.
If you want to dine outdoors, you can pick up a freshly prepared gourmet hamper and find a secluded spot on the beach for a picnic. Those wanting to take advantage of Green Island's romantic setting can arrange a private seafood spread for two on the beach at sunset.
In case you weren’t feeling spoilt enough, once all the day trippers have gone home it’s time to pop the bubbly with complimentary sunset drinks at 5.15pm.
If you want to dine outdoors, you can pick up a freshly prepared gourmet hamper and find a secluded spot on the beach for a picnic. Those wanting to take advantage of Green Island's romantic setting can arrange a private seafood spread for two on the beach at sunset.
In case you weren’t feeling spoilt enough, once all the day trippers have gone home it’s time to pop the bubbly with complimentary sunset drinks at 5.15pm.
Top Things to Do on Green Island
1. Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
Snorkelling and scuba divingFringed by the Great Barrier Reef, you don’t need to travel far for great snorkelling on Green Island. There are over 190 different types of hard corals and over 100 types of soft corals surrounding the island. Just take a few steps off the beach to snorkel the coral reef, or stick closer to the jetty to spot turtles and dugongs feeding amongst the seagrass.
First-time scuba divers can learn to dive in the resort’s swimming pool before venturing out into the open sea off the island’s shore. More experienced divers will love exploring the small coral bommie known as the Pinnacle just one kilometre from Green Island.
First-time scuba divers can learn to dive in the resort’s swimming pool before venturing out into the open sea off the island’s shore. More experienced divers will love exploring the small coral bommie known as the Pinnacle just one kilometre from Green Island.
2. Seawalker Helmet Dive
Seawalker Green Island offers an amazing underwater helmet diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef. It’s unique in that you walk on the seafloor surrounded by colourful tropical fish and corals at beautiful Green Island, a 6000 year old coral cay. There is no equipment to operate and non-swimmers are welcome; Seawalker is accessible to almost everyone and you don’t even have to get you hair wet!
3. Water Activities
Resort guests have access to an array of water activities, like snorkelling and a selection of non-motorised beach equipment. Once you’ve worked your way through all of the complimentary activities, you can choose to hire a windsurfer, canoe or kayak and explore further off-shore, or get a bird’s eye view of the island while parasailing
4. Staying Dry
Green Island’s beauty isn’t limited to the water. Head off on a self-guided eco walk through the Green Island National Park. Along the easy 45-minute walking track, keep an eye out for the 134 species of plant life and array of 35 seabird species and 28 species of forest birds that call Green Island home. To learn more about the island’s history and flora and fauna, the resort offers a guided walk along the boardwalk every day at 3pm. Depending on the time of year, you can also watch sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach during a guided night walk.
Just a short stroll from the jetty is Marineland Melanesia, where you can meet the world’s largest crocodile living in captivity, Cassius, who is more than 100 years old. Marineland also has an aquarium, 50 or so more crocodiles, and one of the world’s largest private collections of primitive art and marine artifacts.
For something more relaxing, indulge in a hot stone, oil or foot massage at Green Island Resort’s Oiled Massage Salon.
If you want to spend some time on the water without getting wet, the resort offers complimentary glass-bottom tours for its guests. You’ll head out over the fringing reef, where you can get a snorkeller’s view of all the colourful marine life without ever dipping your toe in the water.
Just a short stroll from the jetty is Marineland Melanesia, where you can meet the world’s largest crocodile living in captivity, Cassius, who is more than 100 years old. Marineland also has an aquarium, 50 or so more crocodiles, and one of the world’s largest private collections of primitive art and marine artifacts.
For something more relaxing, indulge in a hot stone, oil or foot massage at Green Island Resort’s Oiled Massage Salon.
If you want to spend some time on the water without getting wet, the resort offers complimentary glass-bottom tours for its guests. You’ll head out over the fringing reef, where you can get a snorkeller’s view of all the colourful marine life without ever dipping your toe in the water.
5. Walk Around the Island
Lots of people tend to hand around the front 2 beaches that are right next to the jetty. Pretty much as soon you get off the jetty it takes less than 5 minutes to walk to either beach. So this is where most people tend to hang out. But you can walk around the entire circumference of the island in about 45 minutes and the biggest thing , no people!
That’s right because most people are just hanging around on the beach, not many people go for a walk around the island. There are fantastic photo opportunities on the Eastern side of the Island. Large old washed up trees that create a beautiful backdrop for beachside postcard style photographs.
That’s right because most people are just hanging around on the beach, not many people go for a walk around the island. There are fantastic photo opportunities on the Eastern side of the Island. Large old washed up trees that create a beautiful backdrop for beachside postcard style photographs.