Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street,Cairns, QLD
8:30am or 10:45am (check in 30 minutes before)
5pm
Book your Fitzroy Island ferry tickets and discover one of Tropical North Queensland’s most beautiful island escapes.
Spend the day swimming, relaxing on pristine beaches, snorkelling, or exploring the island’s rainforest walking trails and scenic coastline.
Choose the package that suits you:
Choose from two ferry departure times:
Tour and ferry options are selected at the booking stage.
Excellent rating![]()
based on 513 Google reviewsVerified by Trustindex
Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street,Cairns, QLD
8:30am or 10:45am (check in 30 minutes before)
5pm
6 or 8 hours
Subject to availability
Most visitors reach Fitzroy Island via a fast ferry from Cairns Marina, which takes about 45 minutes. Ferries run daily and typically include return trips. Ferry departure times vary by season, but the first ferry usually leaves around 8:00am, and the last return ferry is around 5:00pm. There are also other availabilities for time check our website for more.
Make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water, and swimwear if you plan to snorkel or relax on the beach. Cameras or phones are great for capturing the views, and a small bag is ideal. You are not permitted to bring a drone with you without permission.
Absolutely. The ferry is family-friendly, and the island has facilities for children, including beaches, snorkeling areas, and walking trails. Fitzroy island is an excellent option for families who want to experience the Great Barrier reef but don’t want to spend a day on a boat.
Yes! Fitzroy Island has a main resort café and a few casual dining options. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and light snacks with stunning ocean views. Options include sandwiches, seafood, salads, and coffee. If you fancy a drink whilst on the island, the resort café offers drinks, including soft drinks, coffee, and alcoholic drinks as well. It’s a popular spot to relax after snorkeling or hiking.
Visitors can snorkel on the fringing reefs, swim at Nudey Beach, hike the walking trails, kayak, or take a glass bottom boat tour. There are also options for guided reef tours, stand up paddleboarding, and wildlife spotting. There are several trails ranging from easy walks along the beach to moderate hikes up to Lookout Point, which offers fantastic views of the Great Barrier reef and nearby islands.
Yes, you can do the popular Reef and Island tour which gives you 2 hours in the morning to visit and explore Fitzroy Island before embarking on the Moore Reef pontoon which allows guests to snorkel in the Great Barrier reef, enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, lounge in the sun on the deck, observe the wildlife from the underwater observatory and it includes lunch! There are also optional extras such as introductory diving if you want to have a different experience from snorkeling.
Fitzroy Island is full of stunning sights and photo opportunities. One of the most popular spots is Nudey Beach, famous for its crystal clear water and white sand. It’s actually often ranked among Australia’s best beaches. The Summit Track offers sweeping views across the Coral Sea and surrounding islands, perfect for landscape and sunrise photos. Welcome Bay and White Rock are great for capturing the tranquil waters also making it a great snorkeling spot.
Yes, Fitzroy Island can be visited year round, including during the wet season and is a great alternative if snorkeling trips get cancelled. The wet season usually brings warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and occasional tropical showers. Many days still offer sunshine and good conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Yes, snorkeling straight off the beach at Fitzroy Island is one of its key features! The island has fringing coral reefs accessible from most of it’s beaches, including Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach. You can swim directly from shore and see colourful coral, tropical fish, and sometimes sea turtles.
EXCELLENT
Based on 512 reviews
Posted on Google![]()
Maya HeidemannTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing service and highly recommended! If you are planning a snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef, this is definitely the place to go. The advice was incredibly detailed, taking the time to explain which reefs and spots offer the absolute best chances to see an abundance of marine life and vibrant corals. What stood out the most was the complete transparency. No hidden fees, honest feedback on the different boats and tours, and clear expectations about what to anticipate. You can really tell that their main goal is to help you find the best possible experience, rather than just making a sale. Looking forward to the tour! Thank you for the fantastic recommendation.Posted on Google![]()
Maya HeidemannTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We were given a thorough and detailed consultation, and he took a lot of time to answer all our questions! We’re really looking forward to our snorkeling tour!Posted on Google![]()
ChloéTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Thank to Bailey and his team for his amazing thank for is advise on the activities. ☺️Posted on Google![]()
Shaw DennisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The staff at this company, especially Zoe, are incredibly helpful, attentive, and thorough in their explanations. She was extremely dedicated to following up on all of our requests. On top of that, she even provided local travel information, which was wonderful. Highly recommended!Posted on Google![]()
JulieTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Travel Hub Palm Cove, Qld were fabulous (in particular Bailey) when I had to cancel a trip recently at very short notice due to illness. They were kind and understanding and very prompt with the refund. I recommend them to other travellers.Posted on Google![]()
Ester ZanattaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Shout out to Max for his guidance! He listened to my requirements and helped me figure out what I really wanted, and he explained the options in depth. With his help, I was able to have a fun day combining a flight over the reef with an excursion to Fitzroy island. All bookings went smooth. Great service!Posted on Google![]()
Harry SinghTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Big thank you to Elyra and Liz for helping booking us reef experience. Great team and efforts. Highly recommend them for any bookings.Posted on Google![]()
Rachel CampionTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Huge thanks to Niamh, she was absolutely great from start to finish—so helpful, knowledgeable, and easy to deal with. A great team that made organizing our trip completely hassle-free. Couldn't recommend them enough!Posted on Google![]()
Conall DurkinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had the most amazing time in Cairns. So many fabulous tours. Special shoutout to Niamh! If you need a tour booked in the Cairns area, I highly recommend her, so friendly and organised! Thanks NiamhPosted on Google![]()
Elizabeth AndrewsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Traveled to Cairns and took a day trip to Palm Cove where Charlotte helped create the best experience! I highly recommend working with her for any travel or vacation services.