Three very different Great Barrier Reef islands, three different days. Green Island and Fitzroy Island depart from Cairns; Low Isles departs from Port Douglas. Compare them below and book the island day that suits you.
Help Me Choose
- From Cairns, and want a coral cay with a beach? → Green Island — a coral cay about 45 minutes from Cairns, with a white-sand beach, a fringing reef you can snorkel from the shore, and a rainforest boardwalk. Departs Cairns.
- From Cairns, and want rainforest walks as well as reef? → Fitzroy Island — a continental island about 45 minutes from Cairns, within a national park, with rainforest walking tracks, beaches and a fringing reef. Departs Cairns.
- From Port Douglas, or after a sailing day to a lighthouse cay? → Low Isles — a coral cay with an 1878 lighthouse, reached by a sailing day from Port Douglas, with a lagoon and fringing reef. Departs Port Douglas (not Cairns).
Departure matters: Green Island and Fitzroy Island leave from Cairns; Low Isles leaves from Port Douglas. Choose the island that matches where you’re staying.
Compare at a Glance
| Island | Departs | Island type | Reef & environment | Day options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Island | Cairns | Coral cay | Beach, fringing reef (snorkel from shore), rainforest boardwalk | Island day; or island + outer-reef pontoon combo |
| Fitzroy Island | Cairns | Continental island (national park) | Rainforest walking tracks, beaches, fringing reef | Island transfer or all-inclusive; or island + Moore Reef combo |
| Low Isles | Port Douglas | Coral cay (1878 lighthouse) | Lagoon & fringing reef, sailing | Sailing day (Sailaway); Wavedancer Low Isles |
Some products are combinations — for example a Green Island + outer-reef pontoon day, or a Fitzroy Island + Moore Reef day. These add an outer-reef site to the island visit and are different from an island-only day trip. Check each product’s inclusions below.
Island Day Trips — Book Direct
Choose your island below — Green Island and Fitzroy Island from Cairns, or Low Isles from Port Douglas — and book direct.
Good to Know
Where they depart: Green Island and Fitzroy Island depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns; Low Isles departs from Port Douglas (Crystalbrook Marina). Choose the island near where you’re staying.
The reef levy (Environmental Management Charge) is included in fares; some operators add a fuel levy at booking. Transfers are available on most tours, and most offer flexible cancellation. Combination products (island + reef pontoon) include an outer-reef site as well as the island.
Planning: Weather · Snorkelling
Island Day Trips — FAQs
Which Great Barrier Reef island should I visit?
Green Island is a coral cay from Cairns with a beach and a fringing reef you can snorkel from shore. Fitzroy Island is a continental national-park island from Cairns with rainforest walking tracks as well as reef. Low Isles is a coral cay with a lighthouse reached by a sailing day from Port Douglas. Different islands, different days — and different departure cities.
Do all three islands depart from Cairns?
No. Green Island and Fitzroy Island depart from Cairns; Low Isles departs from Port Douglas. Check the departure city before booking.
What’s the difference between an island day and an island + reef combo?
An island-only day is spent at the island. A combination product (for example Green Island + a reef pontoon, or Fitzroy Island + Moore Reef) adds a visit to an outer-reef site as well.
Can I snorkel at the islands?
Yes — Green Island, Fitzroy Island and Low Isles all have fringing reef you can snorkel.
Keep exploring
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Tours · Port Douglas Reef Tours · All reef day trips
Looking beyond island trips? Explore all Great Barrier Reef tours by departure point and experience.