Are there crocodiles on Fitzroy Island?
Fitzroy Island off the coast of Cairns is a popular place for swimming and snorkelling. While technically in Croc Country, the conditions aren’t right for crocodiles.
Fitzroy Island is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Cairns, Queensland. Visitors go for a slice of island paradise – and snorkelling just off the beach. To book a Fitzroy Island day trip from Cairns, head this way.
Is it safe to swim on Fitzroy Island?
It is not totally safe to swim at Fitzroy Island, but it is a lot safer here than at many Cairns beaches. Box jellyfish are rare around Fitzroy Island, although some can sneak in during stinger season (November to May).
Wearing a stinger suit during stinger season is advised, but this is more precautionary than a necessity.
Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday
- Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
- Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
- Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
- Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
- Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
- Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.
Fitzroy Island crocodiles
The other potential safety issue with swimming at Fitzroy Island is crocodiles. Crocodiles kill an average of one to two people a year in Australia, and Fitzroy Island is unquestionably in Croc Country.
But, realistically, are there any crocodiles on Fitzroy Island?
Thankfully, the answer is no. The reefs around Fitzroy Island form a lagoon effect, with clear water for swimming and snorkelling in just off the beaches.
Crocodiles don’t like clear water. They like the murky water of rivers, estuaries, billabongs and creeks where prey can’t see them quite as easily.
A crocodile is not going to bother swimming out to an island surrounded by clear water where it can be seen a mile off.
You can safely take a day trip on the ferry to Fitzroy Island, or stay at the Fitzroy Island Resort, without having to worry about being attacked by a croc.
Other Cairns activities
Aside from a Fitzroy Island day trip, other things to do in Cairns include hopping aboard the Green Island ferry or the Evolution cruise to Hastings Reef.
Save time queuing – Book these Cairns attractions in advance
- From the air: Outer Reef helicopter flight | Sunrise hot air balloon ride | Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
- At night: Sunset dinner cruise | Pub and club tour | Aquarium by Twilight experience.
- For wildlife: Birdworld Kuranda | Kuranda Koala Gardens | Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome | Cairns Aquarium | Rainforestation Nature Park
- For culture: Cairns Museum tickets | Street art walking tour | City and surrounds highlights bus tour.
- For thrills: AJ Hackett giant jungle swing | High speed jet boat tour | Barron Gorge white water rafting | Mulgrave River tubing.
For other attractions, try the Cairns Aquarium, hair-raising bungy jumping at Skypark Cairns, splashing in the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and discovering tropical ecosystems at the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
Top level Cairns accommodation options include the Pacific Hotel, the Hilton Cairns and the Sebel Cairns Harbour Lights.
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