Fitzroy Island ferry: Cost, timetable and day tours from Cairns

The Fitzroy Island ferry takes 45 minutes to get from Cairns to Fitzroy Island. Fitzroy Island day trips use the same catamaran transfer and cost $85.

To skip the detail, and just book a Fitzroy Island day tour from Cairns, head here.

The Fitzroy Island ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island serves two purposes. The first is transferring guests to and from the Fitzroy Island Resort. The second is taking daytrippers to the island.

Fitzroy Island Resort near Cairns, Queensland — The Fitzroy Island Resort is short ferry ride away from Cairns. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

The Fitzroy Flyer catamaran, therefore, doesn’t quite work as a traditional ferry service. You can only use the Fitzroy Island ferry as part of a package.

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.

Fitzroy Island day trips on the Fitzroy Island ferry

The full day tours to Fitzroy Island include the complimentary fish-feeding session on the jetty at 11.30am. You’re also free to tackle the self-guided nature walks around the island. Optional extras you can pay for include snorkelling equipment hire, kayak rentals and tours of the turtle rehabilitation centre.

The full day Fitzroy Island tours start at 8.30am, and return in the late afternoon.

Resort transfers from Cairns to Fitzroy Island depart at 8am, 11am and 1.30pm. The return legs on the Fitzroy Island ferry depart at 9.30am, 12.15pm and 5pm.

Fitzroy Island ferry prices and crossing time

The resort transfers on the Fitzroy Island ferry cost $90 return.

How far away from Cairns is Fitzroy Island?

The Cairns to Fitzroy Island ferry crossing takes 45 minutes. You need to check into the City Side Fitzroy Island office at 2/1 Spence Street at least 30 minutes prior to departure. For full details, visit the resort website. To book your day trip, get mobile-friendly tickets here.

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.

Search for discount deals here

Usually, there are no crocodiles on Fitzroy Island.