Is Green Island near Cairns any good for snorkelling?

Green Island near Cairns is a quick, convenient and relatively cheap destination for a snorkelling tour in Queensland – but the snorkelling tends to be better on the Outer Reef.

To skip the explanation and book a Green Island snorkelling tour, head this way.

Snorkelling on Green Island, Queensland

Green Island near Cairns does not offer the greatest snorkelling within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. If the best underwater viewings are your goal, pick a trip that heads to the Outer Reef, such as the Sunlover Cruises trip to Moore Reef (BOOK HERE) or the Evolution yacht cruise to Hastings Reef (BOOK HERE).

What a Green Island snorkelling cruise does offer is convenience. It’s the closest realistic snorkelling destination of any quality to Cairns, and day trips there tend to be much cheaper than those to the outer reef.

There’s also the option of spending some time exploring the island, which is not the case with outer reef trips.

You can walk through the island’s rainforest on a self-guided nature walk, swim in the resort pool or relax on the beach and soak up the tropical sunshine.

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.

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Green Island snorkelling tours

The simple way to get to Green Island is taking the Green Island ferry, but the Green Island snorkelling tour run by the Quicksilver Group arguably offers better value for money.

Costing $110, the Green Island snorkelling tour provides a glass bottom boat tour, plus snorkelling equipment. Mobile-friendly tickets with instant confirmation can be booked online.

The tour can last up to 12 hours, depending on which boat departures you pick.

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.

Quality of snorkelling at Green Island

The quality of snorkelling at Green Island is usually pretty good without being world class. There’s a healthy system of marine life, and you’ll likely see an impressive variety of coral and fish.

Underwater inhabitants around Green Island include colourful schools of tropical fish, giant clams, and sea turtles.