4 Cairns Ferry Trips Worth Boarding

1.Fitzroy Island Ferry with Optional Lunch & Activity

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 796 reviews · 8 hours · from $59Our pick

Take Sunlover Reef Cruises from Cairns to Fitzroy Island for four-plus hours of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and rainforest walks. Choose a basic ferry day or add lunch, snorkel gear, and a glass-bottom boat ride. Guides such as Georgina and Carmen explain the reef and its fish during the glass-bottom cruise.

“Brilliant snorkelling - saw turtles and many Fish Great vegetarian boxed lunch”

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2.Fitzroy Island Ferry, optional lunch, tours, snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 216 reviews · from $69

Take Sunlover Reef Cruises from Cairns to Fitzroy Island for about 4.5 hours of free time. Swim from the beach, snorkel, walk to Nudey Beach, or follow rainforest trails. Choose a simple ferry ticket or add lunch, a glass-bottom boat ride, and snorkel gear. This is a self-guided island day, not a guided tour.

“Snorkeling with a turtle! Lunch not available. No tour.”

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3.Fitzroy Island Day Trip by Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 47 reviews · 10 hours · from $74Top rated

Take the Fitzroy Flyer from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, then set your own pace for about eight hours. Swim or snorkel at Welcome Bay, walk rainforest trails, tackle the summit walk, relax on the beach, or eat at the Bar and Cafe. The $74 fare includes return ferry transport, with snorkeling gear available if you select that option.

“The crew was so incredible. My partner and I spent a good chunk of the day unwell from sea sickness and they all took such good care of us - including fellow guests. The enthusiasm from the team as highlighted in many of the reviews with wavelength really made the experience so much better.”

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4.Fitzroy Island: Full-Day Ferry & Snorkel Safari Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 37 reviews · 10 hours · from $118

Take the 8:00 AM Fitzroy Flyer from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, then join the 10:00 AM guided snorkel safari with English-speaking staff. You get all-day snorkel hire, about eight hours on the island, time for beaches and rainforest trails, and a 5:00 PM ferry back. Guide Elisa has earned special praise for her help in the water.

“Enjoyed the snorkeling tour, staff were really helpful & pointed me in the right direction. The ferry could do with a bit of TLC but all good”

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