Guided Tours

Cairns to Fitzroy Island Half-Day Cruise With Activity Upgrades

Boats near the shore of Fitzroy Island with lush green hills in the background.

Tourists walking along a sandy beach on Fitzroy Island, surrounded by lush greenery and ocean views.

Snorkeler exploring coral reef at Fitzroy Island, Australia.

Tourists on a glass bottom boat viewing marine life during Fitzroy Island tour from Cairns.

Duration

2 hrs 30 mins - 4 hrs 15 mins

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers available

Experience Fitzroy Island in just half a day, perfect for a quick visit from Cairns to explore its beauty.

Travel aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran that serves as your base, offering comfort and convenience while you explore the island’s beauty.

Enjoy over two hours of free time to snorkel vibrant coral reefs, relax on stunning coral beaches, or wander rainforest trails at your own pace.

Upgrade your experience by adding both snorkeling gear and a glass-bottom boat tour, or include a delicious lunch for the ultimate hassle-free adventure.

Half-day trip to Fitzroy Island

Round-trip ferry transfers from Cairns

Up to 2 hours on Fitzroy Island

Self-guided walk of National Park

Picnic lunch (menu here) (if option selected)

Guided glass-bottomed boat tour (if option selected)

Snorkel Safari with marine biologist (if option selected)

Snorkelling equipment, lycra suits, and flotation vests (if option selected)

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

747 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Shayne N
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
Lovely island, great trip out and back and glassbottom boat a highlight.
Sumit M
Group
Verified booking
Sep 2025
Fitzroy is such a stunning island! It was a great experience for the half day trip. Would totally recommend if you don't have the time for a full day trip.
Anna W
Family
Verified booking
Aug 2025
Easy to book. Great boat, steady ride, helpful staff
Bev C
Couple
Verified booking
Feb 2026
Abbas M
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2026

Enjoy a quick escape to Fitzroy Island with this half-day cruise, perfect for those who want a shorter yet unforgettable island adventure. Hop aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran for a smooth 45-minute ride from Cairns to Welcome Bay. Once you arrive, you’ll have over two hours to explore the island’s highlights. Choose between snorkeling gear or a glass-bottom boat tour to discover the fringing coral reefs teeming with marine life. You can also take a self-guided rainforest walk or relax on the coral beaches at your own pace.

This half-day option is ideal for travelers who want flexibility and convenience while still experiencing Fitzroy Island’s beauty. With snorkeling equipment or boat tours included and access to rainforest trails and beaches, it’s a quick yet rewarding way to soak up this tropical paradise!

What to bring

Bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, swimwear, towel, and cash or credit for additional purchases on the island.

Sandals or reef shoes are recommended, as the beach is covered in old coral.

What's not allowed

Due to island restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

Due to the sensitive environment, the use of sunscreens and insect repellents is not recommended, as these products may be harmful to waterways and reefs.

Guests are prohibited from bringing their own alcohol for consumption. The island offers a bottle shop service from Foxy's bar and maintains a small general store for some basic goods.

Safety is a priority, so the Snorkel Safari is restricted for guests aged under 6 years.

Accessibility

While the ferry is accessible for wheelchairs and pram/strollers, some walks including the one to Nudey Beach, can be steep and not suitable.

The glass bottom boat tour is not accessible by wheelchair.

Additional information

Children aged under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

The picnic lunch consists of a fresh wrap, a sandwich, a seasonal fruit piece, a muesli fruit bar, juice, and a bottle of water.

Surf lifesavers do not monitor or patrol the beaches on Fitzroy Island.

Marine stingers are present in tropical waters from November to May. Guests are provided with stinger suits when they hire snorkel gear.

The picnic lunch can be catered to various dietary requirements such as vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, etc. Guests who book lunch should contact the company to confirm their lunch order at least 24 hours before departure.

A refundable cash deposit of $50 is required for all rented snorkel gear. The deposit will be returned upon the complete and undamaged return of the equipment.

The Snorkel Safari is suitable for those comfortable in the water and competent snorkelers.

Fitzroy Island National Park features four primary walking trails, varying in duration from 30 minutes to 3 hours and catering to different fitness levels.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.