Green Island is just a 45 minute catamaran ride from Cairns making it a popular island destination for day trippers and guests who wish to sleep in a unique resort right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Due to its popularity it can become crowded at times but there are still many reasons that you should visit this island.
Green Island is located right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and despite its small size is one of the most popular destinations due to its impressive beauty and ease of access from the mainland.
Green Island boasts white sandy beaches, sapphire blue waters, a rainforest and fringing coral reefs surrounding the island. The island is a small coral cay with abundant bird life, coral gardens and over 120 native plants to explore on your holiday. It is also the only coral cay island to have a rainforest on it.
Green Island is a great holiday option for a variety of people especially families with young children. The activities available such as glass bottom boat tours, the underwater observatory, snorkelling and swimming in shallow waters, beach activities, short rainforest walks, fish feeding and more will keep the little ones happy.
For the adventurous, there are many other recreation activities on offer such as helmet diving, scuba diving, parasailing and helicopter flights. For those looking for a laid back holiday, you can simply relax or sunbathe on the picturesque beaches or by the pool if you are a resort guest.
There is no camping available on this island so if you wish to stay longer the only choice is the Green Island Resort. The resort offers comfortable and stylish island suite rooms that are nestled into the rainforest island setting. Rooms are spacious and private; perfect for couples and honeymooners. Guests have a choice of 3 restaurants to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner and the island activities desk will arrange your outer Great Barrier Reef excursions to explore the reef further.
If you are looking for peace and tranquillity though, I’m afraid this may not be the island for you. Green Island welcomes many day visitors from a variety of tours that can make the small island seem crowded at times. However, after the visitors depart the island around 4pm the resort is exclusive to guests who can enjoy sunset drinks, star gazing, fish feeding and night island walks.
To reach Green Island you must board a ferry service from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. There are at least three transfer services per day. Many tour operators also visit the island during the day as part of their journey to the outer Great Barrier Reef platform or as a stopover for several hours.
Green Island is a great choice for visitors wishing to stay in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef or island hop on a day tour. The close proximity to Cairns makes it very accessible and affordable for all travellers to reach. The island’s unique setting as a small coral cay with a thriving rainforest and abundance of marine life, species of birds and colourful coral make this island well worth a visit.
