Great Adventures' Green Island ferry transfer timetable as shown on its ferry page on 21 October 2026; it says you can choose any combination of the listed Cairns and Green Island times · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~45 min
Operator
Great Adventures (Great Adventures Cruises)
Map – Green Island Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, Great Adventures ferry transfer (return) | $112.00 |
| Child (4 to 14), Great Adventures ferry transfer (return) | $56.00 |
| Family (2 adults and up to 2 children), Great Adventures ferry transfer (return) | $287.00 |
| Adult, Big Cat transfer only (return) | $110.00 |
| Child, Big Cat transfer only (return) | $55.00 |
| Family, Big Cat transfer only (return) | $275.00 |
The ferry-only fares below are Great Adventures' 'Ferry Transfer' prices, shown on both its ferry page and its fares page, marked valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and including GST. The ferry page's icon labels the product a return transfer, so the fares are shown as return. Children aged 4 to 14 pay the child fare and under 4s travel free; the family fare covers at most 2 adults and 2 children of one family. The Government Environmental Management Charge of $8.50 for passengers aged 4 and over is stated to be included. The separate fuel surcharge on its fares page ($10 adult, $5 child) applies only to outer reef cruises and is not applicable to Green Island-only tours, but the page also says a surcharge may be applied for unforeseen circumstances and collected on departure. Big Cat's transfer-only fares are a different operator's product and are shown below the headline. All fares in Australian dollars (AUD).
Most results for 'Green Island ferry' turn out to be a reef tour with a boat attached. A plain transfer, where you pay only to get across and back and spend the day your own way, is sold by at least two operators from different Cairns wharves. The timetable on this page is the Great Adventures ferry transfer, which leaves the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1 Spence Street at 8:30 am or 10:30 am and returns from the island at 2:30 pm or 4:30 pm. Great Adventures says passengers can combine any of those times, which means up to 7 hours on the island or, per its FAQ, as little as about 2.5 hours. The ferry page puts the crossing at about 45 minutes, subject to weather, and Green Island Resort's page describes the island as 27 km east of Cairns.
The ferry-only fares, marked valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, are $112 for an adult, $56 for a child aged 4 to 14 and $287 for a family of two adults and up to two children, each as a return including GST. Under-4s travel free, and the $8.50 Environmental Management Charge is included. The fuel surcharge shown on the fares page is for outer reef cruises only, though the page also says a surcharge may be added for unforeseen costs and collected on departure.
Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises is the other transfer seller. It advertises a transfer-only return of $110 adult, $55 child and $275 family on 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm departures, leaving from Marlin Wharf, where its guests check in at the vessel. Its 9 am Big Cat vessel takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, while the smaller Reef Rocket takes about 45 minutes. Extras cannot be pre-booked on that fare.
The island is a National and Marine Park, so drones are not permitted and smoking is limited to one designated area near the Information Desk. Day-visitor toilets, showers and the swimming pool are included with the Great Adventures transfer, but snorkel gear and the glass bottom boat are not. Great Adventures also sells hotel coach transfers to Reef Fleet Terminal, with fares separate from the boat.
- Arrive at the terminal a few minutes before departure; vehicle boarding usually closes earlier.
- Check the operator's service alerts before travelling — weather, tides and river levels affect services.
- Confirm accepted payment methods and whether a booking is required for vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Great Adventures' ferry-only transfer is $112 for an adult, $56 for a child aged 4 to 14 and $287 for a family of two adults and up to two children, each as a return including GST, valid 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Under-4s are free. Big Cat's transfer-only return is $110, $55 and $275.
Great Adventures says the transfer takes approximately 45 minutes, subject to weather. Big Cat says its 9 am vessel takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and its faster Reef Rocket, used for half-day and 11 am departures, about 45 minutes.
Great Adventures' transfer leaves Cairns at 8:30 am and 10:30 am and leaves Green Island at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm, with arrival back in Cairns at about 3:20 pm and 5:20 pm. Big Cat lists transfer-only departures at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm.
For Great Adventures, at its counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns, to collect a boarding pass. Its ferry page says boarding is 30 minutes before departure, while its FAQ asks for check-in an hour before. Big Cat says guests check in at its vessels at Marlin Wharf.
Great Adventures says yes if there is availability: the crew at the Information Counter on the island can amend the return time. If the boat is fully booked you must use the return time you originally booked.
The transfer is the boat only, with day facilities on the island but no snorkel gear or glass bottom boat. Tours such as Great Adventures' Eco Tour ($127 adult) and Discovery Tour ($156 adult) bundle activities with the crossing, so they cost more and are priced separately.
Great Adventures lists the ferry transfer at $67.20 adult, $33.60 child and $172.20 family for locals showing ID at check-in. Its ferry page defines locals as living between Cooktown and Innisfail, while its locals page says Cooktown to Cardwell, so check which applies to you.
Great Adventures' FAQ says it has 2 departures daily from Cairns for Green Island cruises, and its pages describe no seasonal break. It also says schedules may be varied without notice, so poor weather can change a sailing.