What makes it 83% Kids-Friendly: School-age children can travel for a child fare, borrow kid-sized snorkel sets, watch fish feeding from the glass-bottom boat and explore safe boardwalks, but parents must closely supervise in open water and sun.
Why 0.5-1 day visit duration is ideal for with kids: Allows time for the cruise, beach snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tour, rainforest walk and a relaxed lunch without rushing younger kids.
Beach Snorkeling:
Snorkel off Green Island’s shore to see coral and fish meters away.
Tip: Fit masks on land and use flotation vests for safety.
Glass-Bottom Boat Tour:
Join a 30-minute coral tour and fish-feeding show without getting wet.
Tip: Sit at the front for the clearest view and bring a camera.
Semi-Submarine Ride:
Explore deeper reef life through large windows in an air-conditioned cabin.
Tip: Book your spot early to avoid sold-out sessions.
Rainforest Boardwalk:
Stroll self-guided trails through Green Island’s tropical forest.
Tip: Wear closed shoes and insect repellent for comfort.
Beach Play & Picnic:
Build sandcastles or relax under a hired umbrella on the white sand.
Tip: Reserve an umbrella in advance to secure shade.

Christine's Photographs
I recently did a day tour to Green Island with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! The staff were friendly, professional and full of helpful information about the reef and the local wildlife. I particularly enjoyed Anzac's marine biology talks on the way to Green Island and back. The boat was comfortable and well-maintained, making the trip smooth and ...
Mitchell
My wife and I had a great time with the crew visiting Green Island. Highly recommend the full day tour with snorkeling of the reefs, the glass boat and adventuring around the island. Crew on board were friendly and knowledge and helped us feel safe.
Aditi Gupta
We took the half day tour and it was perfect for my family. We picked from a mix of glass bottom tour, semi sub, and snorkeling. For beginners, a half day gives you enough time to snorkel at both beaches on Green Island + the semi sub. Alternatively, you can do the glass bottom boat + semi sub if you’d rather not swim. We saw turtles, sting rays, and hundreds of fish on the semi-sub; saw fewer fis...
Jenny Stephens
I loved every second of it. The Great Barrier Reef has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I finally got the chance to come to Cairns to see it. I was told scuba diving on the outer reef was the best to do, but most tours required a scuba licence or gave a lot of training time and little scuba time. This tour offered the outer reef with a marine biologist whilst still snorkelling as an add...
Janice Gardiner
Most amazing time with big cat green Island cruise & team. The team are outstanding, happy to help & go out of their way to make you feel included. The cruise is a full day we had a family of 6 & a infant, everyone was full from the buffet lunch & everything was beautifully timed. I would recommend bringing something for shade & something to snack on if you don't have a good breakfast before hand.
During stinger season (Nov–May), have kids wear lycra suits and apply reef-safe sunscreen. In cooler months (Apr–Oct), complimentary lycra suits keep children warm in the water.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Family buffet lunch (2 adults + 2 kids) | AUD 103 |
| Marineland Melanesia entry (2 adults @25, 2 kids @12.5) | AUD 75 |
| Beach-umbrella & sun-lounge hire | AUD 20 |
| Total Estimated | AUD 198 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
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