Boat Tours in Cairns: 15 Days Out With the Prices Attached

1.Full-Day Green Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,584 reviews · 8 hours · from $77Our pick

Take a modern catamaran from Cairns to Green Island National Park for a full day of beaches, reef snorkeling, and coral viewing. You can add a buffet lunch, semi-submarine ride, glass-bottom boat, or guided snorkel session. Crew members such as Zack, Kate, and Andrea have been praised for warm, helpful service.

“Was good, but while booking the included activities were not clear and we had some misunderstandings. As it states snorkeling and glass bottom boat cruise is included, however upon arrival it was a separate activity and should be paid for separately. Other than that, Green Island is worth seeing.”

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2.Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,467 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $183

Join Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom from Cairns for a full reef day aboard a fast 20-metre catamaran. You’ll visit Wonder Wall and Upolu Coral Cay, snorkel with marine guides, ride a glass-bottom boat, and choose optional certified or introductory scuba. Crew members such as Ollie, Paul, Tori, and Blair are praised for calm, careful instruction.

“I had a great diving time with ocean freedom. Ollie is a very nice diving instructor. He’s patient and attentive to detail. I felt safe and well taken care of throughout the dives. The staff were also great! They made the whole experience so enjoyable.”

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3.Green Island Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,284 reviews · 5 - 9 hours · from $73

Take a 45-minute catamaran from Cairns to Green Island, a 6,000-year-old coral cay with rainforest, white beaches, and reef life close to shore. Choose snorkelling gear or a glass bottom boat tour, then add a pool visit, crocodile habitat, or other activities. The day is self-guided, with clear boat times and friendly crew support.

“We liked the island . Glass bottom boat was very good , saw lots of fishes and varieties of corals . Did sea walking”

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4.Cairns Catamaran Harbour and Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 547 reviews · from $99

Board Spirit of Cairns at Marlin Marina at 6 pm for a calm-water evening cruise along the Cairns waterfront and Trinity Inlet. You get a complimentary drink, a hot and cold buffet with seafood and local produce, air-conditioned seating, open decks, and live entertainment. Allow about three hours, and notify the operator of dietary needs at least 24 hours ahead.

“This was a beautiful and relaxing rhe food was awsome and sitting on the deck wating the lights of Cairns was magical. Would highly recommend and will be going again”

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5.Cairns Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 429 reviews · from $63Top rated

Meet your captain at Marlin Marina for a 35-minute ride through Cairns’ Trinity Inlet. Expect fast runs, sharp spins, loud music, commentary, mangrove views, and plenty of spray. Captains such as Steve, Harry, Sam, and Belinda have helped make this a lively, personal outing. Minimum height is 110cm, and you should be ready to get soaked.

“An excellent adventure! While their day was busy with tours, we lucked out and where the only 2 folks signed up for our time slot. Other companies might have tried to talk us into switching or worse yet cancel. Instead, they welcomed us to our private tour! We had a fabulous time and as the only guests the camera was focused on us so we had to buy the extra photo package. Great ride - great company.”

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6.Green Island Half-Day Morning Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 417 reviews · 4 hours · from $77

Cruise 45 minutes from Cairns aboard the air-conditioned Reef Rocket to Green Island. Choose included snorkeling gear or a glass-bottom boat tour, then spend about two hours exploring coral gardens, swimming from the beach, or relaxing near the pool bar. English-speaking crew provide a snorkeling demonstration and help keep the short visit easy to manage.

“We liked everything from the smooth seamless boarding to the trilling ride to the island, my first time snorkeling so needed a quiet shallow area of the beach to get my confidence up, it was worth it, the water was crystal clear and depth was neck high at the most, lots of fishes, turtles and pickers if coral”

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7.Half-Day Afternoon Cruise to Green Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 403 reviews · 4 hours · from $77

I’ll take you by catamaran from Cairns to Green Island, a 600-year-old coral cay, for about two hours and 15 minutes ashore. Choose snorkel gear or a glass-bottom boat tour, then use your free time for the beach or rainforest walk. The ride takes about 45 minutes each way.

“Very enjoyable, staff wonderful. Glass bottom boat tour was fascinating. Would have liked a little more time on Green Island so we could see the crocodile show.”

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8.Snorkelling and Glass Bottom Boat at Green Island from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 386 reviews · from $107

Take a fast catamaran from Cairns to Green Island, the Great Barrier Reef’s only coral cay with rainforest. Your day includes snorkeling equipment, an unguided beach snorkeling session, a glass-bottom boat ride, an island walk, pool access, and return transfers. Guided snorkeling and other activities cost extra.

“A great trip - We’ve done it twice now. Be sure to go on glass bottomed boat trip and the snorkelling. The food establishments including those selling ice cream, seem to shut early - mid afternoon. Boat trip from Cairns to Green IslanRead more”

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9.Full Day Reef Cruise and 10 Minute Helicopter Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 340 reviews · from $283

Spend about eight and a half hours aboard Down Under Cruise and Dive’s Evolution, visiting two outer reef sites near Cairns. You’ll have up to five hours for snorkeling or an included introductory or certified scuba session, plus a 10-minute helicopter flight, BBQ lunch, equipment, and afternoon wine with cheese and crackers.

“One of the best travel experiences. The crew was also amazing! Such a great time and fun all around :)”

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10.Spirit of Cairns Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 336 reviews · 2h 30m · from $98

Spend 150 minutes aboard the Spirit of Cairns catamaran, cruising calm Trinity Inlet with a welcome drink, seafood buffet, local produce, and live music Sunday to Thursday. Enjoy air-conditioned dining inside, outdoor decks, and a licensed bar. Boarding is at Cairns Marlin Marina from 6:00pm, with departure at 6:30pm.

“It was such a fun evening on the water even tho it rained. The staff was amazing and the food was even better!! Must do!”

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11.Kuranda Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 325 reviews · from $21Best value

Join Kuranda Riverboat for a 45-minute cruise along the Barron River, with guides such as Warren, Gary, and Kym pointing out rainforest plants, freshwater crocodiles, turtles, water dragons, fish, snakes, and tropical birds. Five departure times make it easy to fit around the Kuranda Scenic Railway or Skyrail.

“The wildlife! Turtles, fish, birds, fresh water crocodile and especially seeing the cassowary and its chicks.”

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12.Snorkelling or Glass Bottom Boat at Green Island from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 282 reviews · from $87

Take a fast catamaran from Cairns to Green Island, a 6,000-year-old coral cay wrapped in rainforest. Choose beach snorkelling or a glass-bottom boat trip, then use the island pool, walk the forest paths, and enjoy the visitor facilities. Marine biologist Clarissa offers an informative reef talk on some departures.

“This trip is highly recommended for families who want to experience reef with high comfort. Very easy to navigate.”

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13.Green Island Full-Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 262 reviews · 6 hours · from $77

Sail from Cairns to Green Island on an air-conditioned catamaran, then split your time between coral viewing, snorkeling, a rainforest boardwalk, and white sand. Optional lunch, glass-bottom boat, and semi-submarine tours let you shape the day. The crossing takes about 45 minutes, and English-speaking guides lead the activities.

“Interesting day out to the reef. A 45 minute boat trip to Greenisland, lunch and then two trips around the reef. First on a glass bottom boat to see from above, then in a semi submersible to see from a fish eye point of view. There was plenty of good food for lunch and plenty of free time to swim and or explore the island.”

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14.Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 185 reviews · 1h 30m · from $50

Set out from Berth A1 at Cairns Marlin Marina for a 90-minute calm-water cruise through Trinity Inlet. Your English-speaking skipper, possibly Steve, Bruce, Joe, Jacob, Jack, or Stu, shares local stories about mangroves, wildlife, crocodiles, and Cairns. A beer, wine, or soft drink and a light savory snack are included.

“Great tour with a guide with fantastic local knowledge and history! Had a lovely time and recommend for all age groups.”

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15.Cairns Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 134 reviews · from $56

Set out from Berth A1 at Marlin Marina at 5:15 pm for a 90-minute Cairns River Cruises trip through Trinity Inlet. Your captain may be Belinda, Jack, Joe, Liam, Steve, Ben, Pat, or Stu. Expect calm water, mangroves, city lights, local stories, a drink, and a light snack. The vessel has a toilet and returns to the marina.

“Skipper Steve was wonderful. Unfortunately weather was not cooperative. It was 🌧 . It was Dec 13. It was a Friday 13th bad luck.”

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