Green Island and Fitzroy Island are Cairns' two most accessible reef islands — both roughly 45 minutes by fast catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal, both part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and both offering snorkelling, swimming, and rainforest. But that's where the similarities end. They're fundamentally different in geography, character, and the type of experience they offer.
Green Island is a small, flat coral cay — about 12 hectares — with white sandy beaches, shallow reef right off the shore, a resort with day-visitor facilities, and a range of organised activities. It's polished, accessible, and very popular with families and first-timers. Fitzroy Island is a large continental island — about 339 hectares — that was once connected to the mainland. It's mountainous, 97% national park, with hiking trails, boulder-strewn beaches, the famous Nudey Beach, and a turtle rehabilitation centre. It's wilder, more adventurous, and typically quieter.
This guide compares the two islands across every category that matters to help you decide which one — or both — to include in your Cairns itinerary.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Green Island | Fitzroy Island |
|---|---|---|
| Island type | Coral cay — flat, sandy, 12 hectares | Continental island — mountainous, 339 hectares |
| Distance from Cairns | 27 km (~45 min ferry) | 29 km (~45 min ferry) |
| Beaches | White sand, multiple beaches around the island, shallow wading areas | Coral-stone beaches at Welcome Bay; Nudey Beach (white coral sand, granite boulders) via 15-min walk |
| Snorkelling | Shallow reef off the beach, good for beginners; best near the jetty; boat snorkel tours to deeper sites | Fringing reef at Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach; generally better coral reported; sea turtles common |
| Hiking | Flat rainforest boardwalk; walk around the island in ~1 hour | Multiple trails: Nudey Beach (1.2 km return), Secret Garden (700 m return), Lighthouse & Summit (3.6–4 km return, 2–3 hrs, steep) |
| Wildlife | Sea turtles (green & hawksbill) off the beach; 120+ plant species; Marineland Melanesia (crocodiles, aquarium) | Sea turtles common; Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre; echidnas on trails; diverse birdlife |
| Day-visitor facilities | Resort pool (day-visitor access), restaurant, cafe, bar, shops, glass-bottom boat, semi-sub, underwater observatory | Foxy's Bar & Cafe (beachfront), General Store, glass-bottom boat; no pool access for day visitors |
| Activities | Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat, semi-sub, Seawalker helmet diving, intro/certified diving, parasailing, helicopter scenic flights | Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, guided snorkel tours, hiking, turtle centre |
| Accessibility | Flat terrain, pram/wheelchair accessible on main paths, shallow beach entry | Hilly terrain, not pram/wheelchair friendly; slightly steeper beach entry at Welcome Bay |
| Crowds | Busier — multiple ferry operators, more day-trippers, particularly in peak season | Quieter — fewer operators, the island absorbs visitors better due to its size |
| Overnight stays | Green Island Resort (46 suites, luxury) | Fitzroy Island Resort (various room types), plus council campground near the beach |
| Cultural significance | Known as Wunyami to the Gungandji people; historically used as an initiation ground | Gabar (Fitzroy Island) is part of the Sea Country of the Gungandji people |
Green Island — In Detail
Green Island is a true coral cay — formed over roughly 6,000 years by sand and coral rubble accumulating on a reef platform. It's the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest growing on it, which makes it ecologically unusual. But practically, what visitors notice is that it's small, flat, and very easy to get around. You can walk the entire island perimeter in about an hour.
The beaches are white sand — genuinely comfortable to lie on and wade from — which is a significant difference from Fitzroy. The water is shallow near the shore, making it easy for families with young children or nervous swimmers to enjoy the reef. The best snorkelling is near the bend in the jetty, where you'll find coral gardens, reef fish, and a good chance of seeing green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles feeding on seagrass close to shore.
Green Island's day-visitor infrastructure is well developed. The resort allows day-trippers to use its swimming pool, and there are multiple dining options: Emeralds Restaurant (sit-down), Canopy Grill, and Lite Bites cafe. Optional activities are plentiful — glass-bottom boat tours, semi-submersible rides, Seawalker helmet diving (walk on the sea floor in a helmet — no swimming ability required), introductory scuba diving, certified diving, boat snorkel tours to outer reef sites 1.5 km from the island, parasailing, and 10-minute helicopter scenic flights from the island's helipad.
Marineland Melanesia, a family-run attraction that has been on the island for over 40 years, houses Cassius — recognised as one of the world's largest captive crocodiles — along with an aquarium and a collection of Melanesian artefacts.
The main trade-off with Green Island is crowds. Multiple ferry operators bring large groups daily, and during peak season (June–October and school holidays), the island can feel quite busy. The commercial facilities and wide activity range are an advantage for families and those who want a structured, comfortable day, but visitors seeking solitude will find Fitzroy more appealing.
Fitzroy Island — In Detail
Fitzroy Island is a continental island — part of the mainland until rising sea levels separated it over 10,000 years ago. At 339 hectares, it's roughly 28 times the size of Green Island, and its peak rises to 375 metres. Almost the entire island (97%) is national park, covered in dense tropical rainforest that runs right down to the water's edge.
The main arrival point is Welcome Bay, where the jetty, resort, Foxy's Bar, and the beach hire hut are located. Welcome Bay's beach is coral stone rather than sand — beautiful to look at but less comfortable underfoot than Green Island's beaches. For proper sand, you walk the Nudey Beach Track (1.2 km return, about 15 minutes through rainforest) to reach Nudey Beach — a stunning white coral sand beach framed by granite boulders that has been rated among Australia's best beaches. Despite the name, it is not a nudist beach.
Snorkelling on Fitzroy is generally regarded as equal to or better than Green Island, particularly around Nudey Beach and Shark Fin Bay (named after a shark-shaped rock, not actual sharks). Sea turtles are common — green turtles in particular feed on seagrass around the island and are frequently spotted while snorkelling. The fringing coral reef is accessible directly from the shore.
Where Fitzroy really distinguishes itself is hiking. The island has four walking trails of varying difficulty. The Nudey Beach Track is the easiest (15 minutes, mostly flat through rainforest). The Secret Garden Track (700 m return, 20 minutes) is a short loop through dense rainforest. The Lighthouse and Summit Track (3.6–4 km return, 2–3 hours) is the main event — a steep climb on a concrete service road through rainforest to the island's lighthouse and summit, rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views across the Coral Sea, nearby islands, and on clear days all the way to the outer reef. This is one of the best short hikes accessible from Cairns.
The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a volunteer-run, non-profit facility that cares for sick and injured sea turtles. Guided talks run Tuesday–Sunday (check current times on arrival), with a small entry fee that goes directly to rehabilitation efforts. It's a worthwhile stop, especially for families.
Fitzroy's day-visitor facilities are more limited than Green Island's. Foxy's Bar & Cafe on the beachfront serves meals, drinks, and cocktails, and there's a General Store for basics. The resort pool is not available to day visitors. Water sports — kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel gear — can be hired from the beach hut. Glass-bottom boat tours are also available.
The overall feel of Fitzroy is wilder, quieter, and more nature-focused. Fewer ferry operators serve the island, so day-tripper numbers are lower. The island's size and trail network mean visitors spread out, and it's quite possible to find yourself alone on a trail or a stretch of beach.
Which Island Should You Choose?
Green Island
You're travelling with young children or family members with limited mobility — flat terrain, shallow water, resort pool, and plenty of dry activities mean everyone can enjoy the day regardless of swimming ability.
You want a wide range of organised activities — Seawalker, parasailing, helicopter flights, semi-sub, and intro diving are all available and easy to book on the day.
You're short on time — half-day tours from Cairns are available, giving you a reef island experience in just a few hours.
You prefer comfort and convenience — restaurants, a bar, shops, and resort facilities are all at hand.
Fitzroy Island
You enjoy hiking — the Summit Track alone makes Fitzroy worth the trip, and combining it with Nudey Beach and snorkelling makes for a seriously good day.
You prefer quieter, more natural settings — Fitzroy receives fewer visitors and feels less commercial. Nudey Beach can feel genuinely secluded.
You're a confident snorkeller — the fringing reef around Fitzroy is generally considered to have better coral, and sea turtle sightings are very common.
You want to feel like you've gone somewhere — the mountainous terrain, boulder-strewn coastline, and dense rainforest give Fitzroy a wilder, more remote character, even though it's just 45 minutes from Cairns.
Can You Visit Both?
If your Cairns itinerary is five days or longer, you can comfortably fit in both islands on separate days. There's no combined Green Island + Fitzroy Island tour (they're in different directions from Cairns), so they'd need to be separate day trips. Given how different the two islands are, visiting both gives you a much richer picture of the reef — one polished and accessible, the other wild and adventurous.
If you only have one island day, the choice comes down to your priorities: comfort and activities (Green) or nature and adventure (Fitzroy). There's no wrong answer.
Practical Tips for Both Islands
What to Bring
Swimwear, towel, reef-safe sunscreen (mineral-based — protect the coral), hat, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. For Fitzroy, closed-toe shoes or sturdy sandals if you plan to hike — the Summit Track is steep. Both islands have limited shade on the beaches, so sun protection is essential. Bring cash or card for food and activities. If visiting during stinger season (November–May), stinger suits are typically provided by tour operators or available on the island.
Snorkel Gear
Most Green Island packages include snorkel gear as part of the ferry deal. On Fitzroy, it depends on the package — some include gear, others charge for hire on the island. If you have your own mask and snorkel, bring them — you'll get a better fit and avoid any hire queues.
Food & Drink
Green Island has more food options (sit-down restaurant, cafe, bar). Fitzroy has Foxy's Bar and the General Store, but choices are more limited and slightly more expensive than on the mainland. Both islands allow you to bring your own food and drinks — packing a picnic and an esky is a smart, budget-friendly option, especially for Fitzroy.
Combining with the Outer Reef
Both islands can be combined with an outer reef trip in a single day. Great Adventures offers a Green Island + Outer Reef combo (2 hours on the island, then 3 hours at a pontoon on the outer reef). Sunlover offers a Fitzroy Island + Moore Reef Pontoon combo. These are long days but give you the island experience plus the deeper, more diverse outer reef in one outing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which island has better snorkelling?
Fitzroy Island generally has a better reputation for reef quality — visitors report more live coral and more frequent sea turtle sightings, particularly around Nudey Beach and Shark Fin Bay. Green Island's best snorkelling is near the jetty, where you can see coral gardens, reef fish, and often turtles. Both are inner-reef sites, so for the most spectacular coral diversity, an outer reef day trip is the way to go.
Which island is better for families with young kids?
Green Island. The flat terrain is pram-friendly, the beaches are sandy with gentle, shallow entries, the resort pool is available to day visitors, and there are plenty of dry activities (glass-bottom boat, semi-sub, Marineland) for children who aren't confident swimmers. Fitzroy's hilly terrain and coral-stone beaches are less suited to very young children, though older kids who enjoy hiking and snorkelling will love it.
How much does a day trip cost?
Ferry transfers to both islands cost roughly the same — around $80–130 per adult for a return transfer depending on the operator and inclusions (snorkel gear, glass-bottom boat, lunch). Packages that include activities are typically $120–180 per adult. Children's fares are usually around half the adult price. Optional extras (diving, helicopter flights, Seawalker) are additional. Check current prices with operators as they vary seasonally.
Can I do a half day?
Green Island is well set up for half days — multiple departure and return times allow you to spend as little as 2–3 hours on the island. Fitzroy has fewer ferry times, so a full day is more practical, but it's possible with certain departure combinations. If you only have half a day, Green Island is the easier choice.
Is Nudey Beach actually a nude beach?
No. Despite the name, Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island is not a designated nudist beach. The name's origin is debated — some attribute it to a historical figure, others to its past popularity with the Cairns counterculture. Either way, swimwear is expected.
Can I stay overnight on either island?
Yes. Green Island Resort is a luxury property with 46 suites — intimate and peaceful once the day-trippers leave, though it's at the higher end of the price range. Fitzroy Island Resort offers a wider range of room types at more varied price points, plus there's a council-managed campground near the beach. An overnight stay on either island gives you sunset, sunrise, and the island largely to yourself outside of ferry hours.
Which island is less crowded?
Fitzroy Island. Fewer ferry operators service the island, it's much larger, and visitors spread out across the trails and beaches. Green Island receives significantly more day-trippers, especially during peak season, and the small island can feel quite busy midday. If avoiding crowds is a priority, choose Fitzroy — or visit Green Island on an early ferry to get a head start.
Do I need to book in advance?
During peak season (June–October) and school holidays, booking at least a few days ahead is recommended for both islands. During the wet season and shoulder months, walk-up availability is more common, but advance booking ensures your preferred departure time. Outer reef combo tours and activity packages tend to sell out faster than basic ferry transfers.