A Fitzroy Island day trip is one of the easiest Great Barrier Reef escapes you can make from Cairns. It is a rainforest-covered national park rising straight out of the Coral Sea, ringed by coral reef you can snorkel straight off the beach — and it is only 45 minutes away by fast catamaran. This guide covers everything you need to plan your day: how to get there, what to do once you arrive, what to bring, and the best time to go.
New for this season: you can now choose between two daily departure times, including a new early boat that gives you 1.5 more hours on the island.
Fitzroy Island at a glance
- Distance from Cairns: 45 minutes by fast catamaran
- Departures: 8:45am and 10:15am, departing daily from the Reef Fleet Terminal
- Island time: up to 6 hours on the early departure
- Status: national park island on the Great Barrier Reef
- Day packages: from more hours on the island. 24, snorkel gear included
Getting to Fitzroy Island from Cairns
Sunlover Reef Cruises departs daily from the Reef Fleet Terminal in the heart of Cairns. The crossing takes 45 minutes on a fast, air-conditioned catamaran.
There are now two departures to choose from. The new early departure leaves Cairns at 8:45am and has you on the island by 9:30am — about 6 hours of island time. The standard departure leaves at 10:15am and arrives at 11:00am, giving you around 4.5 hours. Both boats leave the island at 3:30pm and have you back at the Cairns Marina by 4:30pm. You can compare the two departure times here and pick the day that suits you.
| Departure | Leaves Cairns | On the island | Island time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early (new) | 8:45am | 9:30am | 6 hours |
| Standard | 10:15am | 11:00am | 4.5 hours |
Why Fitzroy Island is worth your day
Fitzroy Island packs more variety into a single day than almost anywhere else on the Great Barrier Reef. It is an ancient granite continental island, which means real height, real rainforest and real walking tracks — not just a sand cay. The fringing reef starts metres from the shore, so you do not need a long boat ride to see coral and fish. And because most of the island is protected Fitzroy Island National Park, it stays quiet, green and unspoiled.
Things to do on Fitzroy Island
Relax on Nudey Beach
Regularly named among Australia’s best beaches, Nudey Beach is a short walking track from the jetty. Its mix of white coral sand, smooth granite boulders and clear turquoise water makes it the most photographed spot on the island. Go early for the calmest water and the fewest people — another reason the 8:45am departure is popular.
Snorkel straight off Welcome Bay
The fringing reef at Welcome Bay begins just off the beach, so you can wade in and be over coral gardens within minutes. Expect parrotfish, wrasse, giant clams and — if you are lucky — a passing turtle. Our guided snorkel tours are led by marine biologists who know this reef in detail, and full snorkel gear hire is included in day packages.
Walk the rainforest tracks
Shaded national park tracks wind through the island’s rainforest. The most rewarding is the Summit Track — a solid climb, but the view across the Coral Sea from the top is worth every step. Prefer something gentler? The shaded Secret Garden track is an easy stroll through the rainforest floor. Bring walking shoes and water if the summit is on your list.
Take the glass bottom boat tour
If you would rather stay dry, the glass bottom boat tour shows you the reef from above — coral, fish and the occasional turtle, with commentary along the way. It is included in most day packages and is a favourite with families and first-time reef visitors.
Lunch with a view
You will not go hungry. Many guests add the Reef & Island Buffet at Zephyr’s Restaurant to their day package and eat overlooking the water — or keep it simple and bring a picnic for the beach. Either way, lunch on an island beats lunch at a desk.
Visit the turtle rehabilitation centre
Fitzroy Island is home to a turtle rehabilitation centre where sick and injured sea turtles recover before returning to the reef. Meeting the patients is a highlight for many visitors — check tour times when you arrive on the island.
A perfect 6-hour Fitzroy Island itinerary
Take the 8:45am departure and the day plans itself. Here is an easy rhythm that fits everything in without ever feeling rushed:
- 9:30am — Arrive on the island and get your bearings.
- 9:45am — Snorkel Welcome Bay while the water is at its calmest and the fish are busiest.
- 11:30am — Take the walking track to Nudey Beach for photos and a swim.
- 12:45pm — Lunch — the buffet at Zephyr’s or a picnic on the sand.
- 1:30pm — Glass bottom boat tour, or climb the Summit Track if you have the legs for it.
- 3:00pm — One last swim before boarding.
- 3:30pm — Depart the island. Back at the Cairns Marina by 4:30pm.
What to bring
- Swimmers and a towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- Walking shoes if you plan to climb the Summit Track
- A water bottle
- A camera — Nudey Beach will demand it
Snorkel gear is included in day packages, so there is no need to bring your own.
Best time to visit Fitzroy Island
A Fitzroy Island day trip works year-round. The winter months from June to October bring mild temperatures and famously clear water. Summer is warm and tropical — and the best answer to the heat is simple: take the early boat. Arriving at 9:30am means you swim, walk and explore in the freshest part of the day.
About Fitzroy Island: an island with real substance
Fitzroy Island is a continental island around 29 kilometres southeast of Cairns. It was once part of the mainland — when sea levels rose after the last ice age, the ocean surrounded what is now the island, leaving a granite peak wrapped in rainforest and ringed by coral. That origin is what makes a Fitzroy Island day trip feel so different from a pontoon or sand cay: there is height to climb, forest to walk through and shade to rest in, as well as reef to snorkel.
Most of the island is protected national park inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is why it stays so green and unspoiled. Keep an eye out for tropical birds and butterflies along the walking tracks, and for turtles cruising the fringing reef just off the beach.
Koba — respecting Country
Fitzroy Island is known as Koba to the Gunggandji people, the Traditional Custodians of this land and Sea Country. We acknowledge their deep and continuing connection to Koba and the surrounding reef, and we pay our respects to Gunggandji Elders past and present. We are privileged to share this remarkable place with our guests.
Fitzroy Island FAQs
How far is Fitzroy Island from Cairns?
The crossing from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns takes 45 minutes by fast catamaran, departing daily.
What time do the boats depart?
There are two daily departures from Cairns: the new early departure at 8:45am and the standard departure at 10:15am. Both return from the island at 3:30pm. See the full departure timetables here.
How long do you get on a Fitzroy Island day trip?
Around 6 hours on the early departure, or about 4.5 hours on the standard departure.
Is Fitzroy Island good for families?
Yes — calm bays for swimming, the glass bottom boat, easy walking tracks and the turtle centre make it one of the most family-friendly days on the reef. Family pricing is available on day packages.
Do I need to book ahead?
We recommend it, especially in peak season — the early departure is the first to fill. See current Fitzroy Island packages and prices here, with day packages from $124.
Is Fitzroy Island part of the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes — the island sits within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and the fringing coral around its beaches is part of the reef system itself. You are snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef straight off the sand.
Is there food on the island?
Yes. Many guests add the Reef & Island Buffet at Zephyr’s Restaurant to their day package, or you can bring your own picnic.
Can I bring my own snorkel gear?
Of course — though hire is already included in day packages, so you can travel light if you prefer.
Plan your Fitzroy Island day trip
Pick your boat, pick your package, and the island does the rest. Compare the two departure times to decide how much island time you want, then choose your package — every option includes return ferry travel from Cairns, departing daily from the Reef Fleet Terminal. Prefer the outer reef instead? See our Moore Reef day trips.
