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Aerial view of Fitzroy Island, its rainforest-covered peak and coral beaches, off Cairns

Fitzroy Island · 45 minutes from Cairns

Fitzroy Island ferry & day trips from Cairns

A rainforest national park on the Great Barrier Reef, 45 minutes from Cairns by fast catamaran. Snorkel straight off the beach, walk to Nudey Beach or climb to the summit, then take the 3:30pm boat home.

Quick Answer

The Fitzroy Island ferry leaves the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns daily at 8:45am and 10:15am, takes about 45 minutes, and returns from the island at 3:30pm. A return ferry is $109 per adult ($63 child, $281 family), with no fuel surcharge. Day packages add snorkel hire, the glass bottom boat or a lunch box from $134, and Reef & Island in a Day adds the Outer Reef on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Book Transfers →Book Package →
Departs daily 8:45am & 10:15amEcotourism Australia Hall of Fame memberOperating from Cairns since 1991
Acknowledgement of Sea Country

Fitzroy Island lies within the land and Sea Country of the Gunggandji people, the Traditional Custodians. We acknowledge their deep and continuing connection to the island 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.

Ways to visit · from $109

Choose your Fitzroy Island day ferry, package or reef and island

Every price is the full price per person, with no fuel surcharge. Family = 2 adults + 2 children, and the second child travels free (ages 4–15, not with locals deals).

On specialBest of Island $166 per adult until 31 March 2027

Swipe to see all 4 options →

Sunlover fast catamaran ferryFerry only

Ferry Only

Return fast catamaran from Cairns. Hire snorkel gear or add activities on the island.

  • Adult$109
  • Child4–15 yrs$63
  • Family2 adults + 2 children$281

One way $54.50 adult · $31.50 child

Book ferry →Book a one-way transfer
Aerial view of Fitzroy Island and Welcome BayDay package

Island Essentials

Return ferry plus your choice of one: snorkel hire, glass bottom boat tour or lunch box.

  • Adult$134
  • Child4–15 yrs$85
  • Family2 adults + 2 children$353

Add extras at checkout

Book now →
Picnic lunch box on Fitzroy IslandDay package

Island Value

Return ferry, a fresh lunch box, and your choice of snorkel hire or a glass bottom boat tour.

  • Adult$166
  • Child4–15 yrs$110
  • Family2 adults + 2 children$442

Add extras at checkout

Book now →
Glass bottom boat tour at Fitzroy IslandOn special

Best of Island

Return ferry, full-day snorkel hire, glass bottom boat tour and a fresh lunch box.

  • Adult$166
  • Child4–15 yrs$110
  • Family2 adults + 2 children$442

Special until 31 March 2027 · usual $202 / $137 / $541

Book now →

See the lunch box menu (PDF). Add-on activities are charged separately. Want to compare everything on one booking page? See every Fitzroy Island option →

Ferry timetable

Fitzroy Island ferry times from Cairns

The fast catamaran leaves the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns twice daily and takes about 45 minutes. Choose your boat when you book. The early boat gives you more time on the island.

8:45AM
Early boatDepart Cairns, on the island by 9:30am
10:15AM
Standard boatDepart Cairns, on the island by 11:00am
3:30PM
Fitzroy IslandReturn boat departs
4:30PM
CairnsBack at the Cairns Marina
Early departure

About 6 hours on the island

Check-in 7:45–8:30amDeparts 8:45am
  • 7:45amCheck-in opens at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns
  • 8:30amCheck-in closes and boarding begins
  • 8:45amDepart Cairns
  • 9:30amArrive Fitzroy Island
  • 3:15pmReturn boarding begins
  • 3:30pmDepart Fitzroy Island
  • 4:30pmArrive back at the Cairns Marina
Standard departure

About 4.5 hours on the island

Check-in 8:45–10:00amDeparts 10:15am
  • 8:45amCheck-in opens at the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns
  • 9:30amBoarding begins
  • 10:00amCheck-in and boarding close
  • 10:15amDepart Cairns
  • 11:00amArrive Fitzroy Island
  • 3:15pmReturn boarding begins
  • 3:30pmDepart Fitzroy Island
  • 4:30pmArrive back at the Cairns Marina

Ferry only? A return transfer is $109 adult, $63 child or $281 family, and one way is $54.50 adult or $31.50 child. How to get to the Reef Fleet Terminal →

About Fitzroy Island

A granite island wrapped in rainforest

Fitzroy Island is an ancient granite continental island 45 minutes off Cairns by fast catamaran. It rises straight from the sea as a rainforest-covered national park, fringed by coral reef you can snorkel straight off the beach.

01Where it is

Inside the Marine Park

Off Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area.

02The island

A rainforest national park

Much of the island is Fitzroy Island National Park, with walking tracks, coral beaches and fringing reef off Welcome Bay.

03Staying overnight

Day trip or longer

Fitzroy Island Resort has accommodation on the island. The ferry runs every day, so you can come for the day or stay longer.

04Sea Country

Gunggandji Country

The island is the Sea Country of the Gunggandji people, the Traditional Custodians.

On the island

Things to do on Fitzroy Island

Fitzroy Island is a national park you can explore at your own pace. Some experiences are included in your package; others you can add when you book.

Swipe for more things to do →

Nudey Beach on Fitzroy IslandWalk

Nudey Beach

About 45 minutes return on the Nudey Beach track from the resort brings you to a beach of white coral rubble and granite boulders. Despite the name, it is not a nude beach.

Snorkelling the fringing reef at Fitzroy IslandSwim

Snorkel the fringing reef

Welcome Bay's coral starts metres from the sand. Look for parrotfish, wrasse and green sea turtles. Snorkel hire is in Best of Island, can be chosen with Essentials or Value, or hire it on the island.

Glass bottom boat tour at Fitzroy IslandStay dry

Glass bottom boat

See the fringing reef without getting wet. A relaxed way for all ages to spot coral, fish and turtles.

Guests with a Sunlover guide on the rainforest walk to the Secret Garden, Fitzroy IslandHike

Walk the island tracks

4 national park walks, from the 25-minute Secret Garden track through rainforest to the 3-hour Summit track climb to 269 m. Wear sturdy shoes.

Visitors at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Fitzroy Island, looking into the turtle poolAdd-on $23

Turtle Talk

Meet the patients at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on the island. 100% of ticket sales are donated to the centre.

Guided snorkel tour on the fringing reefAdd-on $65

Guided snorkel tour

Explore the fringing reef with a marine biologist. $65 adult, $45 child or $175 family.

Also available: a guided rainforest walk ($42 per person). Choose add-ons at checkout, after you select adults and children. The Turtle Talk and rainforest walk run at set times on the day.

Know before you go

Plan your island day

A little planning makes a big difference on Fitzroy Island. Here is how to get the most from your day.

01Beaches

Coral, not sand

Nudey Beach and the island's shoreline are white coral rubble and granite boulders rather than soft sand. Water shoes or reef booties make walking in and out of the water much more comfortable.

02Conditions

They change through the day

Wind, tide and season affect where the water is clearest and calmest. Ask our crew when you arrive and they will point you to the best spot for the conditions.

03What to bring

Pack for the island

Swimmers, a towel, hat, sunscreen, water shoes, sturdy shoes for the tracks, a water bottle, and cash or card for Foxy's Bar and the kiosk. Lockers are available on the island.

Walking tracks on Fitzroy Island

4 national park walks, from an easy stroll to the summit climb. Wear sturdy shoes and take water.

TrackDistanceDifficultyTime (return)
Secret Garden track700 mModerate25 minutes
Nudey Beach track1.2 kmModerate45 minutes
Lighthouse Road3.6 kmDifficult2 hours
Summit track4 kmDifficult3 hours

Distances and times from Queensland Parks, checked November 2026. Download our free Nudey Beach self-guided walk before you go, or scan the QR code on the island map when you arrive. The glass bottom boat and all guided tours meet near the jetty.

Download the self-guided walk
Map of Fitzroy Island walking tracks: Summit track 4 km, Secret Garden 700 m, Lighthouse Road 3.6 km and Nudey Beach 1.2 km, with the jetty, toilets, Foxy's Bar, snorkelling areas and tour meeting points

The island walks from the air

Tap a map to open it full size.

Aerial photo of Fitzroy Island with the 4 national park walks drawn on: Lighthouse Road to the lighthouse, the Summit track to the 269 m summit lookout, the Secret Garden track and the Nudey Beach track, plus Little Fitzroy Island, the camping area, Fitzroy Island Resort, the jetty and Welcome Bay
The whole island: Lighthouse Road, the Summit track, the Secret Garden track and the Nudey Beach track.
Aerial photo of Welcome Bay on Fitzroy Island showing where the walks start: the camping area for Lighthouse Road and the Summit track, the Secret Garden track, and the Nudey Beach track to Nudey Beach, with Fitzroy Island Resort, the jetty and the fringing reef
Welcome Bay: where each walk starts.
Want the reef too?

Add the Outer Reef to your island day

Spend the morning at Moore Reef on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, then the afternoon on Fitzroy Island, all in one day from Cairns.

Guests at lunch overlooking Welcome Bay on Fitzroy IslandOne day

Reef & Island in a Day

Moore Reef pontoon in the morning, buffet lunch and island time on Fitzroy in the afternoon. Departs 8:00am, back by 4:30pm. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (more days in peak periods).

  • Adult$347
  • Child4–15 yrs, 50% off until 31 March 2027$97.50
  • Family2 adults + 2 children$889

Fuel levy included

See Reef & Island →
Aerial view of Sunlover's Moore Reef pontoon on the Outer Great Barrier ReefTwo days

Best of Island + Moore Reef

The complete experience over 2 days: a full day at the Moore Reef pontoon and a Best of Island day on Fitzroy.

  • Adult$443
  • Child4–15 yrs$271
  • Family2 adults + 2 children$1,157

Booked through our reservations team

Contact reservations →

Why book with Sunlover

Hall of Fame

Ecotourism Australia

Recognised in the Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame.

Certified

Ecotourism Certified

Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia — independently audited.

Reef experts

Marine-biologist-guided

Guided snorkel tours led by marine biologists — reef interpretation from the people who study it.

Since 1991

Cairns operator

Locally owned, with daily departures to Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island from the Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns.

FAQs

Fitzroy Island — FAQs

Ferry times, prices and what to expect, or talk to our Cairns reservations team.

Other Sunlover experiences

Good to know

How much is a day trip to Fitzroy Island?
Packages start at $134 per adult for Island Essentials, including return ferry and your choice of snorkel hire, a glass bottom boat tour or a lunch box. No fuel surcharge applies to Fitzroy Island tours.
How long is the ferry to Fitzroy Island?
Around 45 minutes each way aboard our fast catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns.
Where does the Fitzroy Island ferry leave from?
The Reef Fleet Terminal at 1 Spence Street, Cairns. Check in is at the Sunlover Reef Cruises desk inside the terminal.
What time does the Fitzroy Island ferry leave?
Our ferry leaves the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns at 8:45am and 10:15am daily, arriving at Fitzroy Island at 9:30am and 11:00am. The return ferry leaves Fitzroy Island at 3:30pm and arrives back in Cairns at 4:30pm.
How much is the Fitzroy Island ferry?
A return ferry transfer is $109 per adult, $63 per child or $281 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. One-way tickets are $54.50 per adult and $31.50 per child. No fuel surcharge applies.
Is snorkelling equipment included?
The Best of Island package includes full-day snorkel hire. Island Value lets you choose snorkel hire or a glass bottom boat tour, and Island Essentials lets you choose one of snorkel hire, the glass bottom boat or a lunch box. Ferry-only guests can hire snorkel gear on the island.
Can locals get a discount?
Yes. Cairns locals (48** postcodes) receive 30% off the standard rate, and visiting friends and family travelling with a local receive the same rate.
Can I add extra activities to my package?
Yes. When you book, choose your number of adults and children, then select the optional activities available for your package — the Turtle Rehabilitation visit ($23), a guided snorkel tour ($65 adult) or a guided rainforest walk ($42). The Turtle Rehabilitation visit and rainforest walk run at set times on the day. Add-on extras are charged separately. All Turtle Talk ticket sales are donated to the rehabilitation centre.
Is Fitzroy Island good for families?
Very. Calm swimming at Welcome Bay, short walking tracks, the glass bottom boat and the turtle centre make it one of the easiest reef days out with kids. Even better — when 2 adults and 2 children (4–15 years) travel together, the second child travels free. Not available with locals deals. Infants 0–3 travel free but must be included in your booking.
Are the beaches on Fitzroy Island sandy?
Fitzroy Island's beaches, including Nudey Beach, are made of white coral rubble and granite boulders rather than soft sand — bright and beautiful, and part of what makes the island unique. Water shoes or reef booties are recommended for comfort walking in and out of the water.
What walking tracks are there on Fitzroy Island?
There are 4 national park walks: the Secret Garden (700 m, 25 minutes return), Nudey Beach (1.2 km, 45 minutes return), Lighthouse Road (3.6 km, around 2 hours return) and the Summit track (4 km, around 3 hours return). Wear sturdy shoes and carry water. A free self-guided walk guide is available to download.
Is Sunlover an environmentally certified operator?
Yes. Sunlover Reef Cruises holds Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia — independently audited and held continuously for over 20 years — and is an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member.
Where is Fitzroy Island?
Fitzroy Island is off the coast of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is 45 minutes from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns by fast catamaran.
Is Fitzroy Island part of the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes. Fitzroy Island sits inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area, with fringing coral reef you can snorkel straight off the beach at Welcome Bay.
Is Fitzroy Island a national park?
Much of the island is Fitzroy Island National Park: rainforest walking tracks to the Summit, the Lighthouse and Nudey Beach, managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Can you stay overnight on Fitzroy Island?
Yes. Fitzroy Island Resort has accommodation on the island. Sunlover runs the ferry every day, so you can book a one-way or return ferry for a longer stay.
What is there to do on Fitzroy Island?
Snorkel the fringing reef, swim at Welcome Bay, walk to Nudey Beach or the Summit, take a glass bottom boat tour, and visit the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. Guided snorkel tours and rainforest walks can be added when you book.
Can I visit the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island in one day?
Yes. Reef & Island in a Day spends about 2.5 hours at Sunlover’s Moore Reef pontoon on the Outer Reef, then cruises to Fitzroy Island for a buffet lunch and island time, back in Cairns by 4:30pm. It departs Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (more days in peak periods). Adults $347, children $97.50 until 31 March 2027, family $889, fuel levy included. See Reef & Island in a Day
Snorkelling the fringing reef at Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island

Ready for island time?

Departures daily from Cairns at 8:45am and 10:15am, back by 4:30pm.

Return ferry $109 · day packages from $134 · no fuel surcharge

Book Fitzroy Island →
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