Return Ferry Transfers
Spend The Day Your Way
Explore Fitzroy Island
Fun Day Trip From Cairns
Great Barrier Reef Ecosystems
Island Bushwalks
Visit The Famous Nudey Beach
Fun Add Ons Available
Venture offshore to the stunning Fitzroy Island on the Great Barrier Reef! This gorgeous tropical paradise near Cairns is the perfect place for a day trip from the mainland. Hop on a comfortable ferry and enjoy convenient return transfers from Cairns to Fitzroy Island.
Upon arriving, you have 6 hours of free time to explore the island at your leisure. Stroll through the dense rainforests on tranquil walking trails, relax on the white sands of Nudey Beach, or add-on optional activities like snorkel gear hire and a glass-bottom boat tour. However you choose to spend your day, you'll be blessed with the colourful and vibrant scenery of the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island.
Cruise from Cairns to Fitzroy Island
Depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns and cruise across the turquoise Coral Sea to Fitzroy Island! The boat ride is around 45 minutes and you'll get lovely views of the tropical ocean and islands. The vessel is a spacious, modern catamaran with plenty of seating areas and space to relax onboard. |
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Free time on Fitzroy Island
You'll have about 6 hours of free time to explore Fitzroy Island at your leisure. Check out the famous Nudey Beach, a tropical paradise of white sand and sapphire water fringed by towering palm trees. Or walk along some of the rainforest hiking trails to observe local flora and fauna. The day is yours, and you can pack your time full of activities or just relax on this beautiful Great Barrier Reef island. |
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Optional add-onsIf you want to add-on some fun activities to your time on Fitzroy Island, you can hire snorkel gear, book guided snorkel tours, or join a glass-bottom boat tour. These are all family-friendly activities that offer stunning views of the coral reefs and marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. After 6 hours of underwater exploration, beaches, and rainforests, the ferry will bring you back to Cairns. |
All extra activities are subject to availability.
All guests undertaking snorkel activities must be both confident snorkelers and swimmers, as well as able to understand English instructions.
*Prices are subject to changes without notice.
Boarding starts at 8:30 am for a 9:00 am departure. The Fitzroy Island Adventures Ferry is located at Finger A, Cairns Marlin Marina. You can check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal at 1 Spence Street.
The journey over to Fitzroy Island takes about 45 minutes.
Unfortunately Fitzroy Island Adventures does not offer hotel return transfers. You will need to make your own way to the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. It’s centrally located, and easy to walk to if you are staying in the city centre.
Fitzroy Island Adventures vessels are pram friendly. However, there are very limited paths on Fitzroy Island suitable for prams. You have to walk through the rainforest to get to Nudey beach, where the path has many stairs and rocks.
Day visitors not staying at the resort have access to all of the island including bathrooms, cold freshwater showers and Foxy’s Bar and Restaurant. Some facilities such as the pool, are reserved for in-house guests staying at Fitzroy Island Resort.
Reef sharks are quite common and are a wonderful sight to see. They are quite shy creatures, so don’t fret if you see one. It will likely swim away from you. Crocodiles prefer to hang around the murky waters of rivers, lakes and swamps. So the water is too clear for them out at Fitzroy Island. Stingers are present in the summer months, so it is highly recommended that you wear a stinger suit or full body protective swimwear to avoid being stung.
The beaches on Fitzroy Island are not patrolled by surf life savers. If you are not a confident swimmer, it is recommended you stay close to the shore and use flotation devices to assist when snorkelling. Fitzroy Island Adventures can provide these to you free of charge. Just ask the crew on board before you get to Fitzroy Island.
There is underground parking located at the Pier Shopping Complex/Shangri-La Hotel opposite the Reef Fleet Terminal. You can purchase a “Reef Parker” ticket for around $15 per day. Another option is to park at Trinity Wharf near the Cruise Liner Terminal and walk about 5 mins along the boardwalk.
There are plenty of activities you can do on Fitzroy Island! You can hire snorkel equipment, do a glass bottom boat tour, or even hire stand up paddle boards and kayaks. For the adventurous, maybe visit the lighthouse via one of the walking tracks, or perhaps relax on one of the beaches and soak up the sun, or simply take a nap in the shade!
Fitzroy Island is located in Tropical North Queensland, so the water temperature is very pleasant all year round. Approximate average water temperatures throughout the year range from 29C/83F in December - February (summer), to 22C/76F in June - August (winter).
Stephanie Werner
Aug, 06 2022
Alexandra Werner
Aug, 06 2022
Spent the whole day lying on Nudie Beach, it was too beautiful to leave and do anything else
Rebecca Barlow
Aug, 01 2022
Lots of fun, no turtles sadly but loved the snorkeling and some lovely walks!
Sophie Deuerling
Jul, 29 2022
A great day on Fitzroy and we didn't even go snorkeling, stayed on Nudie Beach sunbathing all day!
Calum Burgess-Wylie
Jul, 21 2022
I keep going back to Fitzroy and I love it. It's such a great place for wildlife: argus monitors run along the beaches, carpet pythons hide in the trees, beautiful birds fly overhead, and I have never had a trip to the island without seeing turtles. Wonderful place!
Joe Sambell
Jun, 28 2022
I really liked Fitzroy but I wish the weather had been a little better on the day I went. Quite windy so the visibility in the water was not 100%. That being said it's still a very pretty place with some nice beaches and pretty walks. Will just have to go back on a sunnier day.
James Greenwood
Jun, 15 2022
Fitzroy is a really nice island with some very pleasant walks. The hill walk is a little steep and exposed when sunny so take water and wear a hat! I think the snorkeling is a little better at Green Island but Fitzroy still has some nice spots and so many turtles.
Matt Klocke
May, 20 2022
The hill walk is really good, then just relaxed on the beach with a cider and a bowl of chips, I had a really nice day
Andrea Bianchi
May, 10 2022
Very nice place. So warm and sunny and the beach is so pretty. I even see turtles!
I had a great time. Got a little sunburnt lying on Nudie Beach all day though, loved having a lazy day!