Green Island

Green Island is a 12 hectare coral cay sitting on a 660 hectare reef platform in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, 27 kilometres north-east of Cairns. It is one of the most visited islands on the reef, largely because of its proximity to Cairns and the ease of access by fast catamaran (45 minutes each way). The island is unusual among reef cays in being covered by dense tropical rainforest, which developed over approximately 6,000 years as vegetation colonised the accumulated coral rubble and sand.

The snorkelling and diving around Green Island is outstanding and genuinely accessible to beginners. The reef starts just metres from the beach on the island's eastern and southern sides, with clear water, abundant hard and soft coral, giant clams, anemonefish, parrotfish, wrasse and regular turtle sightings. Introductory scuba diving courses and guided snorkel tours are available for those new to reef experiences. A glass-bottom boat and a semi-submersible vessel offer dry-foot reef viewing for non-swimmers.

Marineland Melanesia, a small aquarium and museum on the island, houses one of the largest collections of Melanesian artifacts in Australia alongside crocodile displays and a live reef aquarium. The boardwalk that circles the island takes about 20 minutes and passes through the rainforest interior, where you can see species more commonly associated with the Wet Tropics mainland, including scrub fowl, emerald doves and numerous butterfly species.

Green Island Resort is a five-star property with 46 suites, and is the only accommodation on the island. Overnight guests have the island essentially to themselves after the last day-trip catamaran departs around 4:30pm, which is a markedly different experience from the busy middle of the day. The resort runs guided night snorkelling tours on the reef, which reveal nocturnal species such as reef sharks, octopus and crayfish.

The island is a year-round destination with water temperatures ranging from around 24 degrees in winter to 29 degrees in summer. Stinger season (October to May) requires a stinger suit for water activities. Multiple ferry operators run from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, with the first departure typically around 8:30am and the last return around 5pm.