Fitzroy Island 8.45/10.15 to 4.30pm

from A$109

6 hours 15 mins

Great Barrier Reef

All Ages

Travel by ferry from Cairns Marina to Fitzroy Island on the Fitzroy Island Sundancer, giving you up to 5.5 hours to enjoy beaches, nature walks, and optional snorkelling before returning to Cairns in the afternoon.

Key Highlights

Return ferry transfers between Cairns and Fitzroy Island
Multiple departure times
Option to add snorkelling equipment or Glass Bottom Boat
Enjoy up to 5.5 hours of free time on Fitzroy Island
Access to self-guided nature walks, including the popular walk to Nudey Beach
Explore some of Australia's best beaches at your own pace

What’s included

Return ferry transfer between Cairns Marina and Fitzroy Island
Optional Snorkelling
Optional Glass Bottom Boat
Lunch and other activities availanle

Overview

Experience the beauty of Fitzroy Island, located off the coast of Cairns, with convenient return ferry transfers aboard the Fitzroy Island Sundancer. Spend your day exploring the island's pristine beaches, nature trails, and vibrant marine life.

Your journey begins with a 55-minute ferry ride from Cairns Marina. Choose between two departure times: 08:45 or 10:15 from Cairns, with check-in required before each departure. The vessel arrives at Fitzroy Island at approximately 09:45 or 11:00, ensuring you maximise your time on the island.

Once on Fitzroy Island, you will have between 4.5 and 5.5 hours of free time to enjoy at your leisure. Swim off the beach, add snorkelling equipment if you wish, or take a self-guided walk to scenic locations such as Nudey Beach, which has been voted Australia's best beach in recent years.

The return ferry departs Fitzroy Island at 15:30, arriving back at Cairns Marina at around 16:30. All operational schedules are subject to confirmation upon booking; please review times carefully before travel.

Commonly asked questions.

Sunlover offers an 8:45am early departure and a 10:15am standard departure from Cairns. Both options return to Cairns on the same afternoon boat at approximately 4:30pm.

The main difference is the amount of time you have on Fitzroy Island. The 8:45am boat arrives at approximately 9:30am, giving you around 6 hours on the island, while the 10:15am boat arrives at approximately 11:00am, giving you around 4.5 hours.

Both services depart from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns, with check-in at the Sunlover reservations desk inside the terminal. You will then be directed to the vessel at Cairns Marlin Marina.

The fast catamaran journey takes approximately 45 minutes each way, so you can be on Fitzroy Island relatively quickly after leaving Cairns.

You can swim at Welcome Bay, snorkel over the fringing reef, walk through the rainforest, visit Nudey Beach or hike towards the island's summit lookout. There are also optional activities and tours available.

Yes. Fitzroy Island has fringing reef accessible directly from the beach at Welcome Bay. Snorkelling equipment is included with some Sunlover packages and can also be added to other packages.

Yes. Nudey Beach is accessible via a rainforest walking track from the main visitor area. The walk is approximately 1.2km each way and takes around 45 minutes return, so allow sufficient time to get back to the jetty for the afternoon departure.

Yes. There are several walking tracks and scenic areas to explore, including the rainforest, Nudey Beach and the summit lookout. You can also simply relax on the beach and enjoy the island scenery.

It depends on the package you select. Sunlover offers different Fitzroy Island packages, including options with a lunch box, snorkelling equipment and glass-bottom boat tour, as well as transfers-only tickets.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water. A waterproof bag is useful for protecting valuables, particularly if you plan to swim or snorkel. Reef shoes are also recommended.

Additional info by the operator.

8:45am / 10.15am - Depart Cairns
9:30am / 11.00am - Arrive at Fitzroy Island
Free time on Fitzroy Island Swim, snorkel, visit Nudey Beach, explore the rainforest, hike to the summit or enjoy optional activities.
3:15pm - Boarding begins
3:30pm - Depart Fitzroy Island
4:30pm - Arrive back at Cairns Marina

Departure Times: 08:45 or 10:15 from Cairns Marina Check-In: 07:45-08:15 for 08:45 departure; 08:45-09:45 for 10:15 departure Boarding Closes: 08:30 for 08:45 departure; 10:00 for 10:15 departure