Sunlover: Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns by Fast Catamaran

Sunlover Reef Cruises runs two return ferries a day from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, about 45 minutes each way by fast catamaran. The 8:45am departure arrives at 9:30am and the 10:15am departure at 11:00am. Both leave the island at 3:30pm, back at Cairns Marina about 4:30pm. Fitzroy Island is a rainforest-covered national park on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel the fringing reef straight off the beach at Welcome Bay, walk 15 minutes to Nudey Beach, or take a national park walk, from the 700 m Secret Garden to the 4.2 km Summit Circuit and its granite lookout over the Coral Sea. Book the ferry only, or upgrade to Island Essentials (snorkel hire or a glass bottom boat tour), Island Value (adds a lunch box) or Best of Island (full-day snorkel hire, glass bottom boat and lunch box). No fuel surcharge applies. Sunlover Reef Cruises has operated from Cairns since 1991. In 2025 it was one of 11 Australian operators inducted into the Ecotourism Australia ECO Certification Hall of Fame.

Itinerary

What’s included

• Self-guided access to Fitzroy Island National Park walks and beaches
• (Dependent on option booked) Picnic Lunch Box OR Snorkel equipment OR glass bottom boat tour
• Free downloadable island map and Nudey Beach self-guided walk
• Return fast catamaran between Cairns and Fitzroy Island (about 45 minutes each way)

Not Included

• All island purchases (beach hire, food and beverage, general store)
• Fuel Surcharge payable on the day – $4 per Adult and $2 per Child

Additional Information

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• The return ferry leaves Fitzroy Island at 3:30pm. Guests who miss it must make their own way back at their own expense.
• Fitzroy Island's beaches are white coral fragments and granite boulders, not sand. Bring water shoes or reef booties.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and cash or card for Foxy's Bar and the island kiosk.
• Lockers are available on the island.
• Snorkelling conditions change with wind, tide and season. Ask the crew on arrival for the best spot on the day.
• Nudey Beach is not a nude beach.
• Smoking and vaping are not allowed on the vessel

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Cancellation Window	Refund Eligibility
24 hours or more before start time	100% refund (Full refund)
Less than 24 hours before start time	Non-refundable (0%)

This experience may be cancelled due to bad weather. This experience may be cancelled if there are not enough travelers.

Important Information

**PHOTO ID OF LEAD PASSENGER MUST BE PRESENTED AT CHECK-IN**

CHECK IN
Please reconfirm departure time and schedule 24 hrs prior with Sunlover 07 4050 1333 (as seasonal departure times may apply).

8.45am departure: check in between 7.45-8am.
10.15am departure: check in between 8.45-9.30am.
Boat departs Fitzroy Island 3.30pm to return to Cairns 4.30pm.

INCLUSIONS AND ON ISLAND FACILITIES
Dependent on your package booked, please speak to our staff upon boarding to collect snorkel gear +/or arrange Glass Bottom Boat schedule +/or collect picnic lunch box.

If you have booked the Transfer only option you will have the option to add extra items like Snorkelling Equipment or glass bottom boat tours on board (subject to availability).

SNORKELLING EQUIPMENT HIRE
Please note for any un-returned or damaged snorkelling equipment, a fee equal to the current replacement value for the un-returned/ damaged snorkelling equipment will be payable at the end of the tour.

OTHER
Sunlover operate the transfer to/from Fitzroy Island and do not arrange or guarantee availability of any services provided by operators on the island.

HOTEL TRANSFERS
Not currently available for this product.
Please make your own way to the Reef Fleet terminal at Cairns Marina.

FURTHER INFO
Please refer to https://www.sunlover.com.au/terms-and-conditions for more information regarding conditions of passage.

FUEL SURCHARGE
Due to the increasing costs of fuel, Sunlover have implemented a fuel surcharge that will apply for bookings made from 1 April 2026 onwards.
This amount is payable directly with Sunlover prior to travel.
For our Fitzroy Island tour, this amount is $4/adult, $2/child.
Thank you for your understanding.

Age Policy

Infant: 0–3 years · Child: 4–15 years · Adult: 16–99 years