Top Queensland Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Green Island is one of the closest parts of the Great Barrier Reef to Cairns, but planning a day trip visit there can be complicated. However, your options are all laid out in front of you with this half-day trip. Easily book activities, such as a ride on a semi-submarine or glass bottom boat, together with your catamaran ride between Cairns and the island.

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

Combine a reef and rainforest experience on this day trip to Green Island. Located just 45 minutes from Cairns via catamaran, this island is home to over 120 plant species and colorful birds. While there, take a self-guided walk to discover some of the island's flora. Day visitor facilities include a pool bar, restaurant, and shops. Food is also available for purchase.

Join us for a fun, fast 15 minute speedboat ride where you will arrive at the Inner Great Barrier Reef at our exclusive snorkelling site located at Low Isles Reef. Up to 1.5 hours of snorkelling off the back of the boat. (No Island access on this tour option). Swim with tropical fish, with the possibility of seeing a sea turtle. If snorkelling is not for you then join the glass bottom boat tour instead, where you can view the reef without having to get in the water. Only 2 1/4 hours in duration means more time to do something else with your day.

Benefit from a full-day sailing tour from Port Douglas to the Outer Barrier Reef to swim, snorkel, and sail in one of Australia’s most famous destinations. Visit the northern portion of the Great Barrier Reef, where coral cays and turquoise ocean are home to colorful fish, sea turtles, and other marine life. Includes a buffet lunch, guided snorkel tour, glass-bottom boat tour, and commentary from a marine biologist guide.

Explore the fascinating underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day sailing catamaran cruise to Low Isles. Snorkel straight from the beach on this beautiful coral cay known for its resident population of green sea turtles. View coral gardens and tropical marine life on a glass-bottom boat tour, explore the tropical on a guided nature walk and relax on the pristine, sandy beaches. The fun-filled day at sea includes a buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea

Spend a day on the Great Barrier Reef at two different snorkel and dive sites on this luxury catamaran cruise from Cairns. Travel in style aboard a fast, comfortable catamaran to the outer edge of Upolu Reef, "Wonder Wall," and the Upolu Cay reef area, where you can choose to snorkel or dive (additional cost) and observe the coral that's teeming with colorful fish. Refuel with a buffet lunch on board the catamaran, ensuring there's

Explore the Great Barrier Reef and a lush island rain forest on this catamaran tour to Green Island from Cairns. Create your own perfect day on this protected coral cay with a variety of activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, Seawalking, nature walks, and tours on a glass-bottom boat. Upgrade to include a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran and/or a ride in a semi-submarine. It’s a fantastic way to discover the underwater wonders of the world’s most famous reef.

Ride to the Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas. You'll enjoy a full day relaxing on white-sand beaches, snorkeling and sailing the reef in a glass-bottom boat. With an expert marine biologist as your guide, explore pristine tropical waters filled with marine life. You're served a buffet lunch by an attentive crew aboard a luxury catamaran, limited to 33 passengers.

Marvel over colorful corals and schools of tropical fish on this half-day tour of the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas. Set sail for a thrilling cruise around the Low Isles by luxury catamaran, including a delicious afternoon tea served onboard. Enjoy free time to swim or snorkel at the beaches or join a guided snorkeling tour or glass-bottom boat cruise, and learn more about the reef’s myriad sea life. This cruise is limited to 33 passengers and includes hotel pick-up and snorkeling gear.

Sunlover Reef Cruises takes you from Cairns to its own pontoon at Moore Reef, on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, every day. Depart at 10:15am, arrive about 12 noon, spend about 4 hours at the reef and be back about 5:30pm. Unlike a boat-only reef trip, you step onto a two-storey pontoon as steady as solid ground, with room to spread out and set your own pace. A good fit for families and couples alike. Moore Reef is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, 47 km from Cairns, and Sunlover has exclusive access to its section of the reef. The 9,000 m2 lagoon runs from 1 m shallows to a 15 m drop-off. Snorkel gear and a lycra suit are included, with lifeguards on watch. Non-swimmers see the reef from the glass bottom boat, semi-submersible (weather permitting) and underwater observatory. Kids have a snorkel training area and a 30-metre waterslide. Marine biologists give reef talks, and buffet lunch is included. Operating since 1991, Sunlover is an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member.

Combine two top Cairns excursions in one day. This combination package includes a catamaran sail to the Moore Reef pontoon where you can enjoy snorkeling, waterslides, and a glass-bottom boat tour; as well as a stop at Fitzroy Island with time to relax on the island's beaches or explore the walking trails. A fuel surcharge of $10 per adult and $5 per child applies, payable directly to the operator prior to travel.

There's no need to commit to just one Great Barrier Reef snorkeling spot—with this full-day, all-inclusive tour from Cairns, explore the vibrant coral reef and lush rainforest of Green Island before heading to an activity platform moored at the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Travel between locations on a speedy catamaran to save vacation time, and enjoy a hot-and-cold buffet lunch served onboard.

See the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef on this day trip to Green Island. Leave from Cairns with hotel pickup included for zero hassle and then transfer by boat to Green Island. Choose from snorkeling or a glass bottom boat tour, and add on a semi-submersible experience. There’s also an option for a buffet lunch and nature walks on the island are available.

Cruise to Green Island from Cairns and find a tropical paradise on the Great Barrier Reef. You'll spend either four or five hours at Green Island, with plenty of time to snorkel or tour the reef on a glass-bottom boat or view coral from a semi-submersible submarine.

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.

Experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on a luxury catamaran cruise to Low Isles — no scuba certification required! Snorkel among sea turtles and tropical fish, view giant clams and coral gardens on a glass-bottom boat tour or join a guided nature walk around the island. You can also simply relax and soak up the sun on the beach. This delightful full-day tour includes a buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and round-trip hotel transport from Cairns or Northern Beaches.

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef or view it from a bit of a distance, this day trip to the outer reef has you covered. The activity platform at the reef provides opportunities to snorkel, dive, and swim, and to view it from the comfort of a semi-submersible and an underwater observatory. An ideal day trip for the whole family.

Embark on a full-day adventure to the pristine coral cay of Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Palm Cove. Travel aboard a luxury catamaran with marine biologist guides, and snorkel straight from the white sandy beach among famous coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles Experience the reef another way on a glass-bottom boat tour, and explore the island on a guided nature walk. Your full-day tour includes a delicious buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and round-trip hotel transport from Palm Cove.

A truly VIP experience, discover one of the great natural wonders of the world with a roundtrip helicopter scenic flight and a day at the Reef Cruises’ pontoon! Snorkel, Scuba Dive, visit the Underwater Observatory, witness the lively fish feeding demonstration, or learn more about this intricate ecosystem on an informative Glass Bottom Boat or Semi-Submersible tour. Pontoon facilities include ample undercover seating, fresh water rinse showers, changing rooms, and a spacious sundeck with lounges. This family-friendly day ticks all the boxes and also includes the only theme park-style waterslide at the reef – the popular Sunslide!