Sunlover: Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns by Fast Catamaran
Overview
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.
What's Included
- (Dependent on option booked) Picnic Lunch Box OR Snorkel equipment OR glass bottom boat tour
- Return fast catamaran between Cairns and Fitzroy Island (about 45 minutes each way)
- Free downloadable island map and Nudey Beach self-guided walk
- Self-guided access to Fitzroy Island National Park walks and beaches
- All island purchases (beach hire, food and beverage, general store)
- Fuel Surcharge payable on the day - $4 per Adult and $2 per Child
Meeting Location
1 Spence Street
Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Reef Fleet Terminal
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Great Barrier Reef (pass by)
Fitzroy Island
3 hours Admission Ticket Free
Fitzroy Island National Park
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Nudey Beach
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Great Barrier Reef (pass by)
Cairns
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q: Will I get seasick on Sunlover: Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns by Fast Catamaran?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5851P4
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.44 out of 5 stars based on 73 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
At Sunlover, every introductory and certified dive is fully guided, with a maximum of just four divers per instructor. Smaller groups mean more individual attention,...
$279
The Atherton Tablelands holds ancient rainforests, volcanic crater lakes, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This is the best way to spend a full...
$160
Discover Kuranda's legendary railway and World Heritage rainforest on a small-group tour of up to 10 guests, with multilingual guides (English, Mandarin, Cantonese). Ride the...
$213
Voted the number 1 must-see attraction in Tropical Far North Queensland is Paronella Park. We invite you on a journey enriching your senses and opening...
$181
At Sunlover, every introductory and certified dive is fully guided, with a maximum of just four divers per instructor. Smaller groups mean more individual attention,...
$279
The Atherton Tablelands holds ancient rainforests, volcanic crater lakes, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This is the best way to spend a full...
$160
Discover Kuranda's legendary railway and World Heritage rainforest on a small-group tour of up to 10 guests, with multilingual guides (English, Mandarin, Cantonese). Ride the...
$213
Voted the number 1 must-see attraction in Tropical Far North Queensland is Paronella Park. We invite you on a journey enriching your senses and opening...
$181
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Dive, snorkel and sail the Great Barrier Reef with an award-winning company with 30 years’ experience operating personalized day tours to the Great Barrier Reef....
$192
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,...
$215
Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns
Experience the rainforest beauty of Tropical North Queensland on a scenic day trip from Cairns. Enjoy a journey on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway and...
$112
Enjoy the most guest-oriented Great Barrier Reef tour aboard a fast travelling stylish and comfortable catamaran from Cairns! A "barefoot luxury" and stylish snorkel and...
$156
Dive, snorkel and sail the Great Barrier Reef with an award-winning company with 30 years’ experience operating personalized day tours to the Great Barrier Reef....
$192
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,...
$215
Experience the rainforest beauty of Tropical North Queensland on a scenic day trip from Cairns. Enjoy a journey on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway and...
$112
Enjoy the most guest-oriented Great Barrier Reef tour aboard a fast travelling stylish and comfortable catamaran from Cairns! A "barefoot luxury" and stylish snorkel and...
$156
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- (Dependent on option booked) Picnic Lunch Box OR Snorkel equipment OR glass bottom boat tour.
- Return fast catamaran between Cairns and Fitzroy Island (about 45 minutes each way).
- Free downloadable island map and Nudey Beach self-guided walk.
- Self-guided access to Fitzroy Island National Park walks and beaches.
- All island purchases (beach hire, food and beverage, general store).
- Fuel Surcharge payable on the day - $4 per Adult and $2 per Child.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Sunlover: Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns by Fast Catamaran is as follows:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Sunlover: Fitzroy Island Day Trip from Cairns by Fast Catamaran will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- (Dependent on option booked) Picnic Lunch Box OR Snorkel equipment OR glass bottom boat tour
- Return fast catamaran between Cairns and Fitzroy Island (about 45 minutes each way)
- Free downloadable island map and Nudey Beach self-guided walk
- Self-guided access to Fitzroy Island National Park walks and beaches
- All island purchases (beach hire, food and beverage, general store)
- Fuel Surcharge payable on the day - $4 per Adult and $2 per Child
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 travelers
