Fitzroy Island Transfers and Tours from Cairns
Description
Enjoy the picturesque surrounds of Fitzroy Island and kick back in paradise! Departs Cairns at 10:15am, Returns to Cairns at approximately 4:30pm (*Seasonal or operational time changes may apply). Book a transfer only, or opt for a package building your day by selecting from options of picnic lunch box, snorkelling equipment hire and / or glass bottom boat tour! Fitzroy Island is a favourite trip for Cairns' locals with 99% of its landscape covered in lush tropical rainforest as well as granite outcrops, open woodlands, mangroves and coral beaches. Enquire about further upgrading your day with optional activities such as snorkel safari, kayak tour, visit to the Turtle Rehabilitation centre or guided nature walks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Sunlover Reef Cruises provides transfers to the idyllic Fitzroy Island, which is only a 55 minute cruise from Cairns.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(79)
Planned a day for the family to Fitzroy Island, we were messed around getting tickets, and when we were checking on, as we searched for a seat, the sunlover team held reserved seats for a large group booking who either weren’t there or didn’t show, the upshot when we asked were to sit, they asked if we got seasick?, I said I don’t know and our family had to sit on the roof in the wind and sun. The sun lover team member complained to her fellow crew about having to sit up there saying she would get sun burnt, ummm yeah, so will we. It was crazy windy that day. On the way back the same chaos, passengers arguing in line about getting on first or second: it was revolting. Honestly what was an otherwise lovely day was managed so poorly by the tour operator, go with someone else.
Overall, this was good value for money. The transfer left on time, there was plenty of time to explore the island, and the packed lunch was a nice touch. However, I did feel that there wasn’t a clear system in place to account for all passengers. Compared to other reef tours I’ve done, it felt a bit unstructured, and it seemed possible for someone to be left behind. Still, a good option if you’re looking for a simple and affordable day trip.
Hi Maria, thank you for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review 🧡 I’m really glad to hear you felt the trip was good value, that the transfer ran on time, and that you had plenty of time to explore Fitzroy Island. It’s such a beautiful place to spend the day, and I’m pleased the packed lunch was a nice touch as well. I also really appreciate your comment about passenger accounting. We do have a thorough system in place, and our crew use multiple methods throughout the day to keep track of guests and make sure everyone is safely accounted for. Because they are so experienced, a lot of that happens quietly in the background, so I can understand how it may not have felt obvious from a guest perspective. That feedback is genuinely helpful, because feeling safe and clearly looked after is such an important part of a great day on the water. We’ll take this on board and look at how we can make that process feel more visible and reassuring for guests without taking away from the relaxed island experience. Thank you again for choosing to travel with us, and for recognising the value of the Fitzroy Island day trip while also giving us something useful to improve.
Beach all dead coral no sand so not comfortable to lay on and shallow for a long distance plus not many fish to see snorkeling. Did see a turtle swimming about though. And a komodo dragon walking along beach about 4feet long
Thanks for your review, Gary. We’re glad you were able to spot a turtle during your time on Fitzroy Island — that’s always a special moment. Fitzroy is a continental island with coral-fragment beaches rather than soft sand, so it can feel quite different to a typical sandy beach. We always recommend reef shoes or sturdy footwear for comfort, especially around the shoreline and walking tracks. Snorkelling conditions and marine life sightings can vary with tide, visibility and weather on the day, but the island’s fringing reef can still offer some lovely encounters when conditions line up. It also sounds like you spotted one of Fitzroy Island’s resident yellow-spotted monitor lizards. They’re often mistaken for something far more dramatic, but they’re a natural part of the island wildlife. Thanks again for visiting and for sharing your experience.
The island is magical. You will have your equipment and you will build your day: rest time, snorkelling, lunch, walk, .. in short nice for the price.
Bonjour Siouxie — merci beaucoup pour ce joli retour. We’re delighted you enjoyed Fitzroy Island. It’s great that you could set your own pace for the day — snorkelling, relaxing, exploring and lunch — that flexibility is exactly what we aim for. Thanks for choosing Sunlover Reef Cruises. We’re glad you felt it was great value and hope to welcome you back again.
The snorkeling was disappointing (not a lot of fish and only one turtle was spotted). The snorkeling gear was nor in great condition and didn’t feel prpoerly cleaned. The island was beautiful, especially Nudey beach. Lunch was nice.
Hi Erica, thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re glad you enjoyed Fitzroy Island — Nudey Beach is a real highlight, and it’s great to hear lunch was a positive part of your day. We’re sorry the snorkelling didn’t meet expectations. Conditions and marine life around the island can vary day to day, and sightings can never be guaranteed. Our snorkelling equipment is disinfected before and after each use. Due to the tropical climate, humidity and the cleaning solutions required, clear silicone can sometimes appear cloudy despite being fully sanitised. We appreciate you sharing your feedback and hope you were still able to enjoy the island’s natural beauty during your visit.
Navigating a way down to the beach was dangerous. Two of us fell down the slippery and high sandbag steps. The beach is mostly very sharp and large pieces of coral. We should have been advised to wear reef shoes and where the safest access was to the beach. There was a pool at the resort but you’re not allowed to swim in it. And swimming on the beach meant a full stinger suit and reef shoes. Not enjoyable at all. The actual cruise company were friendly and professional but all in all it was a hard pass for me. The food at the restaurant was average too. I did ask the resort to use the pool as it was extremely hot. They said they sold passes but not on that day. Very disappointed.
Thank you for your feedback, Cynthia. We’re sorry to hear Fitzroy Island was not the experience you were hoping for, particularly in the heat and with beach access feeling difficult on the day. Fitzroy Island is a natural continental island, and the beaches are made largely from coral fragments rather than soft sand. Reef shoes or sturdy footwear are recommended on our website and in pre-travel confirmation information, as they can make a big difference when walking along the shoreline or entering the water. During stinger season in Far North Queensland, full-body lycra suits are also strongly recommended for swimming and snorkelling. We understand they may not feel ideal on a hot day, but they are an important safety precaution. We’re pleased to hear you found the Sunlover crew friendly and professional. Sunlover operates the ferry transfer and tour services to Fitzroy Island, while the resort pool and restaurant are managed separately by Fitzroy Island Resort. Beach access, sandbagging and island pathways are also not managed by Sunlover, as these areas fall under island and parks management.
Great day out. Boat ride was enjoyable and crew was friendly and welcoming. We did the lunch and snorkelling. The lunch was delicious and plenty of it. The snorkeling was amazing we saw so many fish and turtles and even a shark. Would definitely recommend.
Thanks so much, Kelly! 🧡 We’re thrilled you had such a fun day out at Fitzroy Island. Sounds like you made the most of it — a great lunch, friendly crew, and an underwater show with turtles and a shark! We’ll be sure to share your lovely feedback with the team. Hope we get to welcome you back aboard soon for another adventure. 🐠 — The Sunlover Crew
Had a very good experience in this island.I would recommend to avoid glass bottom tour and start doing snorkelling and kayaking once you reach the island which gives enough time to enjoy your activity.Amazing under water sea life you experience in this island while doing snorkelling.
Thank you, Joseph! We’re so glad you had a very good experience on Fitzroy Island and enjoyed the underwater marine life while snorkelling. Fitzroy is a beautiful place to explore at your own pace, and snorkelling and kayaking are both fantastic ways to make the most of your island time. Different guests enjoy different activities, but we’re pleased to hear you found the water-based options so worthwhile. Thanks again for travelling with Sunlover Reef Cruises and for recommending the Fitzroy Island tour.
Thank you Ram and team! We booked the transfer to and from Fitzroy Island, plus the snorkel gear hire, packed lunch and glass bottom boat tour. It was a great experience and we saw lots of fish, coral, whales and turtles!!! The snorkelling gear was clean and well maintained, just make sure you bring a bag to carry it in, as it is issued to you on the boat and the best snorkelling spots are a short walk away. The lunch box was also given out on the boat and was excellent, with enough food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea - bring a cool bag to keep it fresh unless you plan on eating it all at once. We travelled with young kids and the staff on the boat were very friendly and engaging. The only downside of the trip was the lllooonngggg lines to the toilet on the island itself, we could only find one for non-resort users. There are also cold outdoor showers that you can line up to use.
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review. We are delighted you and your family enjoyed your Fitzroy Island experience with Sunlover Reef Cruises and that you were able to see turtles, coral, and even whales during your visit. It is also wonderful to hear your kind words about Ram and our team, who take great pride in making each guest feel welcome and supported. Our Fitzroy Island day tours are designed to be flexible, with the option to add snorkel gear hire, glass bottom boat tours, and packed lunches. We are pleased the snorkelling equipment was clean and easy to use, and your advice about bringing a bag and cool pack is excellent for future travellers. The lunch box is intended to provide enough food to enjoy throughout the day and is a convenient option for families. We appreciate your note about facilities on the island. Fitzroy Island is a National Park, and amenities are managed by the island’s resort and park services. Toilets for day visitors can be limited during busy periods, and we recommend allowing extra time if travelling on peak days. Thank you again for travelling with Sunlover Reef Cruises. We are so glad your children felt well looked after by the crew, and we hope to welcome you back on board again for another Great Barrier Reef adventure.
One of the best decisions I ever made was to book this experience! Me and my partner booked the package with the glass bottom boat tour and the snorkel gear hire. We decided to bring our own lunch, but the lunches looked nice from what I could see! The transfer boat there and back was excellent. The staff were ready to help the passengers and it was easy to pick up and swap our snorkel equipment. The island itself is absolutely beautiful. If you scan the QR code on the boat you get a pdf that shows you the different locations on the island and where the good spots are for walking and snorkelling. I would highly recommend snorkelling in the white rock area. We got to see the amazing coral and even turtles! It was a surreal experience. The boat tour was brilliant too. The lady leading the tour was very informative and we learnt a lot about the coral and wildlife. It wasn't too long either which was good. We then decided to do the summit walk. It said it would take 3 hours but it took us about an hour and 15 minutes. We are keen hikers though and it is quite steep so just be aware of that if you plan on doing it! The views were absolutely insane. The Sunlover crew member let us leave some of our bags with her as we hiked which was really kind and helpful. The general store was good and the cafes looked good from what I could see. My only complaint is that I wish I had longer on the island- it is just fantastic. If you are thinking of booking this tour, do not hesitate, I cannot stress enough how brilliant it was.
Thank you, Sophie, for such an enthusiastic and thoughtful review. We are thrilled to hear your Fitzroy Island transfer and tour package was the highlight of your Cairns visit. It is wonderful to know that the snorkel hire and glass bottom boat tour gave you the chance to see turtles, coral, and fish up close, and that you found the guided commentary both informative and enjoyable. We are pleased the transfer was smooth and that our crew made equipment collection and storage easy for you. The QR code guide is a new addition we are glad you found helpful — it allows guests to make the most of their day by highlighting key snorkelling areas and island walks such as White Rock and the summit track. Congratulations on completing the hike so quickly; the views from the top are indeed spectacular. Your feedback on the island’s facilities and the option to purchase or bring your own lunch is also very valuable for future travellers. Fitzroy Island is a National Park and offers a very different reef experience to our Outer Reef pontoon at Moore Reef, and many guests choose to do both during their stay. We appreciate your kind words about the crew’s friendliness and helpfulness. Our team take pride in making the day as seamless as possible, whether it’s assisting with snorkel gear, sharing reef knowledge, or simply offering a safe place to store bags during a hike. Thank you again for your recommendation. We are delighted you found the experience so rewarding, and we hope to welcome you back with Sunlover Reef Cruises to explore more of the Great Barrier Reef.
