Afternoon Fitzroy Island Escape – Return Ferry Included

About this tour

Spend your afternoon on Fitzroy Island, a coral-fringed patch off Cairns' coast. This 4.5-hour return ferry trip gives you time to wade through turquoise shallows and snorkel the house reef, then sprawl on Nudey Beach's pale sand. The air-conditioned vessel departs the island at 5pm, so you're back on the mainland by evening.

Highlights

• Snorkel directly off the beach among live coral
• Nudey Beach: quiet stretch backed by rainforest
• Walking trails through island scrub and woodland
• Air-conditioned ferry with onboard facilities
• Reef fish and marine life viewable without diving certification

What to expect

You'll have roughly three hours on the island after ferry arrival. Most travellers head straight to the reef shallows with snorkels; visibility is usually decent, and clownfish and parrotfish are reliable sightings. Nudey Beach itself is small and sheltered—good for drying off between snorkels. There's a walking track inland if you want shade or a stroll. The return journey leaves at 5pm sharp, so budget time to rinse salt and change if you've got plans back in town.

Good to know

Bring your own snorkel gear or rent on the island. No food or drinks included, so pack lunch or eat before boarding. The ferry is prone to cancellation in rough weather. Strollers and prams are fine for infants; the jetty is flat.