A Fitzroy Island day trip from Cairns starts with a fast catamaran ride of about 45 minutes from the Reef Fleet Terminal, under 10 minutes’ walk from Hides Hotel. On Sunlover Reef Cruises’ early boat you get about 6 hours on the island for rainforest walks, snorkelling off the beach and the turtle centre, and you’re back in Cairns by 4:30pm. Times are as of November 2026.
The Fitzroy Island ferry is run by Sunlover Reef Cruises.
Fitzroy Island is a granite island in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and much of it is Fitzroy Island National Park. Here’s how a full day works on the Sunlover Fitzroy Island ferry.
How do you get from Cairns to Fitzroy Island?
By ferry from the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street. As of November 2026, Sunlover’s early boat runs like this:
- Check-in: 7:45am to 8:30am.
- Departs Cairns: 8:45am.
- Arrives at the island: 9:30am.
- Return: boarding from 3:15pm, leaves the island at 3:30pm, back at the Cairns marina at 4:30pm.
Prefer a slower start? The later boat departs at 10:15am (check-in 8:45am to 10am) and arrives at 11am, for about 4.5 hours on the island. The return times are the same. See the Fitzroy Island departures page.
What’s included in the Fitzroy Island ferry packages?
As of November 2026, Sunlover sells four options:
- Ferry only: the return ferry; hire snorkel gear on the island.
- Island Essentials: the ferry plus one of snorkel hire, a glass bottom boat tour or a lunch box.
- Island Value: the ferry, a lunch box, and one of snorkel hire or a glass bottom boat tour.
- Best of Island: the ferry, full-day snorkel hire, a glass bottom boat tour and a fresh lunch box.
Check current inclusions on Sunlover’s Fitzroy Island page before you book.
How should you spend 6 hours on Fitzroy Island?
A suggested plan for the early boat:
- 9:30am: arrive, store your bag in a locker and change into water shoes.
- Morning walk: Nudey Beach (about 45 minutes return) or the Secret Garden loop (about 25 minutes). Fit walkers could tackle the summit (about 3 hours) and eat later.
- Late morning: snorkel the fringing reef off Welcome Bay, right by the jetty.
- Midday: collect your lunch box at Foxy’s Bar, a short flat stroll from the jetty. Foxy’s and the kiosk take cash or card; the resort restaurant is for overnight resort guests.
- Early afternoon: the glass bottom boat, a stand-up paddleboard or Boulder Lookout (about 30 minutes return).
- 2:30pm: Turtle Talk at the turtle centre, if you’ve booked a place.
- 3:15pm: boarding opens for the 3:30pm boat back to Cairns.
On the later boat (arriving 11am), shorten the morning.
Which Fitzroy Island walks can you do?
- Secret Garden: 700 m, about 25 minutes return, moderate. A gentle rainforest loop.
- Nudey Beach: 1.2 km, about 45 minutes return, moderate. The name doesn’t mean it’s a nude beach; it’s coral rubble and granite boulders.
- Boulder Lookout: about 30 minutes return, a short steep climb from behind the jetty.
- Lighthouse: 3.6 km, about 2 hours, high difficulty.
- Summit: about 4 km, about 3 hours, high difficulty, climbing to 269 m, with WWII history.
A guided rainforest walk (1 km, 45 minutes) runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays as an optional extra; see Sunlover’s Fitzroy Island activities page.
Where can you snorkel on Fitzroy Island?
Straight off the beach. The fringing reef starts metres off Welcome Bay, a sheltered bay with clear water by the jetty. Parrotfish, wrasse and green sea turtles can be seen there.
- Glass bottom boat: see the reef without getting wet. It meets near the jetty and suits all ages.
- Guided snorkel tour: 45 minutes with a marine biologist, for up to 6 people, aimed at non-swimmers and nervous snorkellers (optional extra).
Can you visit the turtle rehabilitation centre on Fitzroy Island?
Yes, on a Turtle Talk at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. As of November 2026 it runs daily at 2:30pm for 35 minutes, for up to 10 people a day. It’s an optional extra, and all ticket sales go to the centre.
What should you bring to Fitzroy Island?
Water shoes or reef booties (the beaches are coral rubble and granite), sturdy shoes and water for the tracks, sunscreen, a hat, swimwear and a towel.
Stingers can be present in tropical waters in the warmer months, so follow the signs and local advice. Seasickness is possible on any boat; Sunlover suggests talking to a doctor or pharmacist. Sunlover’s health and safety checklist covers what to know before you go.
Can you add the outer reef to a Fitzroy Island day?
Yes. Sunlover’s Reef & Island in a Day spends the morning at Moore Reef and the afternoon on Fitzroy Island, departing at 8am and back at 4:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Our Great Barrier Reef day trip guide compares the options.
How do you get to the Fitzroy Island ferry from Hides Hotel?
Walk. Hides Hotel, at 87 Lake Street on the corner of Shields Street, is under 10 minutes on foot from the Reef Fleet Terminal. See our guide to staying near the Reef Fleet Terminal.
Continental breakfast (paid) runs daily from 6:30am to 9am, so there’s time to eat before the 8:45am boat. Storage lockers mean you can still go on your arrival or departure day.
You’re back by 4:30pm, with time for a swim at the Esplanade Lagoon and dinner in the city. Reception can help you book reef trips and day tours.
Planning a Fitzroy Island day trip? Book your ferry on Sunlover’s Fitzroy Island page, then check your dates and book direct with us or email res@hideshotel.com.au. See our rooms and walk to the boat in the morning.
Featured photo: Sunlover Reef Cruises.
Where can you check the details before you book?
Sunlover Reef Cruises’ own pages have the latest times, inclusions and conditions:
- Fitzroy Island day trip: ferry packages and booking.
- Fitzroy Island departures: the current ferry timetable.
- Fitzroy Island activities: walks, snorkelling, the glass bottom boat and Turtle Talk.
- Snorkelling tours: Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island snorkelling.
- Reef & Island in a Day: Moore Reef and Fitzroy Island in one trip.
- Pontoon and island activities: everything at Moore Reef and on Fitzroy Island.
- Great Barrier Reef weather: live conditions and a 7-day forecast.
- Getting to the Reef Fleet Terminal: check-in times and directions.
- Health and safety checklist: what to know before your reef or island day.
- Sunlover FAQs: check-in, weather, snorkelling and bookings.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island?
About 45 minutes by fast catamaran from the Reef Fleet Terminal. As of November 2026, Sunlover’s early boat leaves at 8:45am and arrives at 9:30am.
How long do you get on a Fitzroy Island day trip?
As of November 2026, about 6 hours on Sunlover’s early boat and about 4.5 hours on the later boat. Both leave the island at 3:30pm and are back in Cairns at 4:30pm.
Is Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island a nude beach?
No. Despite the name, it’s a beach of coral rubble and granite boulders, about 45 minutes return on foot.
Can you snorkel off the beach on Fitzroy Island?
Yes. The fringing reef starts metres off Welcome Bay, by the jetty. Snorkel gear can be hired on the island.
