Sunlover Ferry, Optional Lunch Box

Sunlover Reef Cruises runs the return ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island, the trip running 6.5 to 7.5 hours depending on your sailing. Tickets start at A$105 per person, with lunch and island activities as optional add-ons. It rates 4.4 across 888 reviews.

Overview

This is a catamaran day trip from Cairns to Fitzroy Island run by Sunlover Reef Cruises, with the boat crossing taking about 55 minutes each way. There is no hotel pickup: check in happens at the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street in Cairns City, on the bottom floor. Depending on the departure option booked, the day runs roughly 6.5 to 7.5 hours in total, with either 5.5 or 4.5 hours of free time on the island itself.

Once you land, the day is yours. All versions of the trip include roundtrip boat transfers and access to the island's self-guided national park walks and beaches. Beyond that, the options diverge: some packages add a picnic lunch box, a glass bottom boat ride, snorkel gear, or a combination of the three, so the listing needs to be read carefully before booking. Snorkelling happens straight off the beach, and reviewers repeatedly report fish, coral and turtle sightings in the water near where the boat arrives.

The trip suits travellers who want an independent island day rather than a guided tour. Hikers can work through trails such as the Secret Garden, Lighthouse Road and the Summit Trail, with one reviewer managing the lot and still having beach time left over. Anyone who prefers a slower pace can settle at Nudey Beach, which another reviewer called ideal for swimming. Optional extras like a guided snorkel tour, a guided rainforest walk and the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre visit can be bought on the day, subject to availability, and the Turtle Centre closes on Mondays and Tuesdays.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in, CairnsCheck in at Sunlover Reef Cruises, Reef Fleet Terminal, bottom floor, 1 Spence St, Cairns City. There is no hotel pickup.
2. Catamaran to islandThe crossing to Fitzroy Island takes 55 minutes. Departures listed are 8:45 am or 10:10 am, arriving 9:45 am or 11:00 am.
3. Fitzroy Island free time5.5 hours or 4.5 hours on the island depending on the departure booked. Picnic lunch, snorkelling and boat cruise options vary by package; some activities carry an extra fee.
4. Catamaran returnDepart Fitzroy Island at 3:30 pm. The crossing back takes 55 minutes, arriving at Cairns Marina at 4:30 pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from traveller reviews will shape how the day goes.

• Footwear matters. The listing recommends closed-in shoes for the national park walking trails. One reviewer also recommended beach shoes for the coral beaches, to avoid slipping and getting hurt.
• Snorkel early. One reviewer advised snorkelling earlier in the day rather than later, because the outgoing tide makes entering the water harder over the coral. That same reviewer saw coral, plenty of fish and two turtles, so the payoff is real if the timing works.
• Generous lunch. Several travellers described the picnic lunch box as generous and good value, with one detailing sandwiches, a muffin, pasta, salad and nuts. Dietary variations are free but must be pre-ordered before 5:00 PM the day prior, or the standard box is provided.
• On-board extras. Snorkel gear can be rented on the boat even for those who booked the crossing only, as one reviewer described. Just note the listing's policy: unreturned or damaged snorkelling equipment carries a fee equal to its replacement value, payable at the end of the tour.
• Seasickness seating. One reviewer prone to seasickness advised against sitting in the lower part or the front of the boat. Crew receive consistent praise in reviews for being helpful and punctual, including a Spanish-speaking crew member mentioned by one traveller.

Common issues. The most common complaint is simply wanting more time: multiple reviewers wished for longer on the island. One reviewer noted a high presence of oil in the water near the pier, and the listing itself warns that same-day bookings may not allow time to prepare a dietary-specific lunch. Several reviewers also said the inclusion details across package options could be clearer, so read the option carefully before booking. Optional activities, beverages, on-island purchases and the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre visit all cost extra, and the Turtle Centre is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Choosing A Trip