11am Ferry, Snorkel Gear Included

This Fitzroy Island Resort day trip runs from 11am to 5pm, with snorkel equipment included in the fare. It rates 4.0 across 8 reviews, a small sample so far. Free cancellation applies.

Overview

This is a late-morning crossing to Fitzroy Island on the Fitzroy Flyer, departing Cairns at 11:00am and returning on the 5:00pm ferry, for a total trip of about 7 hours. Snorkel equipment is bundled into the ticket, along with an air-conditioned vessel, toilets on board, and the return leg. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point at Berth 20 on the Marlin Marina Wharf, 1 Spence St, arriving at least 30 minutes before departure.

Once ashore, the day follows the national park itinerary: 5 hours in Fitzroy Island National Park with free admission, plus time at Nudey Beach, where the admission ticket is included and the stop runs about 2 hours. In the water, sea turtles and fish feature again and again in traveller reports, and one reviewer also spotted giant clams.

The tour suits independent travellers who do not mind sorting their own food and drink. Lunch, snacks and bottled water are not included, and reviewers found the island cafe pricey, though one praised the food at the grill. The listing describes the trip as wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Anyone prone to seasickness should note that at least one crossing ran rough.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Marlin MarinaMeet at the Fitzroy Flyer, Berth 20, Marlin Marina Wharf, 1 Spence St, Cairns City. Arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the 11:00am departure.
2. Ferry to Fitzroy IslandCross on the air-conditioned Fitzroy Flyer, which has toilets on board. Snorkel equipment is included in the ticket.
3. Fitzroy Island National ParkFive hours on the island with free admission. Snorkelling, walking and beach time fill the stop.
4. Nudey BeachAbout 2 hours at Nudey Beach, admission included.
5. Return ferry to CairnsDepart Fitzroy Island at 5:00pm. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from travellers who have done this exact trip.

• Bring your own food. Lunch, snacks and bottled water are not included. Several reviewers found the island cafe very expensive, while one said the food at the grill was good. Packing food and water is the safer move.
• Wear proper shoes. The walk to Nudey Beach is moderate intensity and crosses a lot of coral, and one reviewer advised decent footwear. Another described the main beach as all coral rather than sand.
• Turtles and clams. Reviewers repeatedly report swimming near sea turtles, and several mention fish. One reviewer also saw giant clams, and the same reviewer felt the reef had lost much of its colour, so set expectations on coral rather than marine life.
• Pack a towel. A reviewer who was not staying at the resort noted there was nowhere to get a towel on the island. Bring your own from Cairns.
• Seasickness risk. One crossing ran rough enough that people were sick, and a reviewer flagged it for anyone prone to sea sickness. Pack remedies if that applies to you.
• Large shared group. The trip runs with a maximum of 100 travellers on the ferry. The listing confirms most travellers can participate, and the day is organised around the ferry times.

Common issues. The main gripes are about extras and comfort rather than the island itself. One reviewer said the snorkel equipment bundled in the ticket was not actually provided on arrival and had to be bought on the island, while another said wetsuits cost extra at the facility, so treat gear availability as a possible point of friction. Sea sickness affected passengers on at least one rough crossing, the cafe has been called very expensive, and one reviewer found change rooms unavailable after 4pm. The listing also notes the trip is not recommended for pregnant travellers and depends on good weather, with poor conditions leading to a different date or a full refund.

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