Ocean Free | 1 Day Sailing Green Island & Great Barrier Reef

Departure Times
Departure Point: Cairns - Reef Fleet Terminal, Marlin Marina
Pricing Options
Join Ocean Free for an unforgettable day of sailing to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef!
- An unforgettable day of exploring one of the most beautiful parts of the world
- Visit the beautiful Green Island and Pinnacle Reef on the Great Barrier Reef
- Scuba dive, snorkel, and enjoy small group sailing
- Transfers to and from the beautiful Green Island
The Ocean Free: 1 day Sailing Green Island & Great Barrier Reef combines sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving in one terrific trip. The Great Barrier Reef has rightfully earned its title as a natural wonder of the world, and Ocean Free gives you the chance to see it up close and personal.
Guests will sail to Pinnacle Reef and Green Island with time to swim, dive or snorkel in the sheltered waters, or simply relax throughout the day in your natural surroundings. You may even get to feed the fish! With just a small group of guests (maximum is 25), this tour offers a personal and exclusive experience.
Highlights
- Spend over 4.5 hours on the exclusive mooring on the Great Barrier Reef
- Transfers to and from Green Island
- Delicious food including pastries and fresh fruit
- Tropical smorgasbord lunch including seafood
- Snorkelling instruction and tours
- High-quality snorkelling equipment
- Scuba diving demonstration
- Afternoon tea and a glass of wine during the day
- Fish feeding
- Fuel levy included
- Glass bottom boat & semi-submersible tour add-ons
- $20 Reef Levy to pay on arrival (included in advertised price)
Sample Itinerary
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Great Barrier Reef Sailing
Depart from Cairns at 8am and begin your journey to Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef! Sail with the power of the wind, cutting your way along the surface of the warm, blue water. The 16m schooner offers a comfortable ride, and with only 25 passengers you will be able to escape the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the reef.
Scuba Diving
Both introductory and c...
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Reef Sites
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Pinnacle Reef
Sail to our exclusive mooring on Pinnacle Reef, just 1km offshore from Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This protected section of the Great Barrier Reef is absolutely pristine and has an abundant range of marine life, so dive in for a snorkel or dive. Sea turtles are often spotted here as they love to munch on the sea grass around Green Island!
Green Island
Af...
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More Information
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What To Bring
- Towel
- Camera
- Sunscreen and swimsuit
- Cash for purchases on board
What's Included
- Snorkelling tuition
- Top quality snorkelling gear, including buoyancy vests
- Prescription masks (if required)
- Hire of wet / stinger suits
- Fish feed
- Scuba diving demonstration
- Morning Tea, buffet lunch, afternoon Tea
- Glass of wine on sail home
- Transfers to and from Green Island
What's Extra
- $20 Reef Levy to pay on arrival
- Green Island Activitie...
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the boat depart from and what time?
Check in starts at 7:15 am at the Ocean Free/Ocean Freedom desk inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St Cairns. The Ocean Free boat is located at A Finger, Cairns Marlin Marina. Boarding begins at 7:30am for an 8am departure.
How long does it take to get out to the reef?
It takes about 2 hours to get to Pinnacle Reef, just 1 km from Green Island.
Are bus transfers included?
Transfers are available for an additional cost. Return transfers from Cairns City are $24 pp, and return transfers from the Outer Suburbs and Northern Beaches are $35 pp. This needs to be pre-booked at least 24 hours prior to your date of travel directly through the operator on +61 7 4052 1111.
Are special dietary requirements catered for?
Ocean Free offers three different types of salads and breads, but can also order a vegetarian meal for you on request. If you have any other dietary concerns or preferences, you can order vegan, vegetarian, lactose free, and gluten free for no extra cost – but you must pre-order at least 24 hours prior to the date of travel. Please let our reservations team know when you book.
What if I get seasick?
If you are prone to seasickness, please take preventative medication about 20 minutes prior to boarding the boat. It will help you to have a much more enjoyable day. The crew will look after you at all times. You can also be taken across to Green Island which will help being on solid land.
Should I be worried about sharks?
While there are small black and white tipped reef sharks that live out on the reef, they are very timid creatures. They pose absolutely no threat to humans and we count ourselves very lucky when we are able to see them!
I’m not a good swimmer, can I still snorkel?
Yes, you can! Ocean Free has a range of buoyancy vests and aids available for you to use. There are also snorkel stations in the water for you to hold on to when you need to. If you are still in need of assistance, a member of staff can come in the water with you until you feel more confident. Ocean Free will have a crew member on watch at all times, keeping an eye on all snorkelers, swimmers and divers ready to offer help if necessary.
Can I scuba dive even without any experience?
Yes! Anyone who is in general good health can experience an introductory scuba dive. In fact, diving is easier than snorkelling when taken by Ocean Free’s experienced instructors. There are certain medical conditions that may prevent you from diving, such as asthma, epilepsy and heart conditions. All divers must complete a dive medical questionnaire onboard the boat. Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns. Ocean Free offers a guaranteed 1:3 ratio of instructor to divers, but most do a 1:2 ratio and even 1:1 for those needing extra attention. Most other boats offer a 1:4 ratio.
Do we actually get to sail?
Ocean Free prides itself in giving you a great sailing experience. You can even assist with the hoisting of the sails and steering the boat! You’ll motor sail out to Green Island, simply because there is a schedule to run, ensuring you experience a full 4.5 hours on the reef. On the way home the crew are a bit more flexible with the return time and turn the engines off to truly sail back to Cairns!
Is there shade on the boat?
Yes there is. The whole aft (back) section of the boat is under a canopy. In the summer a small forward canopy is also put up. There is also plenty of shade on Green Island.
Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0 / 5.0
Based on 12 reviews