Australia

How to Do a Day Trip to Fitzroy Island From Cairns

If you’re visiting Cairns and want to do a day trip to Fitzroy Island, hop on a boat and just 45 minutes later you’ll officially be able to dip your toes in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

If you don’t have the time to travel to the outer reef, a day trip to Fitzroy Island from Cairns is a decent alternative. Twenty-nine kilometers southeast of the city you’ll arrive at the inner or fringing reef that surrounds the island and is apart of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

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Tips & Advice

  • It’s a good idea to prebook your ferry trip.
  • If you’re not staying within Cairns, like us, leave plenty of time to get to the Fitzroy Island Booking Centre for check in. Our 8am departure meant we were competing with morning rush hour into the city and nearly late.
  • The chances of jellyfish (or stingers) in the water increases between October to May. You can rent a stinger suit or wetsuit from the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub (FISH).
  • You can bring your own food to the island, or purchase food and drinks from Foxy’s Bar & Cafe or the General Store on the island.
  • There are lockers that accept coins next to Foxy’s Bar should you need to store anything (although unfortunately they were out of order on our visit).
  • You’ll also find bathrooms by Foxy’s. Our kids were able to change here before we got back on the ferry.
  • Only resort guests can use resort facilities.
  • Water shoes are a good idea for both beaches.
  • Remember not to stand on, take or damage any coral.

Itinerary 

  • Fitzroy Island Half Day Trip: Nudey Beach + Welcome Bay

Table of Contents

How to Get There

We pre-booked the Half Day Tour from Marlin Marina in Cairns to the island via the Fitzroy Island Flyer, opting for the 8am – 12:15pm slot. We paid A$239.74 for 2 adults and 2 children in 2022, but as of July 2024 the price for a family has risen to A$263.71.

After fighting traffic into the area, we rushed to park at the paid Southern Esplanade Carpark, not far from the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. This worked well for us as upon our return from the island we spent the afternoon in the area and didn’t have to move our car.

Large orange and white informational sign next to cars in parking lot.
Orange and white informational sign in parking lot.
Informational signs next to a bush and below a tree.
Exterior entrance to the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns.

After checking in to the Fitzroy Island Booking Centre located at the Reef Fleet Terminal, we started the long trek down the Marlin Wharf to board the Flyer. You’ll want to leave time for little legs if, as it was for us, the boat is docked at one of the farthest berths, Berth 20!

Australian flag blowing in the wind on a pole attached to the Marlin Wharf with boats docked and people walking.
Wide cement jetty stretching a long ways ahead.

Seats are first come, first served, and because we were one of the last to embark our choices were limited because the vessel was fairly packed. We were lucky and grabbed what seemed to be the last seats inside on the top deck. From here we could watch the captain and crew at the helm.

Unfortunately the boat appeared old and – there’s no other way to say it – relatively dirty.

Passengers sitting inside on blue seats in an older ferry.

It was disappointing that there was no commentary during the crossing. Upon arrival there was a very quick announcement (maybe 2 minutes?) about what to see on the island, such as Nudey Beach. Considering this had been advertised as a Half Day Tour and not just a transfer, it felt as if the company had misrepresented themselves.

Although the ferry had lots of staff they did not appear to really interact with anyone except themselves. It was all very casual, which would have been okay, but the attitude of indifference came off as unprofessional and unfriendly.

Turquoise sea against a narrow beach leading up into hilly green rainforest.
A boat dock with people mingling and a ferry docked next to it.
Passengers debarking from a ferry walking down a dock while people watch from beach.

We left at 8:15am and arrived close to 9am. The passengers left the boat and scattered, and amazingly, despite the crowded ferry, the island never felt crowded.

The website no longer advertises the Half Day Tour, but you can create your own by booking an island transfer return trip and selecting your preferred departure and return times.

How to Get Around

Close up of informational board with map information you might need on a day trip to Fitzroy Island.

Walk, hike, swim, snorkel, kayak or sail!

It’s as simple as that. Most facilities are located steps from the dock, but if you want to explore this car-free island, you’ll need to use your own wherewithal to do so. There are no sealed roads on the island although the resort has a few vehicles at its disposal to transport luggage and such as needed.

As 97% of the island is National Park, most of the island is only accessible by walking tracks.

You can also bring your own boat and dock at the island’s public moorings for a fee.

What We Did

In an attempt to be strategic with our time on our day trip to Fitzroy Island, we headed to Nudey Beach first. 

Nudey Beach 

Once off the jetty, head right, continuing past Foxy’s Bar.

Two people entering path by sign indicating Foxy's Bar this way surrounded by green rainforest.

The General Store, washrooms and lockers for rent are right before Foxy’s. The trail head for the Nudey Beach Walking Track is located behind the bar.

Man walking along brick path beneath wooden roof next to stone building.
Glass doors with white trim leading inside a locker room.
Bathroom with seventies style decoration in shades of brown and cream.
Outdoor and indoor patio next to rainforest.
Covered outdoor patio with lime green chairs and white tables.
Path entrance between a building and outdoor shelter leading into rainforest.
White cockatoo with yellow head feathers poking around leafy forest floor.

The moderate-level walk to Nudey Beach takes about 20-25 minutes one way through rainforest and woodlands. There’s some clambering up and down boulder-sized steps until you reach the beach.

Informational and map sign about the National Park that will help you on a day trip to Fitzroy Island.
Medium and small boulders places uphill as steps through rainforest.
Wooden bridge connecting path through rainforest.
Steps leading down rainforest path.

Nudey beach is unique in that white sand is mixed with bits and pieces of white coral. It’s kind of cool to look at all the shapes.

Sand mixed with pieces of white coral in all sorts of shapes.
Close up of pieces of white coral in all sorts of shapes.

The pretty beach was smaller than we had expected, but worth the trek if you visit on a day trip to Fitzroy Island.You won’t find any facilities here which adds to its charm, so be sure to bring water, snacks and sun protection.

Swing hanging from rope attached to trees over rocks and sand on beach.
Girl on swing hanging from rope attached to trees over rocks and sand on beach.
Informational sign about snorkeling.
Turquoise and deep blue sea washing onto sand with green hills in distance.
Turquoise and deep blue sea washing onto sand with two children standing at shoreline looking at water.
Turquoise and deep blue sea washing onto sand with green hills in distance.
Boy holding snorkel standing on shoreline with turquoise and deep blue sea behind him.
Boy snorkeling on shoreline with turquoise and deep blue sea behind him.

We were lucky enough to share the beach with just a handful of other visitors. It was peaceful, sunny and pristine. We admired the view and examined the coral shapes, while our kids swam and attempted to snorkel.

Use reef-friendly sunscreen to prevent coral bleaching and protect sea life. Look for biodegradable mineral-based sunscreen.  Avoid anything that contains these two main chemicals in particular: oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Welcome Bay

At about 10:30am we retraced our steps along the path towards Welcome Bay. We passed by the jetty, resort entrance and FISH.

Two people walking down a wide path next to the beach surrounded by trees.
Greenery in foreground with dock extending over turquoise sea.
Concrete steps leading up into resort entrance.
Bright colored writing on surfboard shaped chalkboards leaning against tree trunks next to a beach.

Again our kids swam and snorkeled, this time near the dock.

Green hill behind beach along the sea with dock stretching into water.
People snorkeling in turquoise water off beach near a dock.
Green hills in the distance past the sea with boats in the water off the beach at low tide.
People snorkeling in turquoise water off beach near a dock.

The main beach at Welcome Bay is a great place for beginner snorkelers. It’s calm, clear and shallow near the shoreline. However this area is busier and more touristy than Nudey Beach.

Sea green ocean along beach shoreline with green hills in background.
Snorklers in blue ocean near beach.

After another hour had passed we coaxed the kids out of the water to give them time to air-dry before our day trip to Fitzroy Island drew to an end. There are showers here to rinse and clean up.

Outdoor showers next boulders and trees beside a building.

Return Trip to Cairns

Again there was no fanfare when boarding began for departure, so we just joined the line slowly forming on the jetty. A staff member stood at the boat checking in passengers but there were no signs or announcements.

On the trip back we sat on the bottom deck to try to combat our daughter’s seasickness. It smelled of mildew and damp rot, and wasn’t very clean either, but it did have a small snack bar. 

Table and seats inside the lower deck of a ferry.

We tumbled over low, white-capped swells all the way back as the day had turned windy. Make sure you have anti-nausea meds if you’re prone to motion sickness.

We left at 12:17pm and reached Cairns at 1pm. I was less than impressed when after thanking us for choosing them we were asked over the loudspeaker to leave a review on TripAdvisor…

You might also want to check out Two Days in the Daintree Rainforest.

What to Bring

  • You’ll want to bring: anti-nausea medication for seasickness; sport sandals or runners for hiking; water/drinks; lunch/snacks; sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, snorkel, towel and swimsuit

Other Things to Do

Fitzroy Island Sports Hub (FISH) 

Rent snorkels, masks and fins, kayaks and more at the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub (FISH). Their website recommends bringing cash to pay for rentals. 

Tours and activities can be booked online or upon arrival. FISH offers a variety of options including, but not limited to:

  • Snorkel Safari Tour
  • SUP Guided Tour
  • Glass Bottom Boat 
  • Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre 
  • Junior Marine Biologist Kids Program
  • Marine Conservation Program 

Bush Walking & Hikes

In addition to the 1.2 km Nudey Beach Walking Track, other paths to explore include:

  • Secret Garden Track (45 minutes and 700 m return, moderate)
  • Lighthouse Road (2 hours and 3.6 km return, difficult)
  • Summit Track (3 hours and 4 km return, difficult)

Stay At the Resort

The Resort has a pool and swim-up pool bar, the Zephyr restaurant, and complimentary activities for its guests such as fish feeding and movie nights, as well as for-fee choices like Tie Dye workshops ages 7+ and adult Sip & Paint classes.

Stay At the Council Campground

There are 20 campsites located 5 minutes from the Jetty. Campers will need to bring all camping equipment needed, or you can rent a campsite plus equipment. Book online, but be aware showers are cold-water only.

Final Thoughts

Fitzroy Island sounded so good on paper that we were excited to visit, but in the end it didn’t exactly live up to the hype. That said, I’m sure if we had been able to experience the turtle center, gone on a guided snorkel or kayak tour without our kids, or hiked the interior we might have enjoyed it more.

It was our choice to simply have a beach day due to tour timings and young children.

Turquoise and deep blue sea washing onto sand with green hills in distance.

Although pretty, Nudey Beach and Welcome Bay weren’t as spectacular (imagine that!) as some of the other beaches we had already visited on our trip. The Fitzroy Flyer also left a sour taste in our mouths. But nevertheless our kids had a great time.

If you want to visit the Great Barrier Reef but not travel for hours to the Outer Reef, then a day trip to Fitzroy Island is still a great option, especially with young children. I can’t entirely endorse the Fitzroy Flyer, but after all, it’s just a ferry ride, and other options to get to the island are likely to be costlier.

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