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Cairns & Port Douglas Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
Frankland Islands Reef Cruises - Great Barrier Reef and Island Day Trip
Escape to Frankland Islands, a hidden tropical island, with Cairns’ only River, Rainforest and Reef Tour! Spend the day on one of the most beautiful islands on the Great Barrier Reef!
What people are saying
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support.
- emergencyBelle île isolée avec seulement notre groupe, ce qui la rendait privée (5 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyExcellente expérience de snorkeling avec des coraux sains et des poissons vibrants, y compris des tortues (5 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyÉquipe amicale et serviable, créant une atmosphère accueillante (5 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyCroisière relaxante à travers les mangroves avec de la bonne musique (2 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyVisite bien organisée qui était détendue et pas précipitée (3 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyDélicieux déjeuner fourni, ajoutant à l'expérience globale (1 personne a dit cela).
- star_shineApportez des chaussures pour la marche jusqu'à Nudy Beach.<br/>Vérifiez le courant avant de faire du snorkeling.
Escape to Frankland Islands, a hidden tropical island, with Cairns’ only River, Rainforest and Reef Tour! Spend the day on one of the most beautiful islands on the Great Barrier Reef!
Highlights
- Relax on a calm river cruise down the Mulgrave River, whilst keeping an eye out for crocodiles
- Followed by the shortest open-water crossing of any the Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef day tours, before reaching Normanby Island
- Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with numbers limited to 100 passengers per day
- Enjoy unspoiled natural paradise with a beachside tropical buffet lunch
Embark on a unique adventure to the stunning Frankland Islands, a hidden tropical island south of Cairns. Our all-inclusive day tour offers the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, making it the ideal choice for travellers seeking an unforgettable Cairns island getaway. Your day with Frankland Islands Reef Tour begins as you board our air-conditioned coach from Cairns and travel south through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest, fields of sugar cane, and past the iconic Walsh’s Pyramid – the highest freestanding natural pyramid in the world!
Enjoy a peaceful river cruise down the Mulgrave River, followed by the shortest open-water crossing of any Cairns day tour to Normanby Island, the most pristine island off Cairns and a gateway to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The Frankland Islands Group offers the best snorkelling experience of all the islands near Cairns, Australia, thanks to its unique geographical location.
Frankland Islands Reef Cruises are the only commercial operator licensed to land on beautiful Normanby Island, so you can relax and explore with plenty of space and time. Once on the island, you can customize your day trip to suit your interests, our all-inclusive day tour offers a fantastic range of optional activities. Set off on a snorkel safari, explore the sea floor while staying dry on our semi-submarine tour with commentary, join our knowledgeable crew for an informative guided island walk, paddle with kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, and enjoy a delicious beachside buffet lunch, do as much or as little as you like, you’re on island time!
Once you’ve had your fill of vitamin-sea, enjoy a relaxing return to Cairns, arriving in the late afternoon.
Complimentary Bus Transfers:
Complimentary transfers are available from select Cairns CBD accommodation but are subject to availability. If the bus transfers are fully booked, you will need to arrange your own transport to the Deeral Jetty.
Self-Drive Check-In:
We recommend allowing at least 45 minutes of travel time south of Cairns along the Bruce Highway to reach Deeral Jetty, located at 169 Ross Road, Deeral 4871. For those driving themselves, please aim to arrive by 8:15 a.m. for check-in. The Turtle Islander departs Deeral at 8:30 a.m. and returns at approximately 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Point: If you prefer to self-drive, please allow time for the drive and check in at Deeral located at 169 Ross Road, Deeral 4871 by 8:15am, for an 8:30am departure.
Fuel Recovery Surcharge -travel dates fromApril 1st 2026 – September 30th2026.
This company charges a fuel levy of $10 per person payable directly to the tour company after booking. The tour company will reach out directly to arrange payment of $10 per person prior to day of travel.
All prices are shown inAUD ($)
- Adult$208.00
- Adult$208.00
- Adult$208.00
- Adult$208.00
- Adult$208.00
- Adult$208.00
- Adult$234.00
- Adult$234.00
- Adult$234.00
- Adult$234.00
- Adult$234.00
- Adult$234.00
- Adult$234.00
- Adult$260.00
- Child$160.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$260.00
- Child$160.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$260.00
- Child$160.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$260.00
- Child$160.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$260.00
- Child$160.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$260.00
- Child$160.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$260.00
- Child$160.00
- Infant Free of Charge
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience.
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support
- emergencyBelle île isolée avec seulement notre groupe, ce qui la rendait privée (5 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyExcellente expérience de snorkeling avec des coraux sains et des poissons vibrants, y compris des tortues (5 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyÉquipe amicale et serviable, créant une atmosphère accueillante (5 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyCroisière relaxante à travers les mangroves avec de la bonne musique (2 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyVisite bien organisée qui était détendue et pas précipitée (3 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyDélicieux déjeuner fourni, ajoutant à l'expérience globale (1 personne a dit cela).
- star_shineApportez des chaussures pour la marche jusqu'à Nudy Beach.
Vérifiez le courant avant de faire du snorkeling.
Showing all 321 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Frankland Islands Reef Cruises - Great Barrier Reef and Island Day Trip
Hi Oceane, thanks for your review. We are sorry to hear you've missed the semi sub experience. Our staff communicates the inclusions of the daytour once you get on the vessel to start the river cruise. It is unfortune, that you've missed this information. We do offer a range of inclusions on Frankland Islands, such as the snorkel safari and the eco walk around the island. Great to hear you've enjoyed the rest of the day :)
Aurelie DINTILHAC from France wrote on 16 February 2019
Superbe journée !
Un personnel vraiment très attentionné ! Un buffet lunch très très bien garni et varié ! Une demi journée que je recommande à tout le monde !
From Frankland Islands Reef Cruises - Great Barrier Reef and Island Day Trip
Thanks for the 5 stars and for the review - great you enjoyed what we have on offer, including the lunch and recommend our tour to everyone!
Eva Tailamee from France wrote on 06 December 2018
Superbe expérience
C’etait vraiment génial, entre l’endroit paradisiaque et l’equipe très sympathique, on a été gâté. On a eu la chance de nager avec des tortues de mer..
From Frankland Islands Reef Cruises - Great Barrier Reef and Island Day Trip
Hi, Thank you for your review. We are very fortunate to have this beautiful Island to ourselves & the amazing fish life. I will pass on your comments to the crew. Take Care
Elijah Ferguson from United States wrote on 07 March 2026
Fantastic
Excellent value for the money, and also a more remote destination away from the crowds (and therefore healthier reefs). Highly recommend!!
Kent Ronny from Australia wrote on 19 February 2026
Great staff taking care of small group of visitors
Swimming from an island is nice and the environment on the island is great. The group going to this uninhabitated island is small compared to other excursions. Highly recommended.
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oceane. from France wrote on 07 March 2023
Dommage manque une activité
Nous n’avons pas fait la ballade en bateau avec les hublots, car personne ne nous a dit qu’elle partait plus tôt que prévu. Pas de compensation pour ca… vraiment dommage. Le reste était bien .