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Frankland Islands Reef Cruise from Cairns

Instant Confirmation
Mobile Tickets
Shown on your Phone
Dated Ticket
Valid on selected date.
Duration
About 7-10 h, by option
Free Cancellation
72 Hrs Prior
Hotel Pickup
Cairns CBD hotels
Meal & Refreshment
Lunch or snacks, by option

Frankland Islands Reef Cruise from Cairns takes you south of the city to Normanby Island in the Frankland Islands, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The day starts with a coach transfer from selected Cairns CBD accommodation through UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest and sugar cane fields, past Walsh's Pyramid, to Deeral. From there, a calm 30-minute cruise along the Mulgrave River leads to the shortest open water crossing of any Cairns Great Barrier Reef day tour. Frankland Islands Reef Cruises is the only commercial operator permitted to land on Normanby Island, so there is plenty of space to swim, snorkel and relax on the beach. The All Inclusive Full Day Tour gives you up to 4 hours on the islands with a guided snorkel safari, a reef semi-sub expedition, a guided island and foreshore walk, morning and afternoon tea and a tropical lunch. Short on time? The Express Day Tour has a later start and an earlier return, with up to 2.5 hours on the islands and a choice of a semi-sub tour or a guided beach snorkel tour, with or without a lunch box. Every option includes snorkelling equipment and tuition, unlimited beach snorkelling and use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Express Day Tour without Lunch

A shorter day on Normanby Island with a later start and an earlier return: up to 2.5 hours on the Frankland Islands with your choice of a semi-sub tour or a guided beach snorkel tour. Afternoon snacks are included; lunch is not.

Inclusions

Return transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation to Deeral Jetty
30-minute calm water cruise along the Mulgrave River and a short open water crossing
Up to 2.5 hours on the Frankland Islands
Choice of a semi-sub tour or a guided beach snorkel tour
Unlimited beach snorkelling
Snorkelling equipment and tuition
Use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
Afternoon snacks

Pickup Time Drop Off Time

Pick-up from selected Cairns CBD hotels from 09:00; the operator reconfirms your time in advance
Be at your pick-up point 10 minutes early
Drop-off back at your hotel between 15:30 and 16:30

US$ 126.30

Express Day Tour with Lunch Box

A shorter day on Normanby Island with a later start and an earlier return: up to 2.5 hours on the Frankland Islands with your choice of a semi-sub tour or a guided beach snorkel tour, plus a lunch box.

Inclusions

Return transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation to Deeral Jetty
30-minute calm water cruise along the Mulgrave River and a short open water crossing
Up to 2.5 hours on the Frankland Islands
Choice of a semi-sub tour or a guided beach snorkel tour
Unlimited beach snorkelling
Snorkelling equipment and tuition
Use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
Lunch box with a panini, a snack and a drink

Pickup Time Drop Off Time

Pick-up from selected Cairns CBD hotels from 09:00; the operator reconfirms your time in advance
Be at your pick-up point 10 minutes early
Drop-off back at your hotel between 15:30 and 16:30

US$ 146.80

All Inclusive Full Day Tour

The all-inclusive day with up to 4 hours on the Frankland Islands: a guided snorkel safari, a reef semi-sub expedition, a guided island walk, morning and afternoon tea and a tropical lunch.

Inclusions

Return transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation to Deeral Jetty
30-minute calm water cruise along the Mulgrave River and a short open water crossing
Up to 4 hours on the Frankland Islands
Guided snorkel safari
Reef semi-sub expedition
Guided island and foreshore walk
Snorkel Stars kids' snorkelling tutorial and certificate, and a kids' treasure hunt
Unlimited beach snorkelling, snorkelling equipment and tuition
Use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
Morning and afternoon tea, fresh water and a fresh tropical lunch
Stinger suits in stinger season

Pickup Time Drop Off Time

Coach pick-ups from selected Cairns CBD hotels start from about 06:55 to 07:45, depending on your hotel; the operator reconfirms your time in advance
Be at your pick-up point 10 minutes early
Drop-off back at your hotel between 16:30 and 17:30

US$ 177.49

Full Day Tour Family Ticket

A family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children (ages 4-16) on the all-inclusive Full Day Tour, with up to 4 hours on the Frankland Islands and a beachside buffet lunch.

Inclusions

Return transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation to Deeral Jetty
30-minute calm water cruise along the Mulgrave River
Up to 4 hours on the Frankland Islands
Guided snorkel safari
Reef semi-submarine expedition
Guided island and foreshore walk
Snorkel Stars kids' snorkelling tutorial and certificate, and a kids' treasure hunt
Unlimited beach snorkelling, snorkelling equipment and tuition
Use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
Morning and afternoon tea, fresh water and a fresh tropical lunch

Pickup Time Drop Off Time

Coach pick-ups from selected Cairns CBD hotels start at 06:55; the operator reconfirms your time in advance
The boat departs Deeral at 08:30 and returns around 16:00, followed by the coach back to your hotel

US$ 467.15

Itinerary

About 9 h

Route for

6 places
1 meal stop
Boat

09:00
Meeting point
pick up. Hotel pick-ups Cairns CBD Coach transfers from Cairns CBD accommodation.The operator will re-confirm your pick-up time in advance Please arrive at the location 10 mins before the departure time.
Get directions
10:00
Attraction
Deeral
Check in Deeral.
10:15
Attraction
Deeral
Depart from Deeral.
10:30
Attraction
Normanby Island
Arrive at Normanby Island and 10-15 mins snorkeling and Island safety briefing.
10:45
Attraction
Normanby Island
Snorkeling Adventure.

Highlights

Travel south from Cairns through UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest and sugar cane fields, past Walsh's Pyramid
Cruise for 30 minutes along the calm Mulgrave River
Enjoy the shortest open water crossing of any Cairns Great Barrier Reef day tour to Normanby Island
Land on Normanby Island with the only commercial operator permitted to land there
Snorkel colourful coral reefs, swim from the beach and paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard
Enjoy ample space and time to relax and explore a pristine island

What's Included

Return transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation to Deeral Jetty
30-minute calm water cruise along the Mulgrave River, then a short open water crossing to the Frankland Islands
Snorkelling equipment and tuition
Unlimited beach snorkelling
Use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
All Inclusive Full Day Tour and Family Ticket: up to 4 hours on the Frankland Islands, guided snorkel safari, reef semi-sub expedition, guided island and foreshore walk, Snorkel Stars kids' snorkelling tutorial and certificate, kids' treasure hunt, morning and afternoon tea with fresh water through the day and a fresh tropical lunch
All Inclusive Full Day Tour: stinger suits in stinger season
Express Day Tours: up to 2.5 hours on the Frankland Islands and a choice of a semi-sub tour or a guided beach snorkel tour
Express Day Tour without Lunch: afternoon snacks
Express Day Tour with Lunch Box: lunch box with a panini, a snack and a drink

What's Not Included

Introductory scuba diving
Other activities not listed in the inclusions (paid on site)

Child Adult Policy

Child ticket: ages 4-16
Ages 17 and over pay the adult rate
Children aged 4-16 must be accompanied by a paying adult
Infants aged 0-3: an infant ticket is sold on the Express Day Tour with Lunch Box only; for the other options, please contact JTR before booking with an infant
Family Ticket (All Inclusive Full Day Tour): 2 adults and 2 children aged 4-16

Pickup Time Drop Off Time

Pick-up and drop-off at selected hotels in Cairns CBD (about 50 hotels)
Full Day Tour: coach pick-ups start from about 06:55 to 07:45, depending on your hotel; drop-off between 16:30 and 17:30
Express Day Tour: pick-up from 09:00; drop-off between 15:30 and 16:30
The operator reconfirms your exact pick-up time in advance
Please be at your pick-up point 10 minutes before your pick-up time

Things To Know

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen (reef-friendly if possible), a cap or hat, reef shoes or flip-flops and a water bottle
Shoes can get wet and sandy
Special dietary requirements for the Full Day Tour lunch must be advised when booking
This tour is not wheelchair accessible
Express Day Tours: in case of unforeseen events or extreme weather, the operator may cancel the tour; you can then request a full refund

Starting End Point

Start: hotel pick-up in Cairns CBD, then a coach transfer to Deeral Jetty, 169 Ross Road, Deeral QLD 4871
Full Day Tour: check-in at Deeral by 08:15; the boat departs Deeral at 08:30 and returns to Deeral between about 15:30 and 16:00
Express Day Tour: check-in at Deeral at 10:00; the boat departs Deeral at 10:15 and returns to Deeral at about 14:30
End: coach transfer back to your Cairns CBD accommodation

How To Redeem

Show your voucher on your smartphone on the day
The voucher is valid only on the date booked

Cancellation Policy

Free Cancellation: Cancel at least 72 hours before the scheduled visit to receive a refund.
Late Cancellation: Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the scheduled visit will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
Refund Processing Charges: Approximately 4% will be deducted from the refundable amount to cover payment gateway and refund transaction fees. These charges are not retained by JTR Holidays.

FAQs

Below are some commonly asked questions. If you have any additional inquiries or need further clarification, please reach out to our team via live chat, contact us form, or WhatsApp.

The tour includes return transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation to Deeral Jetty, a 30-minute calm water cruise along the Mulgrave River, snorkelling equipment and tuition, unlimited beach snorkelling, use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, and meals depending on the tour option. The Full Day Tour offers up to 4 hours on the islands with guided activities and meals, while the Express Day Tour offers up to 2.5 hours with a choice of tours and snacks or lunch box.

For the Full Day Tour, coach pick-ups start from about 06:55 to 07:45 depending on your hotel, with drop-off between 16:30 and 17:30. For the Express Day Tour, pick-up is from 09:00, with drop-off between 15:30 and 16:30. You should be at your pick-up point 10 minutes before your pick-up time.

The tour starts with hotel pick-up in Cairns CBD, then a coach transfer to Deeral Jetty. The Full Day Tour boat departs Deeral at 08:30 and returns between about 15:30 and 16:00. The Express Day Tour boat departs at 10:15 and returns at about 14:30. The tour ends with a coach transfer back to your Cairns CBD accommodation.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen (reef-friendly if possible), a cap or hat, reef shoes or flip-flops, and a water bottle. Shoes can get wet and sandy. Special dietary requirements for the Full Day Tour lunch must be advised when booking.

You can cancel for free at least 72 hours before the scheduled visit to get a refund. Cancellations made less than 72 hours before will incur a 100% cancellation fee. About 4% will be deducted from refunds to cover payment and refund fees, which are not kept by JTR Holidays.

Children aged 4-16 need a child ticket and must be accompanied by a paying adult; ages 17 and over pay the adult rate. An infant ticket (ages 0-3) is sold on the Express Day Tour with Lunch Box only; for the other options, please contact JTR before booking with an infant. The Family Ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children aged 4-16.

Show your voucher on your smartphone on the day of your tour. The voucher is valid only on the date booked.

You can snorkel among colourful coral and fish, swim from the beach, paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, and explore the island with guided walks and snorkel safaris depending on your tour option.