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Frankland Islands Reef Cruises
Exclusive Great Barrier Reef Island Tour – River, Rainforest, Reef
Frankland Islands Reef Cruises provides an exceptional day tour experience to the Frankland Islands within the Cairns Great Barrier Reef region. With its stunning scenery, abundant marine life, fringing reefs, and and a variety of activities to enjoy, Frankland Islands is the perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature.
Immerse yourself in breathtaking coral gardens, unwind on pristine island beaches, and partake in activities such as snorkeling, semi-submersible tours, kayaking, paddleboarding, or guided walks led by our marine biologists.
With a group limited to just 100 individuals, you’ll have more time to interact with our knowledgeable crew and learn about the islands and their vibrant marine ecosystem.
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No big crowds
We’re the only commercial operator with a permit to visit these pristine, uninhabited islands.
It starts with a rainforest river cruise, followed by a short open-water crossing.
Then relax and explore with no crowds, plenty of space and time (a minimum of 4 hours) to maximise your experience.
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Full of marine life
Our destination is Normanby Island in the beautiful Frankland Group National Park.
Surrounded by vibrant fringing reefs, it’s home to many species of marine life, including turtles, octopuses and the ever-popular anemone clownfish, Nemo.
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Tailor your day
Your day includes coach transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation, a guided Great Barrier Reef snorkel tour, a guided island walk and a beachside buffet lunch.
Optional activities include our adventure snorkel safari or grab a kayak or stand-up paddle board and explore!
What makes our tour so special?
Discover the untouched natural beauty of the Frankland Islands
Amazing Reefs
Snorkel in pristine, unspoiled coral reefs full of marine life
Exclusive Access
Explore this secluded hidden gem with no crowds
Tropical Waters
Enjoy stunning visibility in crystal-clear waters
Wildlife
See turtles, colourful fish, birds and so much more
Family-Friendly
Perfect for the whole family, with options for all ages
Stewardship
Support responsible tourism practices and help protect the reef
Marine Biology
Gain a deeper understanding of the reef’s ecosystem
All-Inclusive Tour
Discover the river, reef and rainforest all in one day
The crew was so friendly and everything was well organized! Pick up & drop off were timely. They had so much gear and we saw so much wildlife.
A fun day with lots to do and a very friendly and helpful crew. Enjoyed all the activities. The snorkelling was great, all the gear was provided and one crew even swam with us and took us out to see the reef as we weren’t very confident and are not very good swimmers. The semi submarine was beautiful and we saw a turtle and a sting ray. And finally the island walk – very interesting and informative. All in all a great experience and a big thanks to the crew.
Amazing day out on the reef so many turtles and fish to see the staff are amazing they know exactly where to look for things and let you know. Day is well run and organised friendly and helpful staff made the day one to remember.
Absolutely loved my experience with Frankland Island Tours! From start to finish, it was a fantastic day. The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful, making us feel welcome right away. Our guides, were amazing! They were so knowledgeable about the reef, the island, and all the marine life. We learned so much and had a great time doing it.
The island itself is stunning, and the snorkeling was out of this world. We saw so many colorful fish and even a few turtles! Everything was well-organized and ran smoothly, which made the whole day relaxing and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a great day trip in the Cairns area, I highly recommend Frankland Island Tours! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Truly Cairns hidden gem… knowledgeable and friendly staff all inclusive .. absolutely pristine..turtles baby sharks so much marine life large fish and variety of coral .. food was lovely .. very good value for money .. not a huge day ..felt relaxing ..even W kids 😉
Our experience with Frankland Islands Cruises was absolutely incredible! The staff were remarkably knowledgeable, helpful, fun, and full of energy, making the entire day a joy from start to finish.
We’re so glad we chose this cruise over the others—it was perfect for families and packed with activities! Snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking—we did it all! Swimming with turtles, countless fish, and seeing the vibrant coral up close was simply unforgettable.
Lunch was delicious and exactly what we needed after such an action-packed day.
This has truly been the highlight of our trip, and we can’t thank the amazing staff enough for making it so special. Highly recommend Frankland Islands Cruises!
Despite some showers and a thunderstorm during lunch, it was an excellent day for my two kids and I. We much prefer this experience over the outer reef because the water was calmer and easier for the kids to handle. Plenty of marine life to see. Staff were great. We did not partake in the glass boat tour or the island walk because my kids wanted to stay on the beach, snorkel, and kayak. You can customize your experience to suit your desires. Thank you Frankland Island Reef Cruises for a memorable day!
Great tour. Worth the money. The crew makes sure that everyone finds the right activity. The equipment is sufficient. The activities are well planned. I would absolutely recommend the tour.
This tour was the highlight of our holiday and the best snorkeling to be had outside of the outer Great Barrier Reef. We saw clown fish living in bright blue anemones, a reef shark, turtles and a bright yellow box fish. Conditions were very calm and clear on the day we went. It was like swimming my in an aquarium.
Staff were professional and helpful and food was great. There were even beach games for young children.
We loved our day on a tropical island, admiring the views, snorkeling, swimming and stand up paddle boarding.
Undoubtedly one of the best island trip, if not the best. To begin with, once you are picked up by the bus, the bus ride to the ferry is unbelievably beautiful. With mountains and sugar cane fields. The ferry ride on the river and sea is smooth and not bumpy which keeps sea sickness away.
The island itself is a Virgin island. You will have semi submarine tours and snorkeling. Beginners will have guides on water. The underwater coral view is truly amazing. The staff is super friendly and will take good care. Highly recommend 👌