General Questions
What is the weather doing?
Great Adventures receives a 3 day forecast and obtain weather updates every morning from the bureau of meteorology as well as from our crew at our Outer Reef pontoon by 7am. Passengers can call our office on 4044 9944 for an update.
What types of credit cards do you accept for payment and can I use credit cards on the boat or island?
Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners, China Union Pay and JCB. (Minimum spend may apply)
We are a family of four, but our oldest child is over the age of 14 years. Can we still receive the family discount?
Unfortunately the family discount is only applicable if there are 2 Adults and 2 Children aged 4-14 from the same family travelling together. If you child is older than 14 years, they would be classed as an adult and would pay the normal Adult rate.
Do you pick up from all hotel accommodation in the Cairns and Port Douglas region?
We pick up from most major accommodation in Cairns and the Northern Beaches. If the hotel you are staying at is not one that we pick up from, we can arrange coach transfers from a pick-up point nearby. We are unable to offer Port Douglas accommodation transfers however.
Is there parking located close by to the Reef Fleet Terminal?
We are located at 1 Spence Street Cairns, which is just next to the Shangri-La hotel at the Pier Marketplace. There is parking available outside the Pier for 80 cents an hour, or you can park undercover at the Casino or the Pier for about $5-$6 approximately for the day. There is also all day parking for $2 at the outdoor carparks near Trinity Wharf on Wharf Street, about two blocks away.
Do you have lockers at Green Island or the Outer Reef?
Coin lockers are available at both Green Island and also on the Outer Reef vessels. At Green Island you can hire a locker that can be opened many times during the length of hire. Costs are $7 for 8 hours and $5 for 4 hours. At the Outer Reef, there are small lockers on board the vessels that cost $2 to use, and are a single-use locker. Therefore if you open your locker and wish to re-lock it, you do need to put another $2 in to use it again. These lockers are only small but big enough for your valuables, and are quite suitable to use while you are in the water. This way you do not need to keep inserting coins to secure your valuables. (Pricing subject to change without notice)
Can I take a pram on the boat/pontoon/island?
The vessels, pontoons and island are pram friendly with ample room on the boat & on the platform. The beach at Green Island has quite soft sand and therefore not practical for prams to be taken onto the beach area. There are wooden boardwalks that take you through the middle of the island through the rainforest, and these boardwalks are also suitable for prams.
Is it safe for babies or children?
The Great Adventures cruises are suitable for people of all ages, including families with infants and children. However, we do recommend children are supervised and are accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. For anyone wishing to take their children into the water, we recommend that a buoyancy device is used. Buoyancy vests are available for hire at Green Island from the Dive centre. If you are travelling to the Outer Reef, these are included in the cruise and can be collected from the front of the pontoon with the rest of the snorkelling equipment.
Do you supply towels?
We recommend you bring your own towel. For emergency we do have towels for hire at $5 with a $10 deposit however we have very limited stock and cannot guarantee availability. These can be collected from the Pool Bar on Green Island, or from the crew on board the vessel if you are travelling to the Outer Reef.
Do you supply life jackets?
Life jackets are onboard for emergency use only, however flotation vests are available for use whilst swimming or snorkelling. At Green Island, these can be hired from the Dive Shop. For passengers continuing on to the Outer Reef, please help yourself to these from the front of the pontoon with the rest of your snorkelling equipment.
What time does the boat depart the wharf & return?
For Green Island, we have three departures from Cairns at 8.30 am, 10.30 am and 1.00 pm, departing the Island at 12.00, 2.30 or 4.30 pm, with return times in Cairns at approximately 12.50, 3.20 and 5.20 pm. If you are opting for the Green Island and Great Barrier Reef adventure, this vessel departs Cairns at 8.30 am, departs the island at 11.30 am, and returns to Cairns at approximately 5.20 pm.
If we book a certain return time for a Green Island cruise, can we change to an earlier or later departure once we are over on the Island?
Yes, if there is availability the staff at the Information counter on Green Island can amend your return times. If we are fully booked, you will have to return on your originally scheduled departure time.
How long are we at Green Island for?
You can spend from as little as 2 & 1/2 hours and up to 7 hours at Green Island, depending on the departure times that you select. We do need to book return times when making the reservation, however you can change your return times at a later time subject to availability.
We are continuing on to the Outer Reef from Green Island. How long do we spend at the Outer Reef?
You will spend approximately 3 hours at the Outer Reef Platform.
Do you have prescription masks available?
Standard masks magnify objects underwater by about 25%. We do have prescription masks up to -8.0 available. If you need a prescription mask, please advise us so we can make sure that we have one available for you. We only have a limited supply of these, especially in the higher prescription strengths. These are hired from the Dive shop on the island, or included in the price if you are diving.
Is Green Island still part of the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes, Green Island is situated in the Inner part of the Great Barrier Reef.
Is there any shade on the pontoon or the island?
The island provides some shade from trees that line the beach or throughout the centre of the island along the boardwalk area. There are areas around the resort area where you can rest in the shade also. The main deck on the pontoon is mostly shaded. The upper deck however is a sun-deck with limited shading provided.
Will I get seasick?
Hopefully not. Our vessels are Catamarans so they do handle better than single hulled vessels in the rougher ocean conditions. Where there is motion, whether a car, bus, plane or boat, some people will suffer from motion sickness. Specially packaged tablets are available onboard for purchase. We offer ginger tablets as a natural alternative motion sickness medication on a complimentary basis. To be effective, motion sickness medications should be taken immediately on boarding. Travelling to Green Island is more protected than a cruise to the Outer Reef, and a much shorter journey.
Does the lunch cater for vegetarians?
We do have a variety of foods that are suitable for vegetarians, depending on how strict your diet is. When making a booking, please mention this on your booking request and we will be able to forward a copy of the appropriate menu to you.
Do you have drinking water available or do we need to purchase it?
Cold drinking water is freely available on board the vessel, and also from the lunch area on Green Island.
How long does it take to get to the Outer Reef platform from Green Island?
Travelling time from Green Island to the Outer Reef takes approximately 50 minutes.
Do your facilities cater for the elderly with limited walking?
At Green Island, there is a bit of a walk down the jetty into the Resort Area, and pathways where you can walk through the rainforest. There are also a few steps onto the Glass Bottom boats at the island. Therefore this would depend on personal preference, as the Outer Reef may be more suitable for them.
Family Information
We have young children travelling with us. What activities do you have that are suitable for children at either Green Island or the Great Barrier Reef Pontoon?
There are still plenty of things the younger children can do and see. Green Island is great for children, as they enjoy playing on the beach. There are a few optional activities you might like to try on the island. There is Marineland Melanesia which is a Crocodile and marine life habit, along with a small museum also. This is an extra cost. They have a crocodile feeding show, and also feed the turtles for you. You can even have your photo taken holding a baby crocodile which the kids absolutely love! There is also an underwater observatory at the very end of the jetty at Green Island where they can see Nemo (the famous clown fish). This is $10 per Adult and children are free of charge per paying adult. Depending on which tour you choose, a glass bottom boat may be included in your package at the Island. Please see the inclusions for your selected tour to check these details.
At the Outer Reef, they can wander though a large underwater observatory any time throughout the day so they are able to see the fish and corals, and also the divers descending into the water on the other side. There is a Semi-submersible coral viewer which takes you for a journey submersed under the water to view the amazing fish and corals. This is fantastic for the kids and lets them see it all without even getting wet! If you would like to take the children into the water, there are buoyancy vests to assist with floatation, and they are available in smaller sizes also. They are also available in Adult sizes which makes it easier for you too so you don't get dragged down by the kids! There is snorkelling equipment to fit children. So if the older children would like to try a bit of snorkelling, it's up to you. Sometimes it's best to give them the mask first so they get used to viewing the corals and fish underwater, then if they would like to try with the snorkel it's available to use. Sometimes children prefer not to use the snorkel as it's a little different for them to get used to breathing through a snorkel. There are age limits for some activities. The minimum age for diving, Scuba Doo and Seawalker is 12 years old.
Can we still purchase any of the photos that were taken of us on the day?
If you travelled to the Outer Reef to the pontoon, you can view and order photos taken of you on your trip online. Please visit www.indepthvideo.com.au and click on the boat/trip that you travelled on. If you went to Green Island, please contact Holiday Pictures on 0418 734 049 to see what they can arrange for you.
I want a dive instructor/cruise attendant who can speak my language? Do you have multi-lingual staff members on board?
We do have some Japanese and Chinese crew members, as well as other staff who can speak German, etc, but we cannot guarantee that these staff will be working on the day that you travel. We do however always have at least one Japanese staff member rostered. If you are requesting someone that speaks a particular language we can advise our staffing departments, but this is still not confirmed that these people will be available. If you would like a personal staff member to escort you for the day, this can be arranged for an extra cost, if we are given enough notice. Pricing does depend on which cruise and the length of time.
We are non-swimmers or seniors who will not snorkel or scuba dive so will need to see the marine life from a semi submersible or glass bottom boat. Is this possible?
Yes, there are plenty of options available at both Green Island and the Outer Reef for those that are non-swimmers. We have a Glass Bottom Boat that operates at Green Island, and a Semi-Submersible coral viewer at the Outer Reef. For information on other activities available, please refer to our optional activities page.
Wheelchair Information
Do you have any wheelchair facilities available?
We do have wheelchair facilities, however there are some restrictions that can apply. It's always best to call us or give as much details as possible via email so we are able to advise you accordingly. You can also visit: http://www.quicksilvergroup.com.au/wheelies.htm for more information about suitable cruises available. Some mobility may be required for travel to Green Island, as there may be a few steps at the end of the gangway onto the jetty depending on tide levels, etc., and the narrow gangways used when disembarking. Green Island does have disabled toilet facilities, and paved or wooden boardwalked pathways that are easy for wheelchairs to access. There is also a boardwalk that takes you directly through the rainforest into the centre of the Island which is easily accessible. To board the Glass Bottom boats, there are also some steps into this vessel which may not be suitable.
Optional Tour Information
Can I wait until I'm on the boat to book optional activities?
It is always best to pre-book optional activities prior to travel to guarantee a space, as we also get an indication of staffing requirements for the day by these bookings also. Otherwise if you are unsure, please make sure you see a staff member as soon as possible after boarding to reserve a space, subject to availability. Times need to be arranged for all briefings/instructions, so if you leave it too late you may miss out due to availability or timing.
If my husband and myself would like to do Diving/Scuba Doo, etc. Can someone look after my child during this time?
Unfortunately not, you would have to take the activities at separate times.
If I take a half-day cruise to Green Island, is there enough time to dive?
If you are taking the morning half-day cruise, coming back on the 12.00 departure (Back in Cairns just before 13.00), this only gives you about 2 1/2 hours on the island. Travelling time from Green Island to Cairns is about 45 minutes. There are later departure times, which are at 14.30 and 16.30 arriving back into Cairns just before 15.30 and 17.30. If you take a later cruise departure from the Island, both Introductory and Certified divers would have enough time to do a dive and still get to see the rest of the island. The first dive of the day meets at the dive shop at 9.30 for a briefing, and by the time the dive tender returns back to the beach and unloads, it is approximately 11.40, giving just enough time to make the 12.00 departure. You would not have time to see much else of the island, and would not normally be able to take a glass bottom boat trip either. If you travelled to Green Island on the 13.00 vessel from Cairns, this is even more restricted for time, so you would need to check with the dive staff on the day, and head straight to the dive shop upon arrival.
Can I join a snorkel tour at Green Island?
There is also a boat snorkel trip at Green Island, which joins the divers, to head out in the dive tender to reef sites surrounding the island. This is not a guided snorkel tour, but gives snorkellers the opportunity to get a little further away from the island and see a little more variety in fish and coral. This is an additional cost of $30 and you would need to use your boarding pass as the inclusion for your snorkelling equipment or pay the additional cost of equipment.
Can my child try Introductory Diving, Seawalker or Scuba Doo?
The minimum age for these in-water activities is 12 years old. The participant also needs to pass a medical questionnaire as some medical conditions may preclude you from being able to join these tours. Other conditions also apply for Seawalker, such as a minimum height of 140 cm tall, and if your child has extremely narrow shoulders they may not be able to participate, as the helmet needs to sit securely on their shoulders.
What time will my activity be?
You will need to see the appropriate staff on board the vessel before arriving at Green Island. This is to arrange a time to meet for your briefing and complete the paperwork. You will then be advised what time to return for your optional tour.
Seawalker & Scuba Doo
Is Scuba Doo available at Green Island?
Scuba Doo only operates at the Outer Reef Pontoon. If you take the 8.30 departure to the Outer Reef, you will have a two hour stop-over at Green Island, then continue to the Outer Reef.
Who can try Seawalker and Scuba Doo?
These activities are great for non-swimmers, children or older people not keen to try diving or snorkelling. It is even a great experience for people with minor disabilities. You do need to pass a small medical questionnaire to be able to participate. The briefing for Scuba Doo is on the way out to the Outer Reef platform, and takes about 20 minutes under water.
How long does it take?
Seawalker takes a total time of approximately 55 minutes. This includes 5-10 minutes travel time from the Beach to the Seawalker platform, about 10 minutes for the briefing, 5 minutes "suiting up", 15-20 minutes underwater, and another 5-10 minutes from the platform back to the beach.
I don't want to get my head wet. Is this possible?
Seawalker and Scuba Doo are great for those that don't like submerging their heads underwater, or for those with glasses or contact lenses, etc.
I sometimes get claustrophobic. What will it be like?
Some people feel little bit nervous of trying Scuba-Doo or Seawalker in the beginning, however end up enjoying this unique experience. It really does depend on the individual.
Will I be able to try more than one optional activity during my day?
Yes, there is time to do several activities depending on how long you will be spending at Green Island, or if you are travelling to the reef also. You will need to inform the staff so they can coordinate a suitable time for your activities.