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Full-Day Cruise Tour to Frankland Islands Great Barrier Reef
4.8
340 Ratings
Deeral
Discover rare Sand Stars and endangered species on a full-day Frankland Islands cruise. Explore vibrant coral reefs and relax on secluded Normanby Island.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Frankland Islands - Discover the untouched beauty of Frankland Group National Park, a part of the Great Barrier Reef, which includes five uninhabited islands—Normanby, High, Russell, Round, and Mabel—encircled by lively fringing reefs. Immerse yourself in a rich marine ecosystem with 200 coral species around Normanby and Mabel islands.
Your adventure starts with a picturesque coach ride from Cairns, followed by a peaceful river cruise along the Mulgrave River. Enjoy the shortest open water crossing to Normanby Island, where Frankland Islands Reef Tours holds exclusive access as the sole commercial operator permitted to land on Normanby Island. Take part in a snorkel safari with our marine biologist, a semi-submarine tour with commentary, guided island walks, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and a beachside buffet lunch. Unwind on your return trip aboard the Turtle Islander, reaching Cairns by late afternoon, with cherished memories of your extraordinary Frankland Islands experience.
What's Included
- Spacious and comfortable boat
- Spectacular 30-minute calm water cruise along the Mulgrave River
- Marine Biologist led Island Walk
- Morning & Afternoon Tea and fresh water throughout the day
- Guided Adventure Snorkel Safari Tour
- Lunch
- Lycra Suits (seasonal)
- Use of Snorkeling Equipment, Kayaks and Stand up Paddle boards
- Return transfers to and from select accommodation in Cairns
- River and Island Cruise
What's Not Included
- Introductory Diving
- Varied drinks including soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (available to purchase)
Additional Information
Frankland Islands Reef Cruises are the only commercial operator allowed to land on stunning Normanby Island, offering ample space and time for relaxation and exploration. Customize your day trip with a variety of optional activities on our all-inclusive tour.
The islands are also home to several endangered species like the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, spectacled flying-fox, and beach stone-curlews. Explore the vibrant underwater world with 200 coral species around Normanby and Mabel islands, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s total of 600 species.
On Frankland Islands, stars aren’t just in the sky—they’re beneath your feet! Baclogypsina sphirulata, known as Sand Stars found on Normanby Island, are typically rare and found on beaches across the Indo-Pacific. They’re often considered unique to Okinawa, Japan, but it’s our hidden delight that you can also discover them in a secluded spot on Normanby Island.
- All guests are required to wear lycra suits that are provided during stinger season
- All guests are required to complete a snorkelling safety acknowledgement prior to entering the water.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking
- Please note that there are no paved walkways. Prams must be carried or pushed in the sand.
Location
169 Ross Rd
Ross Road
If you are making your own way to the boat, please meet us at 8.15am for an 8.30am departure from Deeral Jetty - 169 Ross Rd, Deeral QLD 4871, Australia. Please note the Deeral Jetty is 40 minutes south of Cairns.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(340 Ratings)
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Ageingsweetly
Aug 17, 2024
Barrier Reef ticked off bucket list. - Well organised trip, crew were friendly and very helpful. Food was good. The variety of sports offered was fantastic. Comfortable boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Milica_k
Aug 10, 2024
Highly recommend this tour, great way to spend the day on the reef! - Loved the day at the reef!
What a beautiful way to spend the day in Cairns. From the river cruise over glass-bottom boat to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. The crew of people working is amazing,especially Kelly and for Japanese Alyssa with whom I felt very safe while snorkeling and seeing different species of fish,corals and turtles. Hannah(?) led the interesting walk around the island. Food was fresh,good and more than sufficient. We got cofffee/tea and cake at the boat. Highly recommend this provider :)
Review provided by Viator
Kathrynbg5415wq
Aug 9, 2024
Island adventure outside Cairns - The whole trip was great. A river cruise, followed by a quick boat trip over to an island for snorkelling, glass bottom boat and a tour around the island in driving rain. ( very informative). Delicious lunch and friendly staff. We spotted a whale, dolphins, a crocodile and numerous birds and marine life. Could not recommend enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Whitehavengirl43
Aug 8, 2024
The best trip out of cairns to the reef around a sandy tropical island. - This is the best trip out of Cairns, Bus pickup in town, sights to be seen driving to Musgrave River, Comfortable boat trip to islands. A beautiful sandy beach with tropical blue water for a swim off golden sandy beach with coral 50 meters off to snorkel. We are older (79 & 81) so did not do snorkel safari offered. The glass bottom boat was included where we clearly saw many reef fish and corals. The lunch had prawns, chicken, meats, salads & fruit. Yum. A helpful caring crew plus on return we saw 4 huge whales within a hundred meters. What more do you want? A tiring but magic day. We did the same trip last year and decided to do it again. We were so happy with our day living our life to the full.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest34577988519
Aug 2, 2024
The most incredible day on the most incredible island! - The most incredible, personable tour - our family had the best time with Ana and the team.
Despite the weather (overcast and rain showers) the beauty of Normandy Island and the reef is second to none. We were lucky enough to see whales too!
The tour was recommended to us by the lovely Maryanne at Cairns Discovery Tours as well as a tourist we met here who had been earlier in the week, and we were not disappointed. The island is quiet and beautiful. This is the only boat that comes to the island, so we were able to experience the day with a small group of about 40 instead of the hundreds of people and many boats of the other islands.
We were picked up by the Frankland Island bus from our hotel and a short bus ride later we arrived at the boat for our tour. The staff were all so accommodating, funny and shared a lot of information with us all. The staff to passenger ratio was really high and everyone went out of their way to ensure each person had a great time.
Once on the island we snorkeled (incredible!) and were lucky enough to see some amazing coral, fish and a turtle. The glass bottom boat ride gave us another opportunity to see the reef up close.
Lunch was also delicious!
Highly recommend. Our family - 2 adults, 2 teens had a memorable day - a huge thanks to the staff. We will most definitely be planning another trip so we can see it again (hopefully with a blue sky backdrop).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
306jeffo
Jul 30, 2024
Hidden Gem!! - This was my second trip with Frankland island Cruises and they never disappoint. Although the weather didn’t really play its part on our day, they crew made the day enjoyable and fun. I enjoy this day because you avoid the crazy tourist trap of the reef from Cairns, and the island is untouched other than the operators. This means that there are plenty of fish and reefs to explore. Don’t sleep on this tour!! It’s a great day out!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeggjones
Aug 27, 2024
Good experience overall with some issues. Thanks FIRC - The cruise is one of the best I have experienced with facilities that are perfect for snorkelling. Food excellent and staff mostly good.
I have reservations about the audio system and microphone on board and recommended to Kelly to get a better system after she tried to explain to my wife that she had been very explicit in her on board instructions when in fact the audio was so bad it kept cutting out!!
Anyway, other than this there were other staff on board who helped out anyone with snorkelling lessons which was great considering there were 85+ people on board that day. Thank you for your service and please give the customers the benefit of the doubt.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbara_e
Aug 19, 2024
The company wasn't the most organized but the snorkeling in the deeper water was great. - The pickup from our hotel was not well organized. We didn't receive any email from the company ahead of time. We only got a call from the driver who had us come and meet him around the corner even though our booking said we would be picked up at our hotel.
The snorkeling in the deeper water off the beach was great. It wasn't very good near the beach. The guides should have told people to go further out. One bathroom on the boat was out of order almost as soon as we got on board. The crew didn't try to fit masks or check that everything was fine before they started snorkeling. There wasn't any bathroom on the island. We did get to see whales. The semi-sub went too fast to really see much.
Review provided by Viator
Leigh_p
Aug 25, 2024
No I wouldn't recommend going - The boat had engine troubles so it took twice as long to travel to and from the island which ment less time on the island.
The semi sub glass was slimy which made visibility poor.
There was a dozen or so crew members on board that were on the day off, they were able to do more than us paying customers
Review provided by Viator
Alan_t
Aug 18, 2024
do not bother to enquire - there were not any memorable bits to enjoy, the tour was boring, the boat was dirty, windows filthy.aircon not working, the so called tropical lunch the only tropical thing about it was a few pieces of pineapple total waste of money next time i will be booking with a reputable operator
Review provided by Viator