The glass bottom boat tours on Fitzroy Island let you see coral gardens and tropical fish without getting wet. These tours suit non-swimmers, families with young kids, or anyone who prefers a relaxed way to look at the reef. There are a few different ways to join a glass bottom boat tour, depending on which ferry or tour company you use to get to Fitzroy Island.

Fitzroy Island Sports Hub (FISH) Glass Bottom Boat

The Fitzroy Island Sports Hub runs daily glass bottom boat tours that cruise over the fringing reef around the island. Crew give live commentary as you pass over soft corals and spot tropical marine life in the calm waters just off the beach. The tour lasts 45 minutes and is suitable for all ages.

1. Departure times: 9:30am and 3:00pm daily from Fitzroy Island
2. Duration: 45 minutes
3. Check-in: Fitzroy Island Sports Hub, next to the Resort Pool

The 9:30am tour lines up with visitors arriving on the 8:00am Fitzroy Flyer or the 8:30am Fitzroy Island Adventures ferries. The 3:00pm tour works for those leaving on the 4:00pm Fitzroy Island Adventures, 4:00pm Sunlover, or 5:00pm Fitzroy Flyer ferries. This makes it easy to fit a glass bottom boat tour into your day trip or overnight stay.

Pre-booking is recommended, especially during busy periods, but you can also book on the day at the Sports Hub if there are spots left.

Fitzroy Island Adventures Glass Bottom Boat

Fitzroy Island Adventures includes glass bottom boat tours as part of their ferry transfer packages. You can’t book this tour on its own; it’s bundled with your ferry ticket from Cairns. The actual tour times can vary, so check when you book your ferry ticket and confirm your schedule in advance.

1. Booking: Only available as a package with Fitzroy Island Adventures ferry transfers
2. Tour times: Vary, confirm when booking

This option is handy if you’re already planning to travel with Fitzroy Island Adventures and want to add a reef viewing activity to your day. The glass bottom boat tour gives you a relaxed look at the coral and fish around the island, with commentary from the crew.

Sunlover Reef Cruises Glass Bottom Boat

Sunlover Reef Cruises offers glass bottom boat tours as an add-on to their Fitzroy Island Day Tour. These tours are not available as a stand-alone activity, so you’ll need to book the full Sunlover day trip to Fitzroy Island first. The glass bottom boat times are set around tidal conditions, so the schedule can change from day to day.

1. Booking: Only available as an add-on to the Sunlover Fitzroy Island Day Tour
2. Tour times: Scheduled based on tides, check when booking

This option suits visitors who want a full day out with Sunlover and would like to include a glass bottom boat tour as part of their island visit. The boat departs from Fitzroy Island and takes you over the reef, with a guide pointing out marine life and coral formations.

What You’ll See

All glass bottom boat tours on Fitzroy Island travel over the fringing reef, which is home to corals, tropical fish, and sometimes turtles. The waters around the island are usually calm, making it easy to see the marine life below. The crew will help you spot different types of coral, clownfish, parrotfish, and other reef creatures as you cruise along.

Booking Tips

1. Check which ferry company you’re travelling with, as this affects which glass bottom boat tour you can book.
2. If you want flexibility, the Fitzroy Island Sports Hub tour can be booked on its own once you’re on the island.
3. For package deals, check with Fitzroy Island Adventures or Sunlover Reef Cruises when you book your ferry or day tour.
4. Tour times can change, especially for Sunlover, so confirm your schedule when booking.
5. Pre-booking is a good idea during school holidays or weekends.

Getting There

Fitzroy Island is about 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns. Ferries run several times a day with different operators. Once you arrive, the glass bottom boat tours depart from the main beach area, close to the resort and ferry jetty, so it’s easy to find your meeting point.

Glass bottom boat tours are a simple way to see the Great Barrier Reef’s marine life up close, no snorkel required.