Reef Environmental Management Charge: +$20 per person
Not included in the ticket price. Paid directly at check-in. Budget $309 adult / $245 child for the full cost.
Our Review
Ocean Free Review 2026: Cairns' Most Intimate Green Island Experience
Ocean Free runs the most intimate Green Island experience from Cairns: a 16-metre sailing schooner, a strict cap of 25 guests, and an exclusive mooring at Pinnacle Reef, a snorkel site no other operator can access. Everything comes with the base ticket: guided snorkel, snorkel gear, stinger suit, morning tea, seafood smorgasbord lunch with salmon and prawns, afternoon tea, and a glass of wine on the return crossing.
One number to factor in before booking: the $20 Reef Environmental Management Charge (EMC) is not in the advertised price and is collected at check-in. Effective total: $309 adult / $245 child. Best for couples and dedicated snorkellers who want the best Green Island experience. Not the right choice for budget travellers, young families, or non-swimmers.
GuestTours Verdict
The most intimate Green Island experience available from Cairns. Max 25 guests, exclusive Pinnacle Reef mooring, and a full seafood lunch included. Best for couples and dedicated snorkellers. Budget the extra $20 reef levy at check-in.
What's Included
Inclusions and Exclusions
- Return sailing schooner crossing
- Green Island access
- Exclusive Pinnacle Reef mooring
- Guided snorkel session
- Snorkel gear, mask and fins
- Flotation vest
- Lycra stinger suit
- Morning tea
- Seafood smorgasbord lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Glass of wine or sparkling (return)
Not included: Reef levy ($20 per person, paid at check-in) · Hotel transfers · Scuba diving (add-on, price TBC) · Marineland Melanesia entry
Reasons to choose
- Max 25 guests, most intimate Green Island tour
- Exclusive Pinnacle Reef, uncrowded snorkelling
- Seafood smorgasbord lunch included
- Guided snorkel session with crew
- Glass of wine or sparkling on return
- 16-metre sailing schooner experience
Things to consider
- Most expensive Green Island option
- No family pass, prices per person only
- $20 reef levy not in advertised price
- Min age 4, not ideal for very young children
Day Itinerary
What Happens on the Day
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8:00 AMDepart Reef Fleet Terminal1 Spence St, Cairns. Pay the $20 reef levy at check-in before boarding. Arrive early to avoid delays.
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~8:45 AMArrive Pinnacle ReefOcean Free's exclusive mooring, approximately 1 km from Green Island. Guided snorkel session with the crew. No other operators stop here.
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Mid-morningMorning tea on boardServed while the schooner sails to Green Island. When conditions allow, the motor is cut and the vessel sails under canvas.
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~10:00 AMArrive Green IslandFree time to explore the island: rainforest walks, beach, Marineland Melanesia (entry fee applies separately), shops and island café.
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MiddaySeafood smorgasbord lunchSalmon, prawns and more. Served on board the schooner.
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AfternoonAfternoon tea and free timeContinue exploring Green Island or relax on the beach. Scuba diving add-on is available during this period (book in advance).
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~4:00 PMDepart Green IslandGlass of wine or sparkling on the return crossing. Sit back and enjoy the sail back to Cairns.
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~5:00 PMArrive CairnsReef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns. Approximate return time, subject to conditions.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Your ticket includes the return sailing schooner crossing, Green Island access, snorkel gear (mask, fins, lycra stinger suit and flotation vest), a guided snorkel session at Pinnacle Reef, morning tea, a seafood smorgasbord lunch (salmon and prawns), afternoon tea, and a glass of wine or sparkling on the return. The only item not included in the ticket price is the $20 Reef Environmental Management Charge, which is paid at check-in.
The Reef Environmental Management Charge (EMC) is a mandatory fee collected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It applies to all reef and island tours from Cairns and Port Douglas. Ocean Free collects it at check-in, it is not in the advertised ticket price. The actual total is $309 per adult and $245 per child (4-14).
Pinnacle Reef is a specific reef formation approximately 1 km from Green Island, where Ocean Free holds an exclusive commercial mooring permit. No other tour operator can stop here. The practical effect is that you snorkel with the other 24 people on your boat, not with dozens of guests from other operators. Visibility and coral cover are generally better than the fringing reef accessible from Green Island's shore.
Three reasons: the group is capped at 25 (vs 100+ on larger operators), the inclusions are more comprehensive (guided snorkel, full seafood lunch, wine on return), and you access Pinnacle Reef, which no other operator uses. Running a 16-metre schooner with 25 guests costs significantly more per person than a high-speed catamaran with 200. You're paying for a fundamentally different experience.
Children aged 4 and over are welcome, at $225 per child. For children under 4, let us know in the booking form and we'll confirm the details for you. There is no family rate, prices are per person. Ocean Free is primarily designed for adults and couples. If you're travelling with young children, Big Cat Green Island (with 4 departure times and a glass bottom boat) may be a better fit.
Yes, scuba diving, both introductory (no certification required) and certified, is available as an add-on. Dive pricing isn't listed publicly. Note your interest in the booking form and we'll confirm prices with you.
Ocean Free is a 16-metre sailing schooner with both motor and sails. When wind conditions are favourable, the motor is switched off and the vessel sails under canvas, something none of the catamaran operators can offer. Whether you sail on your particular departure depends on the weather that day.
Ocean Free's snorkelling is the best available for a Green Island day trip, primarily because of the exclusive Pinnacle Reef mooring. Big Cat and Great Adventures snorkel from the same fringing reef zone accessible from shore, which is good but shared with many other groups. Ocean Free's guided snorkel session also means you're shown the best spots rather than exploring independently.
Hotel transfers are available as an add-on. Pricing isn't listed publicly. Note your interest in the booking form and we'll confirm transfer options for your hotel.
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear and a towel. Snorkel gear and a stinger suit are provided. Bring $20 cash or card for the reef levy at check-in. Leave valuables at your hotel. Lunch and refreshments are all included throughout the day.
Free cancellation if you cancel 48 hours or more before departure. Within 48 hours the booking is non-refundable. If the tour is cancelled by the operator due to weather or sea conditions, you receive a full refund or can reschedule at no cost.
Big Cat is the better choice if you want flexibility (4 departure times, half day option), budget ($122 vs $289 + $20 levy), or are travelling with a family. Ocean Free is better if you want the finest snorkelling available for a Green Island trip, a truly small-group experience, a seafood lunch included, and the sailing schooner atmosphere. They're fundamentally different products.
No. Ocean Free does not offer a family rate. Pricing is adult ($289) or child aged 4-14 ($225), per person. If family pricing is important, Big Cat Green Island offers a family pass at $305 for two adults and two children.
Ocean Free departs from Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence St, Cairns, at 8:00 AM. Arrive early to pay the reef levy ($20 per person) at check-in before boarding. The tour returns to the same terminal at approximately 5:00 PM.
Ocean Free
Full Day Sailing Tour · Green Island · Cairns
Ticket Prices (reef levy extra)
Adult
Full day sailing tour
$289
Child (4-14)
Full day sailing tour
$225
+$20 reef levy per person paid at check-in. Total: $309 adult / $245 child.
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↩️ Free cancellation 48h+