Visit Fitzroy Island currently offers three return ferry options from Cairns to Fitzroy Island. The biggest difference is how much time you get on the island — from 4 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes.
All three travel from the Reef Fleet Terminal and Marlin Marina precinct in Cairns, with a crossing of about 45 minutes. Check-in times and locations differ by service, so compare the options below before you book.
Which Fitzroy Island ferry should you choose?
Choosing between them. The earlier Fitzroy Flyer is the one to choose if you want the most time on Fitzroy Island. The later Fitzroy Flyer suits you if you prefer a later departure from Cairns. Sunlover’s Sundancer is the one to take if you want to be back in Cairns by late afternoon.
Where you check in. Fitzroy Flyer passengers check in at the Fitzroy Island counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, then board at Berth 20 on the Marlin Marina Wharf. Sunlover passengers check in at the Sunlover desk inside the same terminal. The check-in window for your sailing is shown on its tour page and on your booking confirmation.
Getting to Fitzroy Island: A 45-Minute Ferry Ride from Cairns City
Fitzroy Island is reached by high-speed ferry from Cairns city, with check-in at the Reef Fleet Terminal and boarding at the neighbouring Marlin Marina — a crossing that takes approximately 45 minutes and is, in itself, a lovely part of the island experience. As the Cairns waterfront recedes and the reef colours deepen around the boat, there’s a genuine sense of arrival that begins well before you step ashore.
Ferry Services
Visit Fitzroy Island currently offers return ferry options with two operators: the Fitzroy Flyer, operated by Fitzroy Island Resort, and the Sundancer, operated by Sunlover Reef Cruises. Passengers check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns Esplanade and board their vessel at the adjoining Marlin Marina. The morning ferry departs early enough to give you a full island day, and the afternoon return services allow you to stay as long as the island holds you.
Booking in advance is recommended — particularly during Queensland school holidays, the peak dry season months of June through September, and public holiday weekends. If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s worth taking precautions on windier days.
Getting to the Reef Fleet Terminal
The Reef Fleet Terminal is centrally located on the Cairns Esplanade and is easily reached by taxi, rideshare, or a short walk from most Cairns accommodation. There is parking nearby if you’re driving in from further afield, though arriving on foot or by taxi is generally simpler. Check-in times and locations vary by ferry service, so use the check-in time shown on your tour page and booking confirmation rather than a single rule of thumb.
A Hot Getaways destination. Where Care is Our Compass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Fitzroy Island from Cairns?
Fitzroy Island is reached by a high-speed ferry from Cairns, a crossing of about 45 minutes. You check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns Esplanade and board your vessel at the neighbouring Marlin Marina. The three return ferry options Visit Fitzroy Island books are compared above.
Where do the Fitzroy Island ferries check in and depart?
Check-in is inside the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns Esplanade, and vessels board at the adjoining Marlin Marina. The two are right next to each other, so allow a little time to check in and walk to your boat before departure.
Which operators run ferries to Fitzroy Island?
Visit Fitzroy Island compares three return ferry options from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns, and books all three. Sunlover Reef Cruises operates the Sundancer, departing Cairns at 10:15am and leaving the island at 3:30pm. Fitzroy Island Resort operates the Fitzroy Flyer. The two Flyer departures shown above leave Cairns at 8:00am and 11:00am, and both leave the island at 5:00pm. Current return fares for all three are shown in the comparison above. Other operators also run services to the island.
How long is the ferry to Fitzroy Island?
The crossing takes about 45 minutes each way. How much time you get ashore depends on which service you take: the 8:00am Fitzroy Flyer gives you 8 hours 15 minutes on the island, from 8:45am to 5:00pm; the 11:00am Fitzroy Flyer gives you 5 hours 15 minutes, from 11:45am to 5:00pm; and Sunlover’s 10:15am Sundancer gives you 4 hours 30 minutes, from 11:00am to 3:30pm.
How early should I arrive before my Fitzroy Island ferry?
Check-in times vary by ferry service, so use the check-in time shown on your tour page and booking confirmation. The Fitzroy Flyer closes check-in 30 minutes before departure – by 7:30am for the 8:00am sailing and by 10:30am for the 11:00am – at the Fitzroy Island counter inside the Reef Fleet Terminal, with boarding at Berth 20 on the Marlin Marina Wharf. Sunlover services check in at the Sunlover desk inside the same terminal, with the 10:15am Sundancer checking in from 8:45am to 9:45am. Some cruises close check-in earlier again, so always use the check-in time shown on the booking confirmation for the service you have booked.
Travel Kindly
At Hot Getaways, care is our compass — and a little kindness makes every journey better. When you visit Fitzroy Island, we gently ask you to:
- Protect the reef — wear reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or stand on the coral.
- Respect the wildlife — admire turtles, birds and marine life from a distance, and take your rubbish home with you.
- Support local — choosing local operators and guides helps this beautiful place thrive.
- Honour Country — we visit on the traditional lands and sea Country of the Gunggandji people, and travel with gratitude and respect.
- Be kind to each other — a smile, a little patience and a helping hand make the island lovelier for everyone.
Small acts of care add up to something wonderful. Thank you for travelling kindly.
