A full visitor’s guide to Fitzroy Island from Cairns, Australia. Discover everything you need to know for your trip, including how to get there, what to do, and the best spots to explore on this beautiful island.
Fitzroy Island is one of the top tropical spots in North Queensland. It’s only a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, making it an easy must-see when you’re in the area.
You can enjoy lots of activities on Fitzroy Island, like hiking through the rainforest, snorkeling in the beautiful coral reef, and swimming with turtles.
Little about Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is a beautiful tropical island with its own National Park, known as Fitzroy Island National Park. It is also part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks, which helps protect its natural beauty for everyone to enjoy.
The only privately owned area on the island is in Welcome Bay. This part is managed by Fitzroy Island Resort, which is the only place to stay on the island.
Welcome Bay is a wonderful spot to visit, with calm, clear waters and a lovely reef along the beach.
In addition to Welcome Bay, visitors can explore the island’s walking tracks that lead to places like Nudey Beach, the lighthouse, and the mountain summit.
Here’s how to reach the Fitzroy Island
The stunning Fitzroy Island is just a quick 45-minute ferry ride from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. This makes it the closest and easiest Great Barrier Reef Island to reach from Cairns.
Some popular ferries to the island are the Fitzroy Flyer, Sunlover, and Fitzroy Island Adventures.
Things to enjoy on Fitzroy Island
Here are the activities you can do on Fitzroy Island, such as exploring walking trails, enjoying beach activities, snorkeling to spot green sea turtles and tropical fish, and discovering the island’s best beaches.
You’re more likely to spot green sea turtles on Fitzroy Island than on Green Island.
Snorkelling on Fitzroy Island
A tropical island means there’s plenty to do underwater. Fitzroy Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, making snorkelling a top activity here!
Head to the north end, where you’ll find big parrotfish, lots of small fish swimming together, healthy coral reefs, and sometimes even a green or hawksbill turtle.
Best Locations for Snorkelling on Fitzroy Island
White Rock
White Rock is a big, white boulder at the northern end of Welcome Bay. If you’re curious about why it’s so white, the reason is simple—it’s covered in bird poo!
But it’s not the rock that attracts people. The coral around White Rock is famous for turtle sightings. You can also see healthy stag coral formations and the ‘trees’ planted by the Reef Restoration Foundation.”
Welcome Bay
The reef around the ferry wharf at Welcome Bay is good for beginner snorkelers. The hard corals might not be very exciting, but you might see a turtle now and then.
If you swim a bit farther out, the coral gets better. But watch out for boats, as there are many in this area. Keep reading below to discover the best spots.
Shark Fin Rock
Shark Fin Rock is at the northern end of Welcome Bay. You can either swim around the rocks or walk along them and enter the water from there.
Don’t be concerned by the name—it comes from the shape of the rock, not because there are sharks. The snorkelling area around Shark Fin Rock has a healthier reef and more coral than Welcome Bay. This is where the glass-bottom boat and snorkel tours often go.
Nudey Beach Point
Nudey Beach is not just one of Australia’s most stunning beaches on land; it’s also a fantastic spot for snorkelling. You can swim out from the beach or the rocks at the point.
Keep an eye out for turtles swimming by and maybe even spot a blacktip reef shark!
Are blacktip reef sharks dangerous? These sharks are shy and easily scared, so they usually aren’t a danger to humans. There are no reports of anyone ever being killed by a blacktip reef shark. Because they are so timid, it can be hard to get close to them while scuba diving.
Take a walk on the Fitzroy Island trails
One of the top activities on Fitzroy Island, besides snorkeling, is exploring the island’s well-known walking trails. There are five main bush walks, all starting from the beach at Welcome Bay.
Here are three amazing walking trails on Fitzroy Island that are truly worth your time.
The Nudey Beach Track
There’s a shorter, scenic walk on Fitzroy Island that goes the opposite way from Welcome Bay Wharf, leading to Nudey Beach. This walk takes about 15 minutes through thick tropical rainforest.
At the end, you’ll reach one of Australia’s best beaches! I recommend visiting Nudey Beach at sunrise or sunset, especially if you’re staying on the island.
Fitzroy Island Summit Walk
The longest walk on Fitzroy Island leads to the highest point in the National Park. The trail is about 3.6 kilometers round trip from Welcome Bay, reaching an elevation of 269 meters.
You can start the walk at the northern end of Welcome Bay, just past the campground. Signs are posted along the way, so it’s easy to follow.
At the top, you’ll find the best view of the island. We usually hike up for sunset to enjoy amazing views of the Coral Sea and the southern bays of Fitzroy Island. From the summit, you can even catch a glimpse of Nudey Beach from a unique angle.
If you enjoy hiking, make sure to add this lookout track to your list of things to do on Fitzroy Island!
After reaching the Fitzroy summit, it’s a good idea to visit the lighthouse before heading back to Welcome Bay since it’s just a short detour.
Complete Guide to Hike on Fitzroy Island via Fitzroy Summit Track
Fitzroy Island Lighthouse Walk
Another walk on Fitzroy Island leads to the lighthouse. This path stays on the main summit track but goes straight instead of climbing up to the summit.
The way to the lighthouse is much flatter and takes about 10 minutes on a paved road from the start of the summit track.
The lighthouse itself isn’t the most impressive one near Cairns or in Tropical North Queensland, but the view from the cliff is worth the walk. If it’s the right season, you might even see a migrating humpback whale from here!
Check out the Turtle Sanctuary
Fitzroy Island is home to the Fitzroy Island Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a turtle sanctuary on the island. This non-profit program is managed by the Island Resort and focuses on helping sick and injured turtles from the island and the nearby Great Barrier Reef Marine Park recover.
Take a ride on a glass-bottom boat tour at Fitzroy Island
If snorkeling and free diving aren’t your thing, but you’d still like to see the reef, there’s an option for you. Fitzroy Island offers a glass-bottom boat tour, which lets you enjoy the underwater world without getting wet.
This tour is organized by the Fitzroy Island Resort and is available to both resort guests and day-trippers. It’s a good idea to book in advance, especially if you’re planning your trip.
For the best deal, consider the “Full-Day Adventure Tour,” which includes the glass-bottom boat experience along with snorkel gear hire at a lower price than booking them separately.
Rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or sea kayak from FISH (Fitzroy Island Sports Hub)
If you’re going to Fitzroy Island for a day trip or staying a few days, renting a SUP or kayak is a fun way to explore.
If you’re there for the day, you can rent gear right in front of the resort. They have everything you need for water activities, like snorkelling equipment, SUPs, and kayaks. For diving tours or extra gear like wetsuits, stinger suits, and fins, visit Fitzroy Island Sports Hub aka FISH.
Fitzroy Island Sports Hub Hire Services
| Equipment | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Snorkel, mask & fins | $30 per set | per day |
| Single sea kayaks | $25 per kayak | 45 mins |
| Double sea kayaks | $40 per kayak | 45 mins |
| Life jacket, & stinger suits | $15 per item | per day |
| Wetsuit hire | $20 per item | per day |
Tour & Activity Timetable at FISH
| ACTIVITY | DURATION | WHEN |
|---|---|---|
| Snorkel Safari Tour | 1 hr 45 mins | Daily / 10:00am + 1:00pm |
| Intro Snorkel Adventure w/ Snorkel Safari | 2 hrs 15 mins | Daily / 9:30am + 12:30pm |
| Glass Bottom Boat | 1 hr | Daily / 9.30am + 3pm |
| Kayak Guided Tour | 1 hr | Daily / 10:30am |
| Turtle Rehabilitation Centre Tour | 45 mins | Tue-Sun/ 12:45pm & 2:30pm |
| Junior Marine Biologist Program | 3 hrs | Every Sun / 9.30am + 1pm |
| Marine Conservation Program | 7 hrs | Every Mon / 9.00am |
**Note** These prices and tour timings may vary, so you can check Fitzroy Island Sports website for more current information.
Try Scuba Diving at Fitzroy Island
If you want to try something more exciting than regular snorkeling, you can spend a day scuba diving.
These dives start just 30 meters from the resort, making it a simple and beginner-friendly experience. There’s only one dive shop on Fitzroy Island that’s allowed to run scuba diving trips, and they operate out of the resort.
You’ll find many excellent dive spots nearby, like Welcome Bay and Little Fitzroy Island on the north side.
If you want to book PADI or get more information, you can visit Fitzroy Island Resort Scuba Diving website here
Enjoy a cocktail at Foxy’s Bar
If you’re relaxing in Welcome Bay, don’t miss a visit to Foxy’s Bar before heading to Nudey Beach. This spot offers tasty food and cold drinks, making it an ideal place to end your day with a sunset drink or meal.
Staying at Fitzroy Island Resort
Spend a few days enjoying all the activities and attractions on Fitzroy Island. You can stay at the Island Resort, which is the only place to stay on the island.
The Resort Studio offers different types of rooms, including en suite rooms, rainforest bungalows, beach cabins, and full ocean suites. There’s something for every budget and travel style.
All rooms at Fitzroy Island Resort have air conditioning, a private bathroom, a shower, and a fridge. When you book a stay, you also get access to beach rental gear, the resort’s swimming pool, bar, and in-house cinema.
Whether you’re a couple, in a group, or with family, staying at Fitzroy Island Resort is a great way to enjoy the island and can be very affordable.
How it is to Stay at Fitzroy Island Resort: Full Guide
Camping on Fitzroy Island
If you prefer a more basic experience over fancy resorts, you can camp at Fitzroy Island. Right next to the Fitzroy Island Resort, there’s a big camping area where you can set up a tent and stay overnight.
It costs $39 per tent per night for up to max 4 people. At first, this might seem expensive, but it’s actually quite reasonable if you share the cost with up to four people.
This is what we did on our first visit, and we found it to be an affordable way to enjoy a night on the island.
The resort manages the campground, and you can book your spot through them.
Getting Around Fitzroy Island
There isn’t any transport on the island, so you’ll need to walk to get around. But don’t worry—most of the top spots and activities on Fitzroy Island are easy to reach on foot from Welcome Bay.
When you arrive, you’ll find a map that shows all the island’s paths.
Here are some common questions about visiting Fitzroy Island
What can I do if I have only one day on Fitzroy Island? If you’re visiting for just one day, you can explore Nudey Beach, hike to the summit lookout, snorkel at Welcome Bay, and even rent a kayak. If you only have a half day, you’ll probably have time to relax on the beach and do some snorkeling.
Are there any shops on Fitzroy Island? There are two main restaurants and a small corner store on the island. The store has high prices for basic snacks and drinks, so it’s a good idea to bring snacks from the mainland.
Where can I park for the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns? There’s a large paid parking lot next to the terminal. Alternatively, you can find free parking in the middle aisle of the Cairns CBD, but spaces are limited.
How much does it cost to visit Fitzroy Island? A return ferry ticket usually costs around $89 for a full day on the island. For a half-day trip from Cairns, it costs around $70 if you book through BackpackerDeals. Keep in mind, that you’ll pay extra for snorkel gear, lunch, or snacks.
How long should I spend on Fitzroy Island? Three days is ideal to fully enjoy Fitzroy Island, but if you’re short on time, one night and two days is enough to see the main attractions and relax on the beaches near Cairns.
Is the island expensive? Yes, prices for food and drinks on the island are higher than in Cairns. Renting snorkel gear costs around $20, which is reasonable.
Can you swim at the beach on Fitzroy Island? Absolutely! Swimming is one of the top activities on Fitzroy Island.
