Frankland Islands Express Tour
Save on money, not on memories!
Short on time but still want to experience the best of the reef? Our new Express Tour is perfect for those looking for a later start and an earlier return – ideal for families with young children, cruise ship passengers, or those who want to fit more into their Cairns itinerary.
Enjoy all the magic of Normanby Island and the Great Barrier Reef with core inclusions such as:
- Time to swim, explore the island, or simply relax on the beach
- Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available for use
- Choice of one guided activity (semi-sub tour or guided beach snorkelling tour)
This express tour does not include the adventure snorkel safari, guided island walk or kids treasure hunt, and has an optional picnic lunch add-on, making it a more flexible, value-conscious option.


Departure Information
- Available from Monday 28th July 2025
- Complimentary coach transfers from Cairns CBD hotels commence at 9.00 am
- If you prefer to self-drive, please allow time for the drive and check in at Deeral by 10.00 am
- The transfer vessel departs Deeral at 10.15 am and returns approximately 2.30 pm
Want more time in paradise? Check out our All-inclusive Full Day Tour option here.
Frankland Islands Reef Cruises
Express Tour Prices
Adult (17+)
$175
Child (16 – 4 years)
$90
Infant (3 years and under)
Free of charge
Family Pass (2AD and 2CH)
second child travels free!
$440
Includes complimentary coach transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation
River, Rainforest and Reef Activities
Amazing adventures available during your perfect day
Semi-Submarine Tour
Discover the pristine coral reefs without getting your feet wet from the comfort of our semi-submarine. Take a guided tour of the reefs that surround the islands and learn about the Great Barrier Reef’s incredible ecosystem. Get up close and personal with fish, turtles and a diverse range of hard and soft corals.
Please note: The Guided Beach Snorkel takes place at the same time as the Semi-Sub tour.
Guided Beach Snorkel
See more of the reef with the guided beach snorkel tour. Starting off from the beach, you’ll enjoy an easy 30-minute snorkel tour guided by our marine biologist, who will point out interesting coral and marine life and share information along the way.
Please note: The Semi-Sub tour takes place at the same time as the Guided Beach Snorkel.

Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Glide through the clear tropical waters and enjoy amazing views of the corals, fish and marine life below with our two-seater kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, available for use during the day.

Picnic Lunch (Optional Extra)
Tuck into a delicious pre-packed picnic lunch, which can be added on to our Express Tour (must be pre-booked 24 hours in advance). Including both vegetarian and vegan options for every taste.
The crew was so friendly and everything was well organized! Pick up & drop off were timely. They had so much gear and we saw so much wildlife.
A fun day with lots to do and a very friendly and helpful crew. Enjoyed all the activities. The snorkelling was great, all the gear was provided and one crew even swam with us and took us out to see the reef as we weren’t very confident and are not very good swimmers. The semi submarine was beautiful and we saw a turtle and a sting ray. And finally the island walk – very interesting and informative. All in all a great experience and a big thanks to the crew.
Amazing day out on the reef so many turtles and fish to see the staff are amazing they know exactly where to look for things and let you know. Day is well run and organised friendly and helpful staff made the day one to remember.
Absolutely loved my experience with Frankland Island Tours! From start to finish, it was a fantastic day. The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful, making us feel welcome right away. Our guides, were amazing! They were so knowledgeable about the reef, the island, and all the marine life. We learned so much and had a great time doing it.
The island itself is stunning, and the snorkeling was out of this world. We saw so many colorful fish and even a few turtles! Everything was well-organized and ran smoothly, which made the whole day relaxing and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a great day trip in the Cairns area, I highly recommend Frankland Island Tours! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Truly Cairns hidden gem… knowledgeable and friendly staff all inclusive .. absolutely pristine..turtles baby sharks so much marine life large fish and variety of coral .. food was lovely .. very good value for money .. not a huge day ..felt relaxing ..even W kids 😉
Our experience with Frankland Islands Cruises was absolutely incredible! The staff were remarkably knowledgeable, helpful, fun, and full of energy, making the entire day a joy from start to finish.
We’re so glad we chose this cruise over the others—it was perfect for families and packed with activities! Snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking—we did it all! Swimming with turtles, countless fish, and seeing the vibrant coral up close was simply unforgettable.
Lunch was delicious and exactly what we needed after such an action-packed day.
This has truly been the highlight of our trip, and we can’t thank the amazing staff enough for making it so special. Highly recommend Frankland Islands Cruises!
Despite some showers and a thunderstorm during lunch, it was an excellent day for my two kids and I. We much prefer this experience over the outer reef because the water was calmer and easier for the kids to handle. Plenty of marine life to see. Staff were great. We did not partake in the glass boat tour or the island walk because my kids wanted to stay on the beach, snorkel, and kayak. You can customize your experience to suit your desires. Thank you Frankland Island Reef Cruises for a memorable day!
Great tour. Worth the money. The crew makes sure that everyone finds the right activity. The equipment is sufficient. The activities are well planned. I would absolutely recommend the tour.
This tour was the highlight of our holiday and the best snorkeling to be had outside of the outer Great Barrier Reef. We saw clown fish living in bright blue anemones, a reef shark, turtles and a bright yellow box fish. Conditions were very calm and clear on the day we went. It was like swimming my in an aquarium.
Staff were professional and helpful and food was great. There were even beach games for young children.
We loved our day on a tropical island, admiring the views, snorkeling, swimming and stand up paddle boarding.
Undoubtedly one of the best island trip, if not the best. To begin with, once you are picked up by the bus, the bus ride to the ferry is unbelievably beautiful. With mountains and sugar cane fields. The ferry ride on the river and sea is smooth and not bumpy which keeps sea sickness away.
The island itself is a Virgin island. You will have semi submarine tours and snorkeling. Beginners will have guides on water. The underwater coral view is truly amazing. The staff is super friendly and will take good care. Highly recommend 👌