Fitzroy Island Review | Day Trip, Accommodation, & Things to do
Everything you need to know about a Fitzroy Island Day Trip or Holiday! If you are wanting to catch the ferry to Fitzroy Island near Cairns for a day trip or looking for a family holiday destination in far north Queensland, our guide has all the information you need. Find our Fitzroy Island Review below.
Visiting Fitzroy Island
One of our favourite places in far north Queensland is Fitzroy Island, and we highly recommend a visit if you love nature walks, marine life, and love to snorkel. On our most recent trip we spent a few nights here, and didn’t want to leave!
In this guide we go through everything you need to know about Fitzroy Island, whether you are wanting to do a day trip to Fitzroy Island or looking for Fitzroy Island Accommodation on the island.
Here you can find the following:
- The Ferry to Fitzroy Island
- Best things to do on Fitzroy Island
- Fitzroy Island Snorkelling
- Walks on Fitzroy Island
- Fitzroy Island Resort Accommodation
- General tips for visiting Fitzroy Island
Where is Fitzroy Island?
So where is Fitzroy Island? Fitzroy Island is located almost 30kms south east of Cairns and is one of the best day trips from Cairns as it is only a 45 minute boat ride leaving from the marina near the centre.
Cairns airport is only about a 10 minute drive from the marina and has daily flights from most of the main airports within Australia making Fitzroy Island an easy family holiday destination.
Fitzroy Island National Park
Fitzroy Island is a National Park covered in a tropical rainforest. One of the most beautiful islands on the east coast of Australia, it is simply stunning and everywhere you walk looks like the front of a postcard.
There are plenty of things to do on Fitzroy Island for nature lovers. You can find various beautiful walking trails, gorgeous beaches and stunning crystal clear water filled with coral reefs, colourful fish, sea turtles and other marine life.
You can easily visit Fitzroy Island on a day trip, or I recommend staying a few days in the Fitzroy Island resort and really soak up everything there is to offer.
Fitzroy Island Day Trip
One of the most popular questions about the island has been “Is a day trip to Fitzroy Island worth it? Yes! If you don’t have enough time to stay over then a day trip is still worth it.
You can book the Fitzroy Flyer through the Fitzroy Island website and the first ferry leaves at 8am with the last coming back at 5pm giving you a a good 6-7 hours to experience the island.
The journey is short and sweet and you can see the mainland most of the time which is good for those who get seasick, especially compared to the ferry out to Green Island which is more rough.
Arrival is at the jetty where you can walk straight through to the resort and reception. It’s pretty easy. And the boat to leave is from the same place you arrive.
If you are planning a day trip to Fitzroy Island, make sure to check out the activities offered and plan your day accordingly so you can do everything you want to do. If you are happy to just lay on the beach and snorkel then not much planning is needed.
Below you can find some of the best things to do on Fitzroy Island. If you are planning to spend a few days on Fitzroy Island like we did, you can find information about Fitzroy accommodation at the end of the post.
Best Things to do Fitzroy Island
On our most recent trip, we spent a few days on Fitzroy Island so we had plenty of time to experience quite a bit although we are still hanging to go back again as we loved it that much. Here are some of the best things to do on Fitzroy Island.
Fitzroy Island Snorkelling
The snorkelling on Fitzroy Island is unbelievable and so easy too especially for families with younger children or those who aren’t so experienced.
You can bring your own snorkel gear, or if you don’t have your own you can rent it from the resort for a fee.
There are tours for more experienced snorkellers however you really don’t need to go far as you can literally snorkel off the beach and you see marine life within metres of the shore. This makes it perfect for those who have little ones, as you can go in and out as you like.
Those who do a day trip to Fitzroy Island usually stick the left side of the jetty and it is usually packed full of people in that area.
We recommend heading to the right side of the jetty and towards the Butterfly Bungalow accommodation, that’s where we spent most of our time and were able to have some fantastic experiences.
The coral is stunning and there are colourful fish swimming around everywhere. We swam with so many sea turtles we lost count, sometimes just swimming beside them for long periods at a time watching them swim to the floor and then up for air over and over.
My 10 year old got to see a small shark in that area too, which is apparently quite common, along with the spotted rays too.
The best time to snorkel off the beach is when the tide is in. Take care in entering the water when the tide is out because you could damage the coral or even injure yourself. There are signs around the island but if in doubt just ask one of the staff the best spots on entering the water.
Note: If you are visiting during November-May make sure to wear the stinger suits as there can be stingers in the water during this time.
Fitzroy Island Activities
Along with snorkelling on Fitzroy Island there are other activities too. You can hire a SUP to head out on the water which is great to see marine life further out.
There are also kayak and scuba diving tours for those more adventurous as well, and for those who want to stay dry there are glass bottom boat tours too.
For the young kids or those who aren’t too keen on snorkelling, you can see turtles at the Turtle rehabilitation centre on site.
It is a voluntary non- profit organisation with many turtles which are sick or injured. They are kept there until released back into the wild. If you want to visit, you will need to make sure you book in early as they get quite busy.
Don’t miss the fish feeding on the jetty daily, ask reception for the times.
Fitzroy Island Walks
If you have time, Fitzroy Island have a range of great walks you can do.
Secret Garden Track – 1km return (45mins)
One of the easiest walks on Fitzroy Island is the Secret Garden Track which is a gorgeous walk out to the western side of the jetty. It is only 1km return so a great one for all ages. We did this one a couple of times. Though sturdy shoes are recommended we all wore sandals and were fine.
The track winds itself through the lush tropical rainforest around lots of huge granite boulders. At the end of the track is a platform to rest and enjoy the views around you. Look up while you are walking to see lots of birds and butterflies.
Nudey Beach Track – 1km return (45mins)
Another fairly easy walk is the Nudey Beach Track which starts near Foxys Bar, again on the western side of the jetty. The walk is through the rainforest and coastal woodlands and takes you out to the beautiful Nudey Beach. (Note this isn’t a nudist beach so make sure to keep your swimmers on!)
Bring your snorkels and towels for this one as there is some great coral to be seen. Lots of beautiful photo opportunities too and a couple of swings to swing on looking out to the sea views.
Summit Track – 2.6km return (3hrs)
This is one of the more challenging Fitzroy Island walks for those who are up for more of an adventure. Starting from behind the jetty it takes around 3 hours to complete winding around the rainforest and coastal woodlands and then up towards the summit rewarding you with wonderful views of the island when you reach the top.
Make sure to wear sturdy shoes for this one and bring plenty of water.
Fitzroy Island Pool
Fitzroy Island Resort has a pool reserved for guests so day trippers aren’t usually allowed in the area. For those who are staying over the pool area offers a great place to base yourselves between activities. We would go back and forth throughout the day to relax in between snorkelling and walks.
There are plenty of sunbeds available, a swim up pool bar and a few different pools including a shallow kids play pool which is perfect for families with little ones.
There is a spa, however we found it was the same temperature as the pool.
Fitzroy Island Restaurants
Fitzroy Island is quite small so food is limited however there are a couple of different meal options depending on your budget.
Foxy’s Bar
Foxy’s Bar is a casual café style restaurant right on the beachfront with great views especially at sunset. This was our favourite as we didn’t have to book and it was just easy to turn up and order. We had a few meals here.
They serve up a range of casual meal options including fish n chips, burgers etc as well as kids meals. Prices are quite reasonable for island dining and they also offer take away options too.
You can find coffee as well as beer and wine, and some amazing cocktails too! If you can grab a spot at one of the beach front benches you can have a drink watching the most beautiful sunset.
Zephyr Restaurant
Open for breakfast and dinner only, Zephyr Restaurant is a more formal dining experience offering a la carte dining with a modern Australian menu.
We found prices here much more expensive and it gets very busy so need to book your dinner on arrival to avoid missing out.
Though we didn’t eat here, the meals looked great and the tables were always busy. We wanted to be more flexible and just didn’t want to be held to a reservation time.
Pool Bar
The pool is open for island guests only so if you are staying overnight you can enjoy the sunbeds and the swim up bar.
You can order pizza from the bar during certain times and our kids loved having pizza by the pool when we were resting from activities. (Update: Pizza is no longer served in 2026 at the pool bar)
For day trippers you can order drinks, cocktails and pizza to eat on the allocated outdoor tables with sea views.
General Store
Open daily the General Store offers some packaged food such as pies, pasties, and sandwiches etc along with soft drinks and ice cream.
You can also find things like potato chips, muesli bars, milk, bread and other general food needs. Prices are quite reasonable for an island, from memory the pies were around $6.
BYO
You can also bring your own food over to Fitzroy Island if you are on a budget or just want to save money.
You can pack a cooler bag for a day trip or bring a larger eski over if you are staying in the resort. Many of the accommodation options have fridges to keep your food cool. Just check how big your fridge is before bringing too much over as all accommodation is different.
Fitzroy Island Resort Accommodation
Now for the Fitzroy Island Accommodation. We definitely recommend staying overnight on Fitzroy Island if you get the chance, 2-3 nights if you have longer.
The Fitzroy Island Resort is fantastic and offers a range of different accommodation for all budgets, from camping and bungalows to resort rooms and beachside apartments.
It books out far in advance especially during peak periods. We booked 4 months before and were only able to find one spot in September with more than one night, all the other dates were either booked out or a one night gap in the middle of bookings.
We stayed in the Butterfly Bungalows which was the only accommodation option left when we booked.
These are located a short walk from the resort across from the beach where we found the best snorkelling spots. You literally walk out of your cabin and out onto the sandy beach within 30 metres.
The Butterfly Bungalows are nothing fancy but they are a great budget option. They are basic cabins but have everything you need for a family.
Our cabin had a queen bed in the main area with couch and kitchenette, another small bedroom with bunks for the kids, and a separate bathroom. We had small fridge, table and chairs outside with a bench, small bbq and ice box.
Note: As of 2026 they no longer provide a bbq.)
Other resort accommodation options include resort suits and beach side cabins which looked great and we may check those out next time. These weren’t available when we were booking so if you want to stay in the resort make sure to book well ahead, or off peak.
The resort also has a newly renovated pool area which is fantastic, this is reserved for island guests only and is a great way to spend your time in between snorkelling and other island activities.
Tips for Visiting Fitzroy Island
- A Fitzroy Island day trip is fantastic and gives you a great overview of the island but if you have a few days stay overnight to really enjoy it.
- Snorkelling is the best next to the jetty towards the resort accommodation.
- Make sure to bring or hire a stinger suit between November and May as there are dangerous stingers in the water during those months.
- Visit Foxy’s Bar for a drink just before sunset for the most amazing views
- Make sure to head to Nudey Beach at least once, it is stunning!
- Look out for the rope swings under the trees along the sand on the beach.
- Book well in advance if you plan on staying over, during peak months the resort books out well in advance.
Fitzroy Island Guide
Hopefully our Fitzroy Island Review has helped you prepare or plan for an upcoming trip. We really loved our experience on Fitzroy Island and absolutely recommend it for families and any travellers who love nature and marine life.
The information in this article is based on a stay in 2023. Some updates have been made after an additional stay however please check the website for the most up to date info.
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