Green Island is a picturesque tropical paradise that is located in the heart of the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrer Reef. The island itself is tiny, with the area being a mere 15 hectares, and although the island is small, it does not lack beauty. The lush green rainforest, white sand and crystal-clear blue waters are only a short 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns.
Fascinating history of Green Island
Green Island was inhabited by Indigenous Australians for tens of thousands of years before European settlement. The island was used as a popular fishing ground and a sacred initiation for boys who were approaching manhood. In 1770, Captain Cook sighted the island and named it after the chief of his ship, Charles Green. In 1936, Green Island was officially declared a National Park, with the first resort accommodation opening in 1940. Green Island was home to the first ever underwater observatory, and this attracted large crowds from all around the world who wanted to view the unique marine-life that swan in the area.
6,000-year-old coral cay
Green Island is an incredibly unique island and is unlike any of the other 300 sand cays that make up the Great Barrier Reef. The island was formed from a build-up of sand, animal, and coral deposits and is home to a diverse eco-system that entails a rainforest. Green Island is the only coral cay that possesses a rainforest; therefore, it makes it just that little bit more special than the rest!
Eco-sustainable paradise
Green Island is known for its unbelievable efforts to ensure eco-sustainability. It is considered to be apart of the Great Barrier Reef, therefore it is a UNESCO world heritage site, and the island is heavily regulated to ensure it is protected. Some of the ways that Green Island is so environmentally friendly is that it is partly powered by solar panels, water is supplied by the use of a huge desalination plant, to ensure that rain water can be used to replenish the forest, and the use of an intricate waste management system.
So many entertaining things to do
There is so much to do on Green Island! The most popular activity for those visiting, is of course to snorkel the spectacular waters of the Great Barrier Reef that surround it. Grab a paddle board or a kayak from the beach hut, if you prefer to just observe what is swimming around under you. Finally, jump aboard the glass bottom boat that allows you to see the reef while still staying dry.
Visit Sightseeing Tours Australia for the full range of Green Island Tours!
