Frankland Islands Reef Cruises Launches New Express Day Tour Product

Frankland Islands Reef Cruises is celebrating the launch of its new Express Day Tour, set to operate from Monday, 28 July 2025. This latest offering delivers a taste of the Great Barrier Reef experience in a convenient, time-efficient format, designed specifically for families, cruise ship passengers, and travellers with limited time who still want to enjoy an unforgettable day on the reef.

Departing later in the morning, the tour includes coach transfers from Cairns CBD, a scenic river cruise along the Mulgrave River, and a quick 15-minute open water crossing to the Frankland Islands. Guests will enjoy around two and a half hours on Normanby Island, where they can swim, snorkel straight from the beach, or explore the island’s tropical rock pools and sandy shores. Every Express Tour offers one guided activity—either a guided beach snorkelling session with a marine biologist or a ride aboard the semi-submarine for a window into the underwater world.

“We’ve created this tour for visitors who might not have a full day to spare but still want to experience the awesomeness of the reef,” said Brett Robinson, Business Lead for Frankland Islands Reef Cruises. “It’s a condensed version of our all-inclusive tour, offering the same exceptional destination in a more time-efficient package.”

The new product launch follows the successful introduction of Wantaim, Frankland Islands Reef Cruises’ modern new transfer vessel, which recently joined the fleet. Purpose-built for comfort and performance, the new transfer vessel has significantly improved travel times and enhanced guest experience, offering smooth, fast, and scenic crossings between Deeral and the Frankland Islands. Its arrival has also boosted operational capacity, paving the way for innovative new products like the Express Tour.

The Express Day Tour is available every day, with return times that make it ideal for cruise ship passengers and travellers looking to fit more into their time in Cairns. Optional extras such as picnic lunches and merchandise are also available, and the tour remains true to the business’s commitment to small group experiences and high-quality encounters with the Great Barrier Reef.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the Frankland Islands in the Family Group of Islands are one of the Tropical North’s hidden gems on the stunning southern coast of the Cairns region.

“This must-do experience for locals and visitors alike combines the chance of spotting a croc in the mangroves where the Mulgrave River meets the Russell River with stunning coastal scenery before you arrive at a beautiful tropical island to snorkel,” he said.

“The Frankland Islands are close to the coast and easily accessible from Cairns, making this half-day tour perfect for self-driving visitors wanting to see Josephine Falls and the Babinda Boulders, as well as cruise ship passengers on a tight schedule.”

Pricing for the Express Tour starts at $175 for adults and $90 for children (4–16 years). Infants travel free, and family passes are available at $440 for two adults and two children.