Frankland Islands Reef Tours’ New Transfer Vessel Brings Guests Closer to the Heart of the Reef and Rainforest

A new era of sustainable reef tourism begins this April, as Frankland Islands Reef Cruises launches a high-performance 14-metre Naiad vessel to replace the Turtle Islander transfer boat to Normanby Island. This advancement transforms how visitors experience one of Australia’s most pristine island destinations, embodying our commitment to share and protect a pristine piece of the Great Barrier Reef through intimate, educational experiences.

Built in 1998, the outgoing Turtle Islander has faithfully served thousands of visitors over the decades. Now, with our vision to set a new standard in sustainable reef tourism, Frankland Islands Reef Cruises is enhancing our guided small group adventures with a cutting-edge vessel built by renowned RHIB manufacturer Naiad, designed to create a more authentic, educational, and environmentally conscious experience.

The new vessel delivers exceptional performance with 60% less fuel consumption and offers premium seating, improved stability and panoramic viewing areas that create a more welcoming and inclusive way to explore our tropical environment. This significant reduction in fuel consumption reflects our commitment to minimising environmental impacts while operating in this UNESCO World Heritage area. With its agile design, the vessel allows for a more intimate river cruise experience, enabling our guides to bring guests closer to the edges of the mangroves where they can spot birds, crocodiles, and other native wildlife in their natural habitat, connecting the reef and rainforest in one perfect day.

In addition to enhancing the river segment of the tour, the new boat’s advanced design reduces the travel time to Normanby Island to 30-45 minutes and remains one of the shortest open water crossings in the Cairns region to the reef, giving guests more time to explore, snorkel, and relax in paradise.

The new vessel will officially enter service in late April, just in time for the start of the Tropical North Queensland dry season.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome this new vessel to our fleet,” said Frankland Islands Reef Cruises Business Lead, Brett Robinson. “Its design reflects everything our brand stands for – a relaxed yet professional experience that’s authentically Australian and environmentally conscious. This vessel helps us deliver on our promise to transform visitors into guardians of the Great Barrier Reef through up-close, educational experiences.”

For more information, please visit the Frankland Islands Reef Cruises website.