Frankland Islands - everything you need to know (Cairns, QLD)

Frankland Islands - everything you need to know (Cairns, QLD)

Everything you need to know about the beautiful Frankland Islands near Cairns, Queensland. Contains information about how you can get here on a day trip, with photos and a breakdown of what awaits you.

The incredible Frankland Islands are one of the least visited islands in front of Cairns. This hidden jewel is really one of the best Great Barrier Reef Island experiences you can have! For those who want to experience a healthy reef ecosystem that competes with the outer reiff, you should definitely take a look at the incredible Frankland Islands.

In this short travel guide, I will sketch everything you need to know about visiting Frankland Islands in QLD. I add how you come here with a transfer or day trip, information about the islands and epic photos and videos, from which I hope you will inspire your visit! I will also explain why I think snorkeling on the Frankland Islands is better than a large part of the outer reef!

presented in: Epic 5-day route through Cairns

Video for the Frankland Islands

Here is a short video that I have put together from my trip to the Frankland Islands. Enjoy! And if you are looking for other short travel videos, subscribe to them while they are there.

Where are the Frankland Islands?

The Frankland Islands are a number of five islands right before the mouth of the Mulgrave River, south of Cairns and the closer Fitzroy Island. All five islands can be reached by boat, for those who are lucky enough to have their own. However, there is only one organized day trip from Cairns to Normanby Island (the best Frankland Island).

Read below how to come here.
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How do you get the Frankland Islands?

As I mentioned, there is only one company that is licensed to carry out tours and day trips to the Frankland Islands. These people have been working here for over 50 years and do incredible work by offering sustainable and pleasant day trips (tours) to the Frankland Islands from Cairns.

The excursions include bus transfers to the Mulgrave River, from where they take the ferry to the Frankland Islands.

This is the same all-inclusive day trip to Frankland Island, which I will treat in this blog post. Don't worry, you don't have to be a backpacker to benefit from this cheaper offer.

to break down why booking via this website is the best way to get to the Frankland Islands; The total price for an all-inclusive day trip from Cairns to the Frankland Islands is only $ 199. This is compared to $ 219 if you book directly from a tour operator in the city. If you use my Code Olly5, you will also receive a 5 $ discount!
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highlighted in: The 11 best tours and experiences in Cairns

Daily trip from Cairns to Frankland Island-what to expect

The rest of this blog post will break down exactly what you can expect based on my experience on the tour to the Frankland Islands from Cairns.

In this Frankland Island tour:

• bus transfers and from your accommodation in Cairns
• 30-minute drive on the Mulgrave River (you can see crocodiles)
• 4 hours on Normanby Island (the best)
• Use of snorkeling equipment, stinger suits, water equipment such as kayaks, SUPS etc.
• a guided snorkeling tour
• led island hike
• Delicious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

Pretty good business, right? While island transfers are generally cheaper to Green Island and Fitzroy Island, let me explain why Frankland Island is the best Great Barrier Reef island in front of Cairns! Alt = "Day trip to the Frankland Islands from Cairns">
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drive down the Mulgrave River

After a short bus transfer to the Mulgrave River, we got on the boat of Frankland Islands.

The first stage of the trick includes a picturesque river cruise on the Mulgrave River, where it is possible to observe crocodiles on the shores. The excellent team on board also provides you with your snorkeling equipment, hot drinks, morning tea and an introductory and safety briefing.

What I loved the most about this first river cruise was that it was very informative. The expert Reef guides on board explained the importance of mangrove ecosystems such as those in Mulgrave River and what role they play when creating healthy reefs.
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Arrival on Normanby Island (Frankland Islands)

After only 30 minutes we already landed on the beautiful Frankland Islands. This tour only holds on Normanby Island, the only "green" sea park zone. This means that it is protected from fishing activities and creates a nursery for fish, turtles and sea creatures!

We grabbed our equipment, got out of the boat and made our way to the protected picnic area.
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snorkeling

In the Frankland Icelands tour from Cairns, a snorkeling safari tour is included. Usually I prefer to explore alone, but for the first time I am very happy that I finally participated.

This is because our professional Reef Guide Michele was the most expert and passionate guide that I have ever met! She taught me so much about the reef, pointed out many different corals and managed to discover 7 turtles in a single snorkeling session!

She also led me to the best places and showed me the very rare blue anemone in which clownfish families live.
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Why the coral on the Frankland Islands is so healthy

To be honest, I was overwhelmed by how healthy and rich the reef system on the Frankland Islands is. Since I was so close to the mainland, I really didn't expect what I saw! Of the 600 different types of coral that grow at the Great Barrier Reef, over 200 occur directly on the Frankland Islands!

Michele told me that the Frankland Islands because of the unique non-gravitational current that exists here have healthy corals. She explained that this unique current rinses many essential nutrients over the reef every day so that it can grow and stay healthy.

In addition, the "green" labeling by QLD Marine Parks means that fishing is prohibited. Turtles also flock here because there is such a large sea grass bed near the beach that you can eat. They also use the healthy corals of the "turtle cleaning station" to treat infections and injuries with the natural properties of certain corals. Alt = "anenome and clownfish">
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lunch

After one of the best snorkeling experiences that I had so far at the Great Barrier Reef, it was time for lunch.

This was a kind of "self-service", "all-you-can-eat" buffet setup that was really very tasty. The team offered a large selection of fresh fruit, salads, meat and cooked dishes.
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Similar: As it is to spend the night in the Fitzroy Island Resort

Guided walking walk

After lunch, some visitors decided to use the free kayak and stand-up paddleboard use. Instead, I took part in the guided beach walk, which was led by our two Great Barrier Reef-Guides.

We learned a lot about the island, from the unique star sand that can be found here, to the diverse bird world to the interesting geological history of the Frankland Islands.
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Alt = "Star Sand on Frankland Islands"> Star Sand found on the Frankland Islands

Return to Cairns

At the end of this fantastic day trip to the Frankland Islands of Cairns, we jumped back on the boat and prepared to drive down the Mulgrave River. I was looking forward to seeing a few large salt water crocodiles on the bank when we came back at low tide.

Unfortunately I missed this opportunity, but Michele told me that you can actually see it quite often!
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See also: (review) Daintree Crocodile Tour in Cairns/Cape Tribulation

Review: Should you visit the Frankland Islands?

If you have made it to the blog to this point, you may still be wondering if this is the right one.

I spent a lot of time to explore, document and photograph all the great places in the area around Cairns. I have visited many islands, several outer reef islands such as Vlasoff Cay and Michaelmas Cay as well as diving trips to Norman and Hastings Reefs.

Honestly, the underwater world and snorkeling on Frankland Island have surpassed all of these epic locations! While Fitzroy Island and Green Island are a little cheaper, the Frankland Islands are undoubtedly a better GbR experience!

If you have little time and the Great Barrier Reef is on your Cairns Bucket list, I strongly recommend that you book this trip.

Remember that you get a discount of $ 5 on all tours at backpackerdeals.com with my code: Olly5. I recommend this because it is the cheapest way to go to the Frankland Islands from Cairns on board a day trip!
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More Cairns Islands and epic day trips

I hope that this short guide to visit the Frankland Islands from Cairns helped you plan your visit. For those looking for more travel and adventure inspiration, you should definitely look at some of my other travel guides. I wrote in detail about many of the best things you can do in Cairns, including where you can find the best waterfalls, the best hiking trails and the best activities that can be booked.

Otherwise, immerse yourself in some of these other articles below.

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