In short
- Drive 45 minutes from Cairns to Deeral.
- Take a 30-minute cruise down the Mulgrave River.
- Cross 10 kilometres of open water to the islands.
In this article
The Frankland Islands are located 45 kilometres south-east of Cairns and just 10 kilometres offshore. The journey involves a mix of driving and a short boat ride. This route offers the shortest open-water reef crossing in the area.
How do you get to the Frankland Islands?
You get there by taking a commercial tour or a private boat from Deeral.
Most visitors book a trip with Frankland Islands Reef Cruises. This is the only commercial operator allowed to visit Normanby Island. The trip includes a coach transfer from Cairns to Deeral. From there, you board a boat for the final journey to the islands.
How long does it take to get there?
The total trip from Cairns takes approximately 1.5 hours.
The journey is split into two equal parts. First, you drive 45 minutes south from Cairns to the departure point in Deeral. Then, you take a 45-minute boat ride to the islands.
What is the boat ride like?
The boat ride includes a calm river cruise and a short ocean crossing.
The boat departs from Deeral and travels down the Mulgrave River. This calm-water scenic cruise takes about 30 minutes. After reaching the river mouth, the boat crosses just 10 kilometres of open water to reach the islands.
Can you visit the Frankland Islands without a tour?
Yes, you can visit the islands using a private vessel.
You can launch a private boat from the Mulgrave or Russell river boat ramps. The private boat ride takes 30 to 45 minutes. You must check the tide times carefully before departing. Sandbars at Mutchero Inlet make crossing the shallow river mouth highly tide-dependent.
Is the trip good for people who get seasick?
Yes, this route has the shortest ocean crossing of any Cairns reef trip.
The open-water boat crossing is only 10 kilometres. The first 30 minutes of the boat ride take place on a flat, calm river. This reduces your time spent on rougher waters, making it easier for visitors prone to motion sickness.
Questions travellers ask
Where are the Frankland Islands located?
The islands are located 45 kilometres south-east of Cairns. They sit about 10 kilometres offshore in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
How long is the boat ride to the Frankland Islands?
The boat ride takes about 45 minutes in total. This includes a 30-minute river cruise and a 15-minute ocean crossing.
Are the Frankland Islands inhabited?
No, the Frankland Islands form an uninhabited archipelago of five continental islands. There are no resorts or permanent residents.
