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Featured Wildlife Journeys

  • Clownfish in Blue Anenome

  • Turtle Islander Vessel

  • Mulgrave River

  • Green Turtle

  • Normanby Island

Frankland Islands Reef Cruises

Frankland Islands Reef Cruises

As part of the Entrada Travel Group portfolio since early 2020, Frankland Islands Reef Cruises is a certified Ecotourism business, that places conservation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park at the heart of its operations. The organisation is actively involved in scientific research data collection on marine species, reef damage, debris and tracking the overall health of the ecosystem, via the Eye on the Reef App and Rapid Monitoring Surveys.

Frankland Islands Reef Cruises holds an exclusive commercial access permit to visit the stunning Frankland Islands National Park. With visitor numbers capped at 100 per day, ensuring this pristine and ecologically significant national park is protected for future generations is delivered through a 'leave no trace' policy on the islands, optimising the use of resources across operations and providing quality educational experiences and guidance on sustainability practices for guests.

In addition, Entrada Travel Group operates several dive operations including Divers Den, TUSA Dive, as well as the liveaboard, Spirit of Freedom. With ownership shared amongst the Cummins, Ritchies and Snelgrove families, the Entrada group takes great pleasure in sharing the unspoilt piece of paradise that is the Frankland Islands group with visitors from across the globe.

 

As part of our commitment to sustainability we have developed a Code Of Practice relating to our wildlife interactions which is available for your reference. We have also sought independent verification of our practices through Ecotourism Australia.

Eco certified logo

Our Ecotourism Accreditation is awarded to Australia's ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.

 

 


Speciality areas

  • Fish & Marine Invertebrates
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Quick facts

  • Part of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
  • Normanby Island provides some of the best snorkelling of all the islands along the Reef.
  • See healthy fringing reefs full of hard and soft corals, giant clams, schools of fish, turtles, octopus and more.

About the region

Frankland Islands National Park

The Frankland Islands, located off the coast of Far North Queensland, form a picturesque archipelago situated approximately 10 kilometers offshore and about 45 kilometers southeast of Cairns. These islands, namely Normanby, High, Russell, Round, and Mabel, are an integral part of the renowned Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its extraordinary marine biodiversity and ecological significance.

These uninhabited islands are enveloped by pristine fringing reefs, showcasing a dazzling array of hard and soft corals, giant clams, schools of vibrant fish, turtles, octopuses, and occasional sightings of dolphins, whales, manta rays, and dugongs.

A visit to the Frankland Islands promises a breathtaking experience, where you can revel in the beauty of sandy beaches embraced by coastal grasses, pandanus, and coconut trees. As you explore, you'll encounter diverse ecosystems, including mangroves, rocky outcrops, and lush rainforests teeming with a wealth of birdlife. It is a vital nesting ground for various bird species, such as the little tern, beach stone-curlew, pied imperial pigeon, and crested tern.

Normanby Island, renowned for its exceptional snorkeling, owes its unique appeal to its geological history. Once part of the mainland, it now stands as a continental island, separated from the coast by rising sea levels hundreds of thousands of years ago. This island boasts a mix of rainforest vegetation and coastal species, while the cool water channels surrounding it maintain refreshing sea temperatures during the hot summer months.

The Frankland Islands Group National Park holds great cultural significance as it lies within the traditional sea country of the Mandingalby Yidinji and Gungandji peoples. Throughout history, these waters have been extremely important for fishing, hunting, and gathering food. The islands were christened by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770, in a tribute for two eighteenth century sailors, Lord of the Admiralty and his nephew, both named Sir Thomas Frankland.

Apart from their cultural importance, the islands serve as a sanctuary for endangered and rare fauna, including the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, spectacled flying-fox, and beach stone-curlews. During May and June, manta rays grace the shallow fringing reefs, offering a spectacular sight both above and below the water's surface. Additionally, two rare jewel-blue anemones host playful clownfish, a delightful sight for visitors on the north and west shores of Normanby Island.

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Meet our guides

  • Meet our guides

    Luiza Motta

    It’s rare to find Luiza Motta sitting still. She’s often off snorkelling, studying marine life, or educating visitors about sea creatures and oceanic vegetation while taking them on the Frankland Islands Guided Walk. “There’s so much to discover,” she says. “When we snorkel, we see the biodiversity of the underwater world, but guests have more opportunity to listen and learn about marine life, and about the ecology of the islands when we are on land. Originally hailing from Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Luiza fell in love with...

    Meet our guides

    Luiza Motta

    It’s rare to find Luiza Motta sitting still. She’s often off snorkelling, studying marine life, or educating visitors about sea creatures and oceanic vegetation while taking them on the Frankland Islands Guided Walk. “There’s so much to discover,” she says. “When we snorkel, we see the biodiversity of the underwater world, but guests have more opportunity to listen and learn about marine life, and about the ecology of the islands when we are on land. Originally hailing from Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Luiza fell in love with Tropical North Queensland when she was working and travelling across Australia. When an opportunity arose to work as a Marine Biologist and Dive Master with Franklin Islands Reef Tours, she knew she had struck gold. “I wanted to be a marine biologist from a very young age,” she says. “I am still 100 percent sure this is my calling.” Although Luiza has seen and studied a diverse range of marine ecosystems in both Brazil and Australia, she explains that she was drawn to Franklin Islands for a few big reasons. “The islands are beautiful and unique, and the reefs are like nothing I’ve experienced before. I’ve always loved the reef, but here the coral diversity and marine life is magnificent. What’s even more amazing is how close this all is to the shore. We can enjoy this natural paradise and still see the mainland in the distance.”
  • Meet our guides

    Brett Robinson

    When Brett Robinson stumbled across the Franklin Islands back in 2013, that was it. “I had taken a year off to travel after my stint working in oil and gas. Then, while working on one of the reef boats in Cairns, I came across the Franklin Islands,” he says. The way Brett talks about the islands, it’s easy to understand why he stuck around. “I love the diversity of experiences in, on and around the islands, snorkelling or diving the western reef is just phenomenal, and Normandy Island has...

    Meet our guides

    Brett Robinson

    When Brett Robinson stumbled across the Franklin Islands back in 2013, that was it. “I had taken a year off to travel after my stint working in oil and gas. Then, while working on one of the reef boats in Cairns, I came across the Franklin Islands,” he says. The way Brett talks about the islands, it’s easy to understand why he stuck around. “I love the diversity of experiences in, on and around the islands, snorkelling or diving the western reef is just phenomenal, and Normandy Island has the best beach access and lots of wildlife-spotting opportunities.” Brett has been skippering the Franklin Islands Reef Cruises boats for close to a decade now, and loves what he does. “I get to start my day on my own little jetty, taking guests on a meander down the Mulgrave River. We keep our eyes out for crocodiles, cassowaries, pythons, wallabies, and flying foxes, along with birds like egrets, jabirus, osprey eagles, and Burdekin ducks. We spend the bulk of the day at the spectacular Franklin Islands, and then I’m home for dinner with the family,” he says. “It’s everything for me. I’m in nature doing what I love!” Unsurprisingly, Brett’s kids are getting to know the ropes when it comes to skippering… but Brett also learnt young. “I was chucked in an icebox on fishing trips from two years of age, at school I drew boats, and I’ve always been obsessed with driving them. From skippering family and friends to now taking visitors to one of Australia’s best-kept secrets, I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling way to spend my days.”