The ancient coral cay of Green Island is a very unique indeed. Out of the 300 sand cays on the Great Barrier Reef it is the only one with a rainforest. Formed around 6,000 years ago by a build-up of sand sediments, animal and coral deposits it’s become home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. It sits 27kms from Cairns on the north-western edge of the reef flat in what’s called an ‘inshore patch reef’.
Sand cays are islands that form on top of existing reef structures – they are basically large piles of sand, coral rubble, broken shells and other reef debris. Wave action pushes the rubble debris into a pile on the leeward, or calm side, of a reef flat. If conditions are just right, this pile of rubble grows into a small sand island.
Seabird droppings help cement the sand together so that it will not wash away with tides. They also provide nutrients for germinating seeds that wash onto the island. Over time, if conditions remain ‘just right’, the island can develop a complex ecology.
The reefs surrounding Green Island Resort support a diverse range of habitats for a wide range of tropical marine life.
You can experience the unique underwater world surrounding Green Island Resort by snorkelling, diving or by glass bottom boat. Seagrass beds support a wide range of animals, from juvenile fish that use the grass for protection to large sea turtle and dugong that feed on the seagrass. The reef around Green Island has over 190 different types of hard corals and over 100 types of soft corals.
Green Island attracts a wide range of land, sea and migratory birds that pass through the Great Barrier Reef on the way to nesting grounds. The island is one of the most significant bird colonies on the reef, and is called home by 35 different species of seabirds and 28 speacies of forest birds. Of the 134 different species of plants on the island, most were deposited there by birds after feeding in mainland forests.
