Green Island is one of 300 coral cays on the Great Barrier Reef; it is the only coral cay to have a dense, shady vine-thicket rainforest. Green Island is home to over 120 species of plants, over 55 species of birds and a unique mixture of coastal and rainforest plants all within its 1.6km circumference.
The coastline of Green Island is lined with short, scrubby coastal vegetation that can survive the drier conditions along the beach. Coconut trees on the island are likely to have been introduced to the island in 1889 to provide food, drink and shelter for stranded sailors and fishermen.
