Arthur Bay, Magnetic Island: How to get there & snorkelling

Arthur Bay, Magnetic Island, is only accessible along a walking track from the Forts Junction car park. But get there, and there’s great snorkelling on the fringing reefs.

What is Arthur Bay, Magnetic Island?

Arthur Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on Magnetic Island, Queensland. It is a secluded, not particularly well-known beach, and it is fairly hard to get to. It’s this difficulty of access that keeps it quiet, as Arthur Bay is an excellent snorkelling spot.

7 Magnetic Island experiences to book in advance

Sort out your return ferry ticket from Townsville.
Get the best of the coastline on a five hour boat tour with snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.
See the sky change – on a sunset and shipwrecks cruise.
See all the island highlights – on an afternoon island tour combining heritage, culture and nature.
Cram it all in on a five hour comprehensive island tour.
Take to the water on a lunchtime sailing cruise.
See subaquatic creativity – on a Museum of Underwater Art and Great Barrier Reef day trip.

Where is Arthur Bay?

Arthur Bay is on the east coast of Magnetic Island, near Horseshoe Bay in the island’s north-east. Once upon a time, drivers could access Arthur Bay via the Resolute Bay Road. This is now closed off to vehicles, however, and is now preserved as a walking track. The Yida walking route from Forts Junction to Horseshoe Bay passes along it.

The Arthur Bay walk

If you’ve got a car, the quickest way to get to Arthur Bay is to park at the Forts Junction car park, and walk from there. From the Forts Junction car park to Arthur Bay Beach it’s about 800 metres. You can expect the walk to take about 10 minutes. You’ll reach Florence Bay and Radical Bay if you keep going.

Snorkelling at Arthur Bay

Once there, Arthur Bay is a small beach, measuring about 150 metres long. What it lacks in size it makes up for in looks, however.

There are granite headlands at either side, but the main attraction is the fringing reef just offshore.

The reef makes Arthur Bay a fabulous snorkelling spot if you make the effort to get there.

If you just want to swim, Arthur Bay is a relatively safe swimming beach with low waves. That reef keeps sizable swells at bay most of the time.

Other things to do on Magnetic Island after the ferry crossing from Townsville include sunset yacht cruises, night vision wildlife tours and a five hour discovery tour with snorkelling stops.

Book your ferry tickets here.

Arthur Bay on Magnetic Island, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Other great Magnetic Island beaches include wallaby hangout Geoffrey Bay and swimmer-friendly Alma Bay in Arcadia. You shouldn’t worry too much about crocodiles on Magnetic Island beaches – this is Croc Country, but they don’t like to hang out on beaches and the rare ones spotted are quickly targeted for removal.