Florence Bay, Magnetic Island: Snorkelling & boat tours
To reach Florence Bay on Magnetic Island, Queensland, either join a boat tour or walk 3km from Horseshoe Bay. Either way, look out for turtles when snorkelling on the fringing reef.
What is Florence Bay, Magnetic Island?
Florence Bay is a beach and bay on Magnetic Island near Townsville, Queensland. This tricky-to-access beach is a popular swimming, snorkelling and diving spot, and is best reached by boat. Aquascene’s Magnetic Island snorkelling and paddleboarding boat tour regularly stops at Florence Bay.
Where is Florence Bay, Magnetic Island?
Florence Bay is in the north-eastern corner of Magnetic Island, between Arthur Bay and Radical Bay. There used to be a 4WD track that went to Florence Bay, but this track is now solely reserved for bushwalkers.
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.
How to get to Florence Bay
The Yida Walk around the north-east corner of Magnetic Island is the best way of reaching Florence Bay. You can either depart from Horseshoe Bay – in which case, the initial section of the walk is very steep. Or you can set off from the Forts Junction car park to the south.
Either way, the walk to Florence Bay is about 3km long.
Swimming and snorkelling at Florence Bay
Once you finally get there, Florence Bay is a fairly tranquil beach protected from large swells by a fringing reef. This means surfers won’t get much joy at Florence Bay, but swimmers should have a great time and snorkellers should be in their element.
Turtles are often spotted by snorkellers at the fringing reef off Florence Bay. And given that the Aquascene boat tours provide snorkelling equipment, hopping aboard is a much easier option than tackling the Florence Bay walk.
Other things to do on Magnetic Island after the ferry crossing from Townsville include sunset cruises, night vision wildlife tours and a comprehensive island tour that meets the ferry.
Book your ferry tickets here.
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.
More Queensland travel
Is there anything worth seeing on the Townsville to Innisfail drive?
How long is the drive from Caloundra to Mooloolaba?
What to see on a Gold Coast to Bundaberg road trip.
Distances and driving times to Charleville.