Is Magnetic Island on the Great Barrier Reef?

It is possible to do a Great Barrier Reef day trip from Magnetic Island in Queensland, but is Magnetic Island on the Great Barrier Reef itself? Nope – and don’t be conned into thinking that while booking.

The Great Barrier Reef runs up alongside the vast bulk of the Queensland coast, and dozens of small islands are part of it. But not every island in Queensland is on the Great Barrier Reef. For some islands – notably Fraser Island and wreck snorkelling hotspot Moreton Island – this is because they’re south of the Reef. Further north, though, you have to plot your Great Barrier Reef island stay very carefully. Just because it’s an island in the Queensland tropics, that doesn’t mean it offers reef snorkelling.

Magnetic Island, Queensland - not on the Great Barrier Reef — Great Barrier Reef day trips are available from Magnetic Island, but this Queensland holiday destination is not on the Reef itself. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Magnetic Island: On the Great Barrier Reef?

The classic example of this is Magnetic Island, originally encountered by Captain Cook in 1770. A short ferry ride from Townsville in north Queensland, Magnetic Island is a popular holiday destination for Australians. A quick look at the topography should indicate that it belongs to the mainland rather than the Reef, however. Magnetic Island is mountainous, covers 52 km² and is just 8km offshore. The inland walking trails such as the Forts Walk are good for spotting koalas.

There is some fringing reef around Magnetic Island, and it is within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but it is not part of the Great Barrier Reef. Arthur Bay and Florence Bay are especially good spots for snorkelling, however.

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.

Reef day trip from Magnetic Island

That’s not to say you can’t do a Great Barrier Reef day trip FROM Magnetic Island, however. Adrenalin Dive runs Great Barrier Reef boat trips from Townsville’s Breakwater Marina that do pick-ups from Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. These snorkelling and diving cruises head out to the Lodestone Reef, which has good coral quality, but is a fair old distance offshore. The Adrenalin Dive boat takes two hours to get to Lodestone Reef from Magnetic Island, and two-and-a-half hours to get there from Townsville. Ticket prices start at $259.

If you’d sooner do a Great Barrier Reef day trip elsewhere, then there is some snorkelling available. Aquascene runs half day boat cruises to a secluded bay on Magnetic Island, and provides snorkelling gear for those who wish to swim there. The ‘Discovery Tour’ costs $110 for adults.

You can hire a topless car on Magnetic Island if you want the freedom to get around.

Find your ideal Great Barrier Reef tours by location

Great Barrier Reef tours run from numerous destinations along the Queensland coast. Different tours cater to different tastes – some make sure they go to the best snorkelling spots, others build in beach time and some throw in extra such as underwater observatories and glass bottom boat tours.

Use the following links to start picking the best Great Barrier Reef tour options where you’re going on holiday.