DISCOVER Magnetic Island in your own time
There is so much more to explore!
Discover the Island in your own time, with everything from art and entertainment, to sports and recreation. The Island lifestyle is relaxed and friendly. You can choose to do as little or as much as you like. Relax, you’re on “Island time”.
ALL EVENTS
ALL BAYS
Magnetic Island offers annual sporting, cultural, fundraising and fun events throughout the year including ANZAC Day, The Great Island Trek, Mother's Day Classic, Magnetic Island Race Week, The Great Inflatable Race, NQ Ocean Paddle Series, Oktoberfest, Melbourne Cup celebrations, and of course New Year's Eve! You'll also find out about live music, workshops and more at What's On Maggie!
SAILING
ALL BAYS
Whether you choose to take a private tour, casually self-sail in your own time, or join the Magnetic Island Race Week, Magnetic Island offers free moorings in most bays, or paid moorings in the Magnetic Island Marina.
SHIPWRECKS
VARIOUS BAYS
There are over 20 known shipwrecks around the Island, which have been integrated into a shipwreck trail which circles the island at the Maritime Museum (TSV). The trail guides visitors on a historical tour of the Island's rich maritime landscape utilizing land based display boards in each of the bays.
SNORKEL TRAILS & DIVING
ALL BAYS
Before you visit the easily accessible Self-Guided Snorkel Trails at Geoffrey Bay and Nelly Bay, we advise that you pick a $5 recyclable Swim Card which will show you which fish and coral you're likely to see at each location, including the giant clams. Your $5 donation supports the maintenance of these trails. You can purchase a card at the Sealink terminal, Magnetic Island Ferries, the Arcadia Newsagent and at Base Backpackers (Nomads) in Nelly Bay.
Some of the other best places to dive and snorkel on the Island are found in Florence Bay, Arthur Bay, Alma Bay, under the jetty in Picnic Bay, and at Bright Point. Five Beach Bay is also good, but it only has boat/tour access.
Apart from viewing the coral of the fringing reefs around the Island, there are many shipwrecks to explore as well. See more info below or visit our Maps page.
NB: To preserve these trails, please don't touch or stand on the coral when you are snorkelling.
HIKING & BUSH WALKING
ALL BAYS
From easy bush and beach hikes to breathtaking panoramas, there is a walk for everyone. We've listed the main hiking trails on our hiking and walking trails page for easy reference. Take good hiking footwear, extra 1-2 litres of water*, sun smart clothing, sunscreen, sunnies, a hat and seek out shade between 10am and 3pm.
* Save buying that extra plastic bottle and refill your water for FREE at a number of places around Magnetic Island.
WILDLIFE
ALL BAYS
Magnetic Island is definitely a unique tropical island destination surrounded by abundant wildlife and exotic flora. In addition to koalas*, echidnas, rock wallabies^ and other reptiles, the Island is home to over 186 types of birds including kookaburras, sulphur crested cockatoos, brahminy kites and the island's iconic bush-stone curlew.
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* Koalas are most easily found along the Forts Walk. Keep an eye out for stone and twig arrows on the ground, and please don't get too close - it stresses them.
^ Rock wallabies are most easily found at the end of the Old Jetty Road, opposite the Arcadia Village Hotel. We prefer if you don't, but if you have the 'need to feed' please read feeding rock wallabies, so that they don't become ill with the wrong food.
FISHING
MOST BAYS*
Whether you throw a line in off the rocks, fish the rich waters off Magnetic Island, or take a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, the local fishing is rewarding, providing fighting fish for sport and also excellent eating fish.
PLEASE NOTE! Fishing is NOT allowed in Geoffrey, Alma, Florence, Gowrie, Radical and Balding Bays or the Five Beach Bay area. These are Marine National Park Green Zones and large fines apply. Check/download the Eye On The Reef app to know your zones.
WORLD HERITAGE
ALL BAYS
Magnetic Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The surrounding reefs and waters fall within the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The seascape, flora, fauna and marine life in the surrounding waters, are protected for the enjoyment of visitors and the conservation of nature.
TIDE TIMES
Whether you're wanting low tides for snorkeling or finding shipwrecks, or the best tide times to throw a line off the jetty, your boat or the foreshore, view the 2022 tide times.