• If you are up to it you can assist the crew by pulling ropes or even steering, our experienced crew love to share their knowledge.
• Explore the remote beaches of Magnetic Island on the Great Barrier Reef, come face to face with the local wildlife and relax on our luxury sailing yacht.
• Sail, swim relax and enjoy a delicious lunch with locally sourced produce.
• Perfect half day trip on the Great Barrier Reef for you and your family and friends, there is no better way to discover the waters surrounding Magnetic Island.
• Enjoy a 4 hour lunchcruise on a luxury 58 foot sailing yacht with a maximum of 10 guests onboard

Sail on a luxury sailing boat around Magnetic Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Jump on board our 58-foot yacht at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island for your lunchtime snorkel cruise. With 23 beaches and bays you can swim, snorkel or relax surrounded by the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

What to Expect

Magnetic Island Luxury Sailing Tour

Experience an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef adventure with our luxury lunchtime snorkelling cruise around Magnetic Island. Board our 58-foot custom-built yacht at Nelly Bay and enjoy a 4-hour sailing journey exploring some of Magnetic Island’s 23 secluded bays and golden beaches. This small group snorkelling tour ensures a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, typically hosting around 12 guests, allowing for personalised service and ample space to unwind. Snorkelling or relaxing on this sailboat is at your option.

Features and Highlights

Luxurious Sailing Experience

• Departure: Start your sailing tour journey at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island.
• Small Group Tour: Limited to approximately 12 guests for a more intimate experience.
• Luxury Yacht: Sail aboard a 58-foot yacht designed for comfort, with ample space to relax on deck or in cozy seating areas.

Activities and Relaxation

• Snorkelling equipment is not provided, so please bring your own.
• Sail for about an hour before anchoring in a secluded bay where you can swim, snorkel, or relax. Depending on the weather, you might snorkel at Arthur or Florence Bays, renowned for their fringing reefs and colourful fish.
• Enjoy the opportunity to hand-feed curious batfish and potentially meet Charlie, the friendly cod.
• During May to September, you may spot Humpback Whales as they migrate through the Great Barrier Reef waters. Additionally, watch for various seabirds like kites, ospreys, and sea eagles. The island’s National Park is home to native wildlife, including rock wallabies, koalas, and possums.

Exploring Magnetic Island

• Secluded Bays: Anchor at one of the island’s beautiful bays, such as Radical Bay, Arthur Bay, or Florence Bay.
• Radical Bay: Explore a bay accessible only by sea, offering pristine sands and solitude.
• Arthur Bay: Enjoy the serene beauty and historical significance of this bay, including walks to see local wildlife and Defence Force ruins.
• Florence Bay: Known for its excellent snorkelling opportunities and stunning coral formations.

Snorkelling and Marine Life

• Snorkelling: Swim in the clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef, exploring vibrant coral gardens and marine life. Snorkelling equipment is not provided, so please bring your own.
• Marine Encounters: Hand-feed friendly batfish and possibly meet Charlie, the friendly cod. Look out for turtles, giant clams, and a variety of colourful fish.

Wildlife and Scenic Views

• Wildlife: Spot native Australian wildlife, including rock wallabies, koalas, and a variety of bird species.
• Scenic Sailing: Relax on deck, soaking up the tropical sun and enjoying the stunning views of Magnetic Island’s National Park and coastal waters.

Magnetic Island Itinerary

Departure from Nelly Bay

• Check-In: Meet at the yacht at Nelly Bay.
• Welcome and Safety Briefing: Receive a warm welcome and safety instructions from the crew.
• Sailing: Set sail and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you head towards a secluded bay.

Bay Activities

• Swimming and Snorkelling: Enjoy an hour of swimming and snorkelling in the clear waters of a chosen bay.
• Relaxation: Lounge on the deck, sunbathe, or explore the bay’s beach.

Lunch and Return

• Lunch: Savour delicious platters of locally sourced produce, prepared fresh on board.
• Sailing Back: After lunch, start sailing back to Nelly Bay.
• Arrival: Return to Nelly Bay, concluding the tour.

Additional Information

Getting There

From Townsville, take the Sealink ferry to Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. Walk a short distance to the yacht for boarding.

Private Yacht Charter

For a more exclusive experience, consider our private charter yacht cruise for a romantic getaway or a special occasion.

Sunset Cruise

If you enjoyed your day with us, join our popular sunset sip and sail tours for a scenic evening cruise under the colourful sky as the sun sets behind the mountains.

Adventure and Exploration

Rich Cultural History

Learn about Magnetic Island's rich cultural history from your knowledgeable crew. The island, known as 'Yunbenun' by its traditional Wulgurukaba Aboriginal owners, has a storied past that spans thousands of years. Discover historical sites and hear tales of the island’s significance.

Eco-Friendly Sailing

Our yacht operates with a focus on environmental sustainability. Enjoy the serenity of sailing powered by the wind, minimizing our ecological footprint. Participate in eco-friendly practices onboard and learn about the importance of reef conservation.

Unforgettable Memories

Capture stunning photos of the vibrant marine life and breathtaking landscapes. Our crew will assist in taking photos, ensuring you have lasting memories of your adventure. Whether it’s snorkelling with marine creatures or lounging on the deck, every moment is a photo opportunity.

Experience the beauty and excitement of the Great Barrier Reef and Magnetic Island on this luxurious sailing and snorkelling tour. Book your spot today for an adventure that blends relaxation, exploration, and stunning natural beauty.

See all Magnetic Island sailing tours and Townsville tours.

Read our things to do and things to see on the Great Barrie Reef blog.

Magnetic Island Snorkel - Sailing Great Barrier Reef

A lunchtime Great Barrier Reef tour is a great way to explore the beauty of Magnetic Island and having a hands-on sailing adventure. 

Magnetic Island (or Maggie Island – as the locals call it) sits a short 8 km from Townsville in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

It is a lush island surrounded by the brilliant blue waters of the Coral Sea.

The traditional owners, the Wulgurukab Aboriginal people have inhabited this Great Barrier Reef island for thousands of years and call Magnetic Island ‘Yunbenun’. 

Over half of its mountainous 52 sq km is National Park. 

With 23 stunning and secluded bays to choose from you can sunbathe under tropical sunshine in stunning pristine locations.

Golden-sanded bays fringed with giant granite boulders, eucalyptus and hoop pines give a rugged beauty.

Getting There

If you are staying in Townsville catch the Sealink ferry from the Breakwater Terminal, to Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. Walk just a short distance to your awaiting luxury yacht. 

Here you will be welcomed on board by the staff and after a safety briefing your sailing and snorkelling trip will begin.

Sailing & Snorkelling Magnetic Island

Your lunchtime Great Barrier Reef tour will leave Nelly Bay for the coastal waters and beautiful bays of Magnetic Island.

When the wind and conditions are right you will be able to help hoist the sails so the only power driving the yacht will be wind power.

Relax as we cruise around the scenic coastal waters of Magnetic Island or choose to assist at the helm and steer the yacht.

The boat has large deck areas for relaxing, swinging in a hammock and just soak up the passing stunning scenery of Magnetic Islands National Park.

Lunch Cruise Anchorages on Magnetic Island

The yacht will moor up at one of the following bays with weather conditions on the day determining which bay will be visited:

Radical Bay

Radical Bay used to be home to a low key resort in the 1970’s.

Now, nature has taken over and the privately owned access road has fallen into disrepair with minimal access. 

This means that Radical Bay can only be accessed by sea.

Our yacht’s dinghy can take you onshore to explore.

You can be sure that your footprints will be the only ones.

Arthur Bay

There is a track that leads from Arthur Bay which ascends one of the background hills.

It’s possible to walk a part of this track and see samples of the local wildlife, including koalas.

As you continue, you will see the historic ruins of the Australian Defence Force station that helped protect this area of Australia from Japanese forces.

If you prefer a more leisurely time then just relax on the pristine sands and admire the natural, serene beauty of Arthur Bay.

Florence Bay

Florence Bay is one of the most popular bays for the locals and one of the most beautiful.

Fringed on the left by corals with a coral bommie (coral mountain), which makes ideal snorkelling, Florence Bay is a favourite for ‘yachties’ and makes this bay a great scenic stop on your tour.

Lunch

Our lunch consist of delicious platters of locally sourced produce so it changes according to the seasons.

We can accommodate most dietary requirements as long as we are given some notice - please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

 

Relax and Chill

If the hands on sailing is not your style you might prefer to kick back and just soak up the tropical sun. 

There is plenty of space on the deck where you can do just that.

While you relax look up and watch the circling Kites, Ospreys and Sea Eagles common to this area. 

This easy going Great Barrier Reef tour offers something to suit everyone.

Snorkelling Magnetic Island Tour

Snorkelling is not always possible, it depends on the weather conditions on the day.

Magnetic Island is off the Great Barrier Reef and has both hard and soft corals off its shores. 

The batfish you swim with are gregarious and friendly and get even friendlier when you are feeding them!  

You might be lucky to meet Charlie the Cod who likes nothing less than to swim around visitors and become acquainted! 

Please note snorkel euipment is not provided, please bring your on.

Private Charter Boat - Magnetic Island

If you would like the whole boat for you and your loved one then take a look at our private charter yacht cruise for two.

Sunset Sip & Sail Afternoon Cruise

If you enjoyed your day with us exploring the Great Barrier Reef then why not join us for our popular sunset sip and sail tours as we cruise under the colourful sky as the sun sets in the west behind the mountains.

Take a peek here at our Magnetic Island Sunset Sail and Sip yacht tours. See all Magnetic Island tours and attractions.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Magnetic Island

Departure Time

• Boarding 10.00am - Returns 2.15pm
• Our Lunchtime Sailing Cruise times are changing from December to March to minimise the time in the peak heat of the day for our crew and guests. From 1st December to 28 March, we will run the Lunchtime Sailing Cruises from 8.30 am until 12.30 pm.

Departure Instructions

• One of the crew will meet you on the corner of the Peppers Blue on Blue deck & next to the Car Ferry Ramp 15 minutes before the scheduled cruise start time.
• The deck is situated outside the restaurant at the Peppers resort, if you see chairs, tables and umbrellas you're in the right spot.
• DIRECTIONS TO MEETING SPOT FROM FERRY TERMINAL: When disembarking the ferry, turn left immediately (before the terminal building). Hug the foreshore walking across the car barge ramp to the deck area outside Peppers Blue on Blue Resort's restaurant.

Destinations

Magnetic Island

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

4 hours

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Return Ferry Transfers from Townsville: $35 (adult return)
• Return Ferry Transfers from Townsville: $17 (child return)
• Insulated Wine Glass: $35

Fitness Level Required

Medium

Additional Information

• Minimum numbers need to be reached for this tour to depart: Lunchtime Cruises – there is a minimum of six adults
• Dietary requirements can be accommodated if requested at the time of booking).

• Snorkel equipment - snorkelling is weather dependent)
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Flat white soled shoes
• Comfortable clothes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Insect repellant
• Camera
• Cash or credit card for additional purchases

• Child price applies to children aged 1 to 14.
• Infant below 1 travel free of charge.