• The most amazing snorkel and dive tour on the Great Barrier Reef is here for those who wish to see the Museum of Underwater ART on display on the famous Great Barrier Reef just off Townsville.
• This Museum of Underwater ART display is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere on the John Brewer Reef off Townsville. By the artist Jason deCaires Taylor this is a bucket list Great Barrier Reef tour not to be missed.
• This Museum of Underwater ART tour is suitable for both scuba divers and snorkelers alike. Children at 12 years old who are qualified divers are also welcome. Introductory divers welcome also and will be with a dive guide at all times.

Museum of Underwater ART is now accessible to scuba divers and snorkelers from Townsville Far North Queensland. Book a Great Barrrier Reef day tour to see this underwatert ART installation.

Departing from Townsville's Breakwater Marina and with pick ups from Magnetic Island visitors can now join a day tour that departs each Thursday to snorkel and scuba dive this magnificent ART work iniative.

Our Museum of Underwater ART reef trip takes us out to the central section of the reef to the John Brewer Reef which is rich in history, with a strong connection to our indigeous culture and marine tourism.

This underwater art installation is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and it acts to highlight reef conservation, restoration and education on a global scale.  

A beautiful blend of art, science, culture and conservation to create a thought-provoking encounter with the Great Barrier Reef and her inhabitants. 

 Departing from Townsville guests may join our small group tours as snorkelers, qualified scuba divers and introductory scuba divers and all can enjoy this underwater art museum together.

This just has to be one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours from Townsville as you get to see such an amazing underwater sight and you get to dive and snorkel some of the most pristine coral reef sites that are live with vibrant marine life and colourful corals, and the best thing is there are no crowds and our boat only caters for small groups of guests.    

What is the Museum of Underwater ART About?

Discover art works below the surface of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. 

Be inspired by the wonder of the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA). Departing from Townsville we head out to the Central Section of the Great Barrier Reef to being our day of exploration and inspiring the senses. 

The artworks installation site is located on John Brewer Reef which is rich in history and a strong connection to our indigenous culture and marine tourism. It's a beautiful blend of art, science, cutlrure and conservation represented by underwater installations.

The Coral Greenhouse – the first submerged building was designed by world-class artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

The greenhouse, which many people think of as glass walls filled with fruit or flowers instead boasts a beautiful mix of art and science. Trees, life-like sculptures, and coral gardens make this staggering 72m structure a wonderland for snorkelers and divers alike.

Surrounding the Museum of Underwater Art is an amazing coral reef bursting with a plethora of marine life. The bright and beautiful colours are the perfect backdrop for the museum and the location provides the perfect blend of man-made and natures art.

With plenty of reef nearby to explore and depths ranging from 1 to 20 metres, it is ideal for snorkelers, beginner and experienced divers.

On the reef, schools of bait fish are common as well as an abundance of colourful reef fish including Parrot fish, Maori wrasse, Clown fish, Angel fish. Turtles, Stingrays, White tip, and Black tip reef sharks are often sighted.

Spend a full day snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and visit the world-class Museum of Underwater Art. 

Both snorkelers and divers will be exhilarated by the experience with 10-15 metre visibility on the naturally protected coral reef.. 

Where is the Museum of Underwater ART Installation?

The Underwater Museum of ART installation is approximately 80klm offshore from Townsville in Far North Queensland on the John Brewer Reef.

The Coral Greenhouse sculptures are accessible on a boat tour from both Townsville and Magnetic Island. This reef trip takes approximately 2 hours to reach the dive and snorkel location out on the central section of the Great Barrier Reef.

How Can You Visit the Museum of Underwater ART?

The Museum of Underwater Art Board has
issued licenses for tour opertarors to ferry tourists to the Coral Greenhouse off John Brewer Reef, about
70km north of Townsville. Visitors can book
here for the next available tour.

MOUA Great Barrier Reef Tour Itinerary

07:00               Townsville passengers meet at the Townsville Breakwater Marina, located on the fueling wharf at the end of Mariners Drive

07:25               Depart Townsville

07:50               Passengers board from Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

09:00               Morning tea

09:45               MOUA and Great Barrier Reef site briefings

10:00               Arrive at Great Barrier Reef – John Brewer Reef (MOUA) site

10:20               Dive 1 / Snorkel 1

12:00               Lunch

13:00               Dive 2 / Snorkel 2

14:00               Depart site for Nelly Bay

15:00               Afternoon Tea

16:00               Arrive and disembark passengers at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

16:30               Arrive and disembark at Townsville Breakwater Marina

Please note that the above schedule is as a guide only, actual times on the day may vary.

See more dive and snorkel tours from Townsville here.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Townsville city

Departure Time

• 07.00 Townsville Breakwater Marina
• 0.750 Magnetic Island passengers board

Departure Instructions

• Townsville Breakwater Marina on the feuling wharf end of Mariners Drive
• Magnetic Island passengers meet at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

Pickup Locations

• Magnetic Island
• Townsville city

• Guests make own way to the boat departure point and be on time as the boat cannot wait

Destinations

Destination is the Underwater Museum of ART - John Brewer Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Thursday, Sunday

Check our calendar for departure dates - Departures are subject to passenger numbers and weather conditions - You are advised to book early to ensure you do not miss out due to small numbers on the boat

Duration

Full day tour - Approx 9 hours

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Guided Dives - compulsory for all divers with less than 10 logged dives. Approx $10
• PADI Adventure Dives - Approx $25 per dive
• Enriched Air Nitrox Approx $50 for 2 tanks (must be Nitrox Certified)
• Underwater Camera hire Approx $65 inlcudes SD Card

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

• All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance on dive and snorkel tours
• Cancellation/Reschedule By Customer Cancellation Fee 100% with less than 48 Hours notification
• Temporary Covid 19 Cancellation Policy - If you have been in contact with Covid 19 we will require a medical certificate for you to join the tour. If affected you may join the tour at another time or we will refund your tour outside 72 hours advance notice less any bank or merchant fees